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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Kia Soul

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Overview

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2013 Kia Soul Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

KBB Expert Rating: 7.3

When it launched in 2009, the Soul sparked Kia's design revolution, and the 2013 Kia Soul still makes no apologies for its funky looks and brash attitude. Rather, the Soul touts its youthful nature and is proud of its status as a low-cost alternative to hatchbacks and traditional economy cars. Bolstered by vibrant paint choices, well-equipped interiors, Kia's generous warranty and, yes, even those hamster pitchmen, the Soul has been a sales success for Kia. The Soul's design isn't quite as fresh as it was four years ago, but Kia's 5-passenger compact hauler still stands apart from angular rivals like the Nissan Cube and Scion xB with its athletic looks and refined powertrain.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a stylish, youthful car that boasts good fuel economy, lots of versatility, and many features for a low price, the Soul could be your mate.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The Soul may look part SUV, but with front-wheel-drive only and minimal ground clearance, its home is the pavement. If you need a compact vehicle that doesn't mind occasionally getting dirty and has the capacity to tow, look to a compact crossover like the Subaru Forester or Ford Escape.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.3
Driving Dynamics

7.1
Comfort & Convenience

6.9
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.1
Value

7.9
Safety

7.9

Consumer Rating

8.5 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

Changes are minimal for the 2013 Kia Soul a year after it received new drivetrains. Among the differences this year are a revised hood badge, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity and steering wheel-mounted audio controls now standard on base models with manual transmission.

Driving the Soul

Driving Impressions The Kia Soul is available in three trims – Base, Plus (+), Exclaim (!) – and offered with two different 4-cylinder engines. Base models use a small 1.6-liter, and all...

other models are propelled by a bigger and more powerful 2.0-liter. The base engine is adequate at accelerating the Soul, and not surprisingly, the bigger engine has an easier time getting this little 5-door vehicle up to speed. The Soul is no speed demon, but it's also not so slow that you'll dread freeway onramps. The recent addition of a 6-speed automatic transmission provides quieter and more fuel-efficient cruising, but needs to downshift sometimes two gears to get the car up inclines or to pass other vehicles. The driver's seat is relatively high and provides good forward visibility. Ride quality is still decent as in past Kia Souls, and sound deadening has improved from more insulation material.

Favorite Features

INFINITY AUDIO SYSTEM
The available 350-watt system is music to our ears, and for those who want visual pizzazz, speaker lights can pulse to the beat for an extra treat.

2-TONE LEATHER SEATING
This optional trim in sand and black gives the Soul's interior a more sophisticated feel, literally and figuratively.

2013 Kia Soul Details

2013 Kia Soul Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The Soul's eccentric exterior flows into the cabin, where bright colors and nifty features abound. At center stage is a large, surfboard-shaped dash module that houses the Soul's audio and climate functions. A 4.3-inch color touch screen display is available and lends more sophistication, as does optional leather seating. Kia dubs the Soul a "lounge on wheels" and has filled it with numerous cubby holes and storage spaces for a multitude of drinks and devices. Among the youth-centric features of the 2013 Soul are lights that envelope the speakers and that can pulsate in multiple colors to music. (This can be switched off as the novelty wanes). Rear legroom is commendable, and cargo room is good.

Exterior

The most noticeable thing about a Kia Soul is its shape, which you might liken to a sneaker on wheels. Unlike boxy cars such as the Nissan Cube and Scion xB, the 2013 Kia Soul has a forward-leaning stance and sloped rear windows and beltlines that lend an athletic stance. Big, trapezoidal headlights give character to the Soul's squat face, while long, vertical taillights do the same at rear on each side of the upward-opening hatch door. Other exterior design features vary by trim. Base models ride on 15-inch wheels, Plus models move up to 16-inch versions, and Exclaim models roll on 18-inch alloys.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

A base 2013 Kia Soul comes with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission (a 6-speed automatic transmission is optional), power windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, and Bluetooth connectivity with steering-wheel-mounted controls for the AM/FM/CD/satellite radio. Plus models add features like a bigger engine, tweeter speakers, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Top-line Exclaim models add 18-inch wheels, UVO Microsoft-powered infotainment system and Infinity audio, rear camera, power sunroof, 2-tone seating, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Like all new Kia vehicles, the Soul's powertrain is backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Optional Equipment

The Kia Soul can be nicely optioned up, with feature availability varying by trim level. Among the add-ons are heated front seats, a premium audio system with HD Radio, navigation, automatic climate control, and leather seating. An Eco package attains higher fuel economy with low-resistance tires and an engine start/stop system.

Under the Hood

Base models of the 2013 Soul use a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, while the higher-trim Plus and Exclaim models employ a more powerful 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Transmission choices are a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. All Soul models are front-wheel drive. We don't recommend trying to win any street races with the Soul, as mighty acceleration is not its forte. For those craving the best fuel economy in their Soul, a new Eco Package available in cars with automatic transmission stops the engine when idling to conserve fuel.

1.6-liter inline-4
138 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
123 lb-ft of torque @ 4,850 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/30 mpg (manual and automatic), 26/31 mpg (automatic with Eco package)

2.0-liter inline-4
164 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
148 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/29 mpg (manual), 23/28 (automatic), 24/29 mpg (automatic with Eco package)

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Kia Soul Base model has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $15,175. A top-of-the-line Exclaim version goes for $20,675 and can reach $24,000 with options. The Soul's starting price undercuts that of the Nissan Cube and Scion xD by several hundred dollars and the Scion xB by about $2,000. Be sure to check the Fair Purchase Price to see what buyers are actually paying for the Kia Soul. The Soul's resale value is expected to be very strong, and as good as or better than the Nissan Cube and Scion xB, depending on trim level.

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2013 Kia Soul Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 196 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.5/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

8.5/10
Comfort

8.6/10

Styling

9.0/10

Most Horrible Car I have Ever Owned!

By Shaun (MD) on Sunday, February 24, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: MPG, Cheap Interior, Engine Issues, Horrible Ride, Broken Audio System. - My approximate mileage is 4,250

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 1/10
Comfort: 1/10

Pros: "Good Sound System"

Cons: "Poor resale, Reliability, Slow, Ride quality, Cost"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I have owned 8 cars in my lifetime. The Soul is by far the worst. I decided to give in after people told me it was a good car for the money and was great on MPG. What a mistake! The car was in the shop 8 times in the 6 months I owned it. It has engine issues and idled rough every time I drove it. The ride was bumpy and you could feel every tiny dip in the road right into your drivers seat. The engine gears were sluggish and it felt like it struggled to get out of it's own way, especially uphill. Another draw for my was the UVO system with touchscreen and sound system. However, whenever I plugged my iPod into it, it made a popping noise that the dealer couldn't figure out. I found out it was wide spread among all of the cars and they said they would have a fix in a few weeks. 6 months went by and no fix, so I guess if you own one you live with it. I was disrespected multiple times when I called KIA for service at the dealer and on the phone, they acted like the car breaking down was my fault and were very ignorant to me. How this car can be voted as a best buy astounds me. I paid $21,900 when I bought it and 6 months later, I was only able to get $15,000 for it. SO BE WARNED... KIA cars have the crappiest resale values of any car and when you get rid of it (which you will), it will hurt your pockets the most. Don't trust your test drive in this car because the things that will make you hate it are the things you won't pick up on driving it the 2 miles the dealer lets you. I hope I saved you from making a huge mistake like I did."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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NOT JUST ANOTHER "compact clone" Hondarollacivic!

By OCsoulman (CA) on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Driving dynamics, quality, incredible paint."

Cons: "Hmmmm....nothing comes to mind!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"It's an interesting vehicle to drive, when is the last time you had a car that people actually walked by in a walmart parking lot and actually take notice of it? But thats NOT why people are flocking to the KIA dealers to snap them up. All age groups too..not just the initial targeted buyers...the young "urban" folks. But when we bought mine (our 3rd KIA within 1 year!) which is the 2013 Soul Exclaim, I saw a bunch of oldsters taking delivery of their brand new Souls...whe I asked them what made them decide on the Soul, universally it was comfort, roominess, fuel mileage, and VALUE! And the way KIA loads them up with standard equipment for the price is awsum! And top rated for safety and customer satisfaction. Plus the 10 year 100,000 warranty is icing on the cake!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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