Vehicle Spotlight: 2017 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is a much-loved champion of the small crossover segment. And it opens the New Year showing off some consumer-influenced performance upgrades for the 2017 turbo model. The 2017 Kia Soul is still rockin’ its characteristically square exterior, but other automakers should take note. “The Kia Soul turbo is dressed for the job it wants, not the job it has. Kia’s insistence on categorizing the Soul with crossovers from Nissan and Mazda has clear benefits,” said Car and Driver. “Its performance numbers put it near the top of that class; whereas it clearly lags behind the hot-hatch elite,” the magazine added.

Kia did add a few thoughtful styling tweaks to make the quirky but fun boxcar sleeker and more sophisticated. Consider this new ride a touch of jazzy class without compromising the fun factor.

Inside and Out

The 2017 Kia Soul features redesigned front and rear fascias with upgraded LED lighting, dual exhaust tips, red exterior badges and accent lines. Turbo-specific 18” wheels, a performance minded re-tailoring of the cabin’s plush seating and a new flat-bottomed steering wheel were done as well.

Furthermore, this model extends the consumer-friendly attitude to the interior’s UVO infotainment system. So now drivers can enjoy clear and intuitively placed controls, Apple and Android compatibility and audio-response mood lighting. There’s even a parking assistance service that can record a vehicle’s location and help find it via smartphone.

Under the Hood

Most noteworthy, Kia kicked it up under the hood. As a result, drivers reap power from the 1.6L turbo four-cylinder engine that delivers 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. “Turbocharging shaves 2.0 seconds from the Soul’s 0-60 mph time and 1.6 seconds from its quarter-mile run. Hitting the 60 mph milestone in 6.5 seconds makes it quicker than the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and even the Nissan Juke NISMO,” added Car and Driver.

The Soul’s turbo upgrade is borrowed from the Forte5 and the Forte Koup SX and is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This offers drivers the fun power boost they’ve been asking for all along. “Regardless of category, the squared-off Soul shames most subcompact crossovers and small hatchbacks in terms of practicality and interior space,” said Car and Driver. And we have to agree, with 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway fuel economy.

“The balance between comfort and outright handling ability is just right,” said AutoBlog. The 2017 Kia Soul serves up a reasonably priced and realistic everyday vehicle. And it packs some zip, too! Now all it needs is some snazzy aftermarket wheels.

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