Kia Soul EX 2024 Price, Release Date, Specs – The 2024 Kia Soul is a five-seat hatchback with a front-wheel drive that may be sold as a crossover. It competes with the Toyota C-HR, Nissan Kicks, and Hyundai Venue because it is stylish, fuel-efficient, and affordable. The Kia Soul covers its low-cost beginnings with a boxy exterior and a chopped roof. It has a nose like other Kia cars, with small LED headlights on higher models and a almost impossible to read logo.
This year, the previous X-Line edition’s ungainly add-ons have been removed, leaving a beautifully contoured body with an increasing number of lines as it nears completion. Compared to the first Soul, the black trim on the rear pillars and the many cutlines on the tailgate makes the car look crowded, but they are still attractive.
2024 Kia Soul Redesign
The manual transmission has gone, but the cheapest 2024 Kia Soul EX hatchback now comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The optional Technology Package for the Soul LX consists of automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control. Other models have a 10.3-inch touchscreen, keyless start, and wireless smartphone charging. LX, S, EX, and GT-Line trim levels are available for the Soul. They all fall on the right side of the border between charming and vulgar. We like the Soul’s crisp, lively external appearance and uncomplicated, spacious cabin.
Most Souls are equipped with a 2.0-liter, 147-horsepower inline-four engine, and a continuously variable gearbox. Even though it is not very speedy, it boasts a combined fuel economy of up to 31 miles per gallon. The 201-hp turbo-four engine is paired with an unstable dual-clutch 7-speed automatic gearbox that judders significantly at low speeds. The Soul’s above-average ride quality and heavy steering warrant a higher rating.
The Soul can accommodate five passengers if necessary. All rear-seat occupants will have big head and leg room, but shoulder space will be limited. With a maximum storage capacity of 62.1 cubic feet, the Soul is routinely (and rightly) used as a highly practical two-seater—a Millennial Pack ‘N Play. The NHTSA gives the Soul four ratings for crashworthiness, although Soul LX hatchbacks are not equipped with automatic emergency braking unless additional dollars are invested.
Interior
With a wheelbase of 102.4 inches and a body length of 165.2 inches, the Soul has a maximum load capacity of 62.1 cubic feet behind two people. It is a lovely place to spend a few hours that is virtually ruthlessly efficient. It scores a 6 for convenience and comfort, with an additional point for storage space. The Soul’s front seats are comfortable and spacious enough for the majority of adults. Premium Souls are equipped with power-adjustable seats, whilst the bulk of Souls are manually adjustable. The seats are not very comfortable but are adequate for the majority of passengers.
For short trips, it is possible to fit three adults across the back seats. The rear seats are large enough for two 6-foot-tall people. With the back seat folded down, the Soul can accommodate much more stuff, up to 24.2 cubic feet. It has a high cargo floor, in addition to a big entrance and a retractable cargo shelf. We’d expect more from its inside if it cost more, but at less than $20,000, the Soul’s entry-level model has an acceptable level of materials. We like the better fabric in the mid-range Souls and the synthetic leather in the priciest variants.
Engine
Kia provides the Soul with both turbo and non-turbo engines, and it is clear which one imparts the vehicle with a more spirited attitude. Driving a soulless car is a hassle, but base models are just that: fundamental. We give it a 5 for performance in the middle. The base 2.0-liter inline-four engine generates 132 lb-ft of torque and sends it through a continuously variable gearbox to the front wheels (CVT). A year ago, Kia offered a manual transmission, which it has now abandoned. This configuration is desirable since it does not create excessive power or pressure on the front wheels, yet it is adequate for zipping through city traffic. On interstates, it’s best to plan uphill passes, and we would use the Sport drive mode to add weight to the steering to help the car stay in its lane, even though the steering already seems heavier than that of similar hatchbacks.
The Soul rides admirably on any terrain, particularly with the bigger 18-inch wheels seen on better-equipped models. The EX-Line Soul’s 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends 195 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Advertisements and specifications make the power plant seem great, but it has a drawback: clunky shifting at low speeds. It shifts hesitantly at city speeds and seems awkward in stop-and-go traffic. The turbo-4 doesn’t change the way it drives so much that shift quality can be ignored.
2024 Kia Soul Release Date and Price
The Soul EX is available for $22,665 with active safety features, luxury cloth upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, and keyless ignition. Price-wise, the item is a steal. The Soul GT-Line Turbo has a turbocharged engine, synthetic leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, light-up speakers, and a heads-up display. At a price of $28,965, we would definitely consider the diminutive all-wheel-drive Kia crossovers.