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The 2023 Kia Soul is coming this summer and it is bringing a lot of interesting novelties. That’s no wonder if we consider that this will be the fourth production year of the generation, which seems like perfect timing for a mid-cycle update. Novelties are coming in various aspects but the main updates are those in terms of the styling, as well as those changes under the hood. On the other hand, the overall layout remains the same.
The most notable changes are those in terms of styling. The next year’s model is bringing an updated face, with new headlights, grille etc. On the other hand, the interior design remains largely the same, though there are some nice novelties regarding tech features. Finally, you may expect big changes under the hood, as the turbo-four engine won’t be available anymore.
According to the latest reports, the 2023 Kia Soul will hit the market in the summer.
2023 Kia Soul Design
The current generation of Kia’s small crossover has been around since 2020 and the 2023 Kia Soul will represent the fourth production year. Therefore, it’s no wonder it receives a mid-cycle update. Naturally, most of the changes are in terms of styling. You can notice a new face, characterized by the new shape of headlights, a more prominent grille, a new bumper, etc. Also, you can notice new sets of wheels, with 17 and 18 inches in diameter.
On the other hand, the mechanical aspect of the vehicle remains largely the same. The 2023 Kia Soul will continue with the same chassis and suspension setup, which is a little bit on the firm side. As a result, handling is pretty good and the level of athleticism is decent as well, though far from the Mazda CX-30’s level. The trade-off comes in terms of a little bit firm ride.
Interior
Interior changes aren’t numerous, though there is an available digital instrument cluster that looks really nice. Most of the dashboard looks the same and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some areas feature soft-touch materials but most are wrapped with hard plastics. Still, everything looks solid and durable.
Still, the Soul’s key strength isn’t the quality, but rather the amount of space. Thanks to its boxy shape, there is plenty of headroom in both rows, while the legroom is pretty good too. As a result, both rows accommodate adults with ease. The front seats also offer decent comfort and support, while the driving position is high and provides great visibility in all directions.
The cargo area is also very generous. It offers around 24.2 cubic feet of space behind the back row and 62.1 cubic feet, which are some of the best ratings in the class.
Features
When it comes to standard and available features, the base model comes with a smaller 8-inch infotainment screen, while all but the base model come with a massive 10.25-inch unit. The optional touchscreen isn’t just bigger, but also comes with various infotainment upgrades, such as SiriusXM satellite radio, real-time traffic updates, in-dash navigation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Base models will also come standard with goodies like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Among upgrades, expect to find things like a Harman Kardon premium audio system, dual-zone climate control, a sunroof, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, extra USB ports etc.
When it comes to safety, the list of standard equipment will be notably expanded, with things like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane change assist etc.
2023 Kia Soul Engine
One of the biggest changes that come with this update is in terms of powertrain. The optional 1.6-liter turbo-four with 201 horsepower has been dropped from the offer. So, the good-old 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated unit remains the only one available. It will power all versions and send power through a CVT gearbox.
The overall performance is okay, though far from great. The best way to describe Soul’s performance is to call it a decent daily commuter. It runs well, is reliable and also offers decent fuel economy. Speaking of the fuel economy, you may count on about 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is about average for the segment.
2023 Kia Soul Release Date and Price
We expect to see the 2023 Kia Soul on sale this summer, with a starting price of around 21.000 dollars. Models like Jeep Renegade and Chevrolet Trailblazer are some of the key competitors.
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