Used 2016 Kia Soul

The 2016 Kia Soul 5-door wagon is truly one of a kind. A modern and expressive exterior is matched by a well-appointed interior offering features not found on some midsize and near-luxury models. The boxy design maximizes interior room, while the fuel-efficient engine makes the Soul an easy choice for the budget-conscious. The Soul offers more room and standard features than the Fiat 500L or Mini Cooper Countryman, although it lacks an all-wheel-drive option. There’s also an all-electric version for the environmentally minded. Beyond its hip good looks and catchy ad campaign (we know you’ve seen the dancing hamsters by now), the Soul offers solid affordable transportation with an amazing 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, all for a price starting under $17,000.

Thanks to its stiff chassis and firm suspension, Kia’s 2016 Soul 5-passenger hatchback feels solid and predictable. At highway speeds the cabin remains fairly quiet, although there is still some noticeable tire noise on rough surfaces. Over bumps and dips, the Soul feels a bit stiff, but the suspension isn’t as jarring as in a Mini Cooper. We found the driver-selectable steering option more of a gimmick than a useful tool. The normal setting felt best, although none of the three settings returned the type of responsive steering feel found on a Mazda3 or Fiat 500L. As for acceleration, the Soul doesn’t have the muscle to placate enthusiast drivers, but with the larger 2.0-liter engine under the hood, we found passing and straight-line acceleration to be adequate. The Soul EV electric wasn’t much better, although it is impressively quiet and handles similarly to its gasoline counterpart.

The 2016 Kia Soul features a 2-row, 5-passenger cabin whose looks and functions improve as you climb the three trim levels, from cloth seats in base models to available Nappa leather in top-line versions. The 2016 Soul does an admirable job of blending practicality and whimsy. This hatchback’s boxy shape and folding rear seats make it surprisingly spacious, while features such as speaker lights that pulsate to the beat are nothing if not different. The optional panoramic sunroof is an unexpected treat in such an economy car. The electric Soul features bio-friendly materials and an efficient organic LED instrument screen.

The Kia Soul for 2016 retains the original’s tall, rectangular profile, but stays fresh thanks to a reworked front end and tall taillights. The Soul’s tall profile offers function in addition to fashion. Along with abundant headroom and luggage space, the high roof allows for raised seating positions and good visibility for all inside. Top-line models further stand out with LED turn-signal indicators in the side mirrors, projector-beam headlights and LED taillights. The Soul electric car sets itself apart with a hidden charging port up front and 2-tone paint schemes that are now optional on the gasoline-powered Soul.

UVO eSERVICES
Kia’s suite of infotainment apps is known as UVO and its eService package includes such must-haves as Bluetooth phone pairing, navigation, Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score (those last features are especially helpful when keeping track of how the kids drive your car).

VENTILATED FRONT SEATS
You can’t even find these in most upscale sedans, yet the 2016 Kia Soul offers cooling front seats to help keep your backside dry when the outside temperature soars.

For 2016 the Kia Soul comes in three trims: Base, Plus (+) and Exclaim (!). The Base trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 6-way manual-adjust driver’s seat, power windows and door locks, Bluetooth wireless technology, and 6-speaker audio with USB input. Plus models add a larger engine and automatic transmission, cruise control, keyless entry and upgraded cloth trim. The Exclaim includes 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, power-folding outside mirrors, Kia’s UVO eServices, leather seating, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. EV models have an 8.0-inch touch screen with navigation and a suite of EV-centric controls.

Upgrades vary by trim level but include an 8.0-inch touch-screen display and navigation, rearview camera, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, LED interior lighting, push-button start, panoramic sunroof and automatic climate control. Premium tunes can be heard via an Infinity audio system with a prominent center speaker. Drivers looking to eke out maximum fuel efficiency have the option of the Idle Stop & Go system, which cuts engine power when the vehicle is stopped, such as at traffic signals. Lane-departure and forward-collision warning are now part of the Exclaim’s Premium Package.

Two 4-cylinder engines are available in the 2016 Kia Soul. Base models come with a 1.6-liter, while the two higher trims use a larger and more powerful 2.0-liter. All Kia Souls are front-wheel drive, and all except the base model come with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Base models use a 6-speed manual (the automatic is optional). The Soul EV uses no gasoline at all, but rather an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. Range is estimated to be 93 miles per charge, which is expected to take from 24 hours on a 120-volt outlet to under five hours on a 240-volt outlet. A DC fast-charging unit can offer an 80-percent charge in about 30 minutes.

1.6-liter inline-4
130 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
118 lb-ft of torque @ 4,850 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4
164 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
151 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg

AC synchronous electric motor
27kWh lithium-ion battery pack
109 horsepower
210 lb-ft of torque
EPA-estimated range per full charge: 93 miles
EPA city/highway fuel economy equivalent: 120/92 mpge