I have a 2020 Kia Soul for just about a month or two. I'm almost six feet tall and 70 years old. I have a minimal range of motion, especially my knees & lower back. The headroom clearance has helped a lot with almost forty inches as well with leg rooms. It almost feels like a VW. I'm happy with my choice. Just loved my new SOUL!
@@YuriTereshyn The Soul is cool and all, but long live the Element! I love that to clean the floor in mine I just get a sponge mop and scrub it, so good
What I find funny about the Soul is the fact that Kia seemed to target young people with that desing but 95% of the people I see driving them in my area are over 50 years old!
As a tall young guy who appreciates headroom, it's honestly hard to beat. It's got a little higher ground clearance than most sedans, so ingress and egress is easy. Sloping roofs are aerodynamic but claustrophobic when the headliner is near your forehead. Alternative is to recline and ride like a gangster. Really wish we had more boxes to choose from.
Glad to see port injection. Nice. No carbon buildup concerns. Manual 6 speed, LX trim for the win. The new Soul will be an incredible value at the base price point, and aside from the GT turbo, the base stick shift model will be the most fun to drive.
@@GhostOfAMachine I agree. I have a 2021 LX 6 speed and I love it. Built in Korea and it shows; panel gaps, paint, fit and finish are top notch. The manual trans got me a huge dealer discount as nobody wants them. It’s a good shifting trans too! Paying less and getting a great transmission, does it get any better than that?
Got a black one of these (either a 2020 or 2021 LX) as a rental by chance (they were out of the smaller rentals that day) and I was so happy to have lucked out on this awesome car! I agree with everything SG says here in his review regarding space, handling, fuel economy, and acceleration. This did very well in the hills and mountains around the Bay area, and I had no issues zipping over those steep inclines or passing some slow pokes going into Oakland or SF. Even going downhill on some steep turns and switchbacks, the Soul felt composed and gripped the road like a pro. Visibility and riding position was great too since it's more of an upright position and since I am 53, I fit the older demographic that loves this car. If I buy this, I'll probably get the X/GT/EX model and skip the turbo. I do kinda like the plastic clad X and the 2 tone black/orange is to die for IMO. The green on the EX is cool too. Way to go KIA!
Non-GDI engine? CHECK.Non-turbo engine? CHECKManual tranny available? CHECKSensible controls? CHECK Practical vehicle? CHECKNot a bland transportation box? CHECK I think my wife may have found her next car. Thanks for the review!
Mark isn't alone in his affection for the Soul. My local KIA dealer LOVES them. I suspect they could install a vending machine in the showroom and sell them without a salesperson involved. And the appeal to multiple demographics is amazing. Aging baby boomers to millennials. Singles, couples, and small families. Those needing a versatile runabout to those who need to haul cargo or a couple of adults in the backseat on a regular basis. Our mail delivery person uses one and loves it. My brother-in-law rented a Soul last year to move a huge amount of stuff from his parents' home to a storage locker. He raved about its versatility. Souls are all over the place here in the Pacific Northwest and I've yet to meet any owner who doesn't love the vehicle. I'm somewhat surprised to see the various comments comparing it to the VW GTI. To me, a GTI owner, they're very different vehicles despite their similar size. I've owned two KIA's, both Sorento's, and I like the brand very much. But the driving dynamics of the Soul, even with the 1.6L turbo, simply don't compare to the GTI. Perhaps a regular Golf would be a better comparison. AWD? Given the size of the Soul and its intended mission, I suspect that a good set of winter tires would accomplish the requirement to face the challenges of messy conditions (at least here in the Pacific Northwest). And I suspect that KIA is more interested in bearing the additional weight and battery space required for the forthcoming Soul EV than in making the Soul a more conventional "crossover."
Just bought a used 2020 Soul X-Line with only 12k on the ODO, black on mars orange paint scheme, and some leftover factory warranty. So far I am very happy with it. Mark's quick review is spot on.
I just bought a brand new 2020 Kia Soul LX because I couldn't justify spending the extra money for stuff I don't really need. It's almost impossible to tell it has hubcaps due to the fact that they are lag bolted to the wheel so they won't fly off so it gives the illusion of an aluminum wheel. I have only owned it for a day so far but I am sold. The build quality, the looks, the engine, how quiet it rides, just everything about it. I would definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a practical "feels more expensive than it is" car. Kia and Hyundai for that matter are now on or in most cases above the industry standards (ie. Honda, Nissan, Toyota). For the price, you absolutely cannot beat it.
I'm ninety years of age, I have a 2012 Kia Soul, and I love it. I recently bought a full-size bathtub, and with it still in its carton, got it into my Kia Soul and closed the rear trunk door. However, I had to move the front seats so far forward I could not get in to drive the car. But, I got it in! Note to the reviewer: The started motor is a 'motor'. The car is driven by an engine. You're welcome! Bill
Kia is nailing it lately. They are super responsive to their clientele and take chances with their design elements. They have some really solid engineering going on and it's nice to see that it's just not cosmetic. I have an older model Sportage and hope you will review one of the newer models. This company has turned much more innovative then Honda and Nissan combined. Excellent review Sir!👍
The front end is very Audi-like, which is a good thing. I believe Kia hired some of their top design folks. It is getting hard to ignore Kia for at least a test drive for my next car/SUV.
A snow storm in Southern California- very strange, but what’s even stranger is how this channel is not over 1 million subs yet. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication you put into your videos. Keep up the good work Mr.Goose!
My Brother has a 2014 Soul and I got to say - it's an impressive ride. It's smooth, the direct injection makes it pretty peppy, it has TONS of room inside. This is def a quirky car but also a great daily driver!
Lol! Mark you can't escape the bad weather no matter what! Thanks for bringing the snowy weather from Illinois. We needed the moisture. We got snow here in Arizona yesterday.
@@bextar6365 No, that's weather. A better name for Global Warming is "Climate Change." What affects the overall climate to be warmer also screws up the other seasons. Climate is complicated. The "Polar Vortex" was also due to climate change. www.forbes.com/sites/kevinanderton/2019/01/30/the-polar-vortex-and-how-its-related-to-global-warming-infographic/
I literally love everything about Kia. They have a vehicle for EVERYONE... everything from the Forte, to the Stinger, to the Sorento. And in terms of quality for the price point, no one competes.
Dude you are like the number one channel to go to when it comes to buying your first car or thinking of trading up. You don't overcomplicate things by saying a bunch of shit no one fucking understands unless they are a mechanic, or Grease monkey. Most car review channels try and swing there word knowledge-dick around forgetting that people don't give two shits about your car vocabulary. You're a great communicator, and you don't bullshit. Keep the videos coming because we sure as hell enjoy them and use them for everyday car purchases.
You continue to be the absolute best in the biz buddy. Always informative and honest reviews that focus on real world applications and what buyers need to know. And always entertaining as all get out. Thanks for another great video! 👍🏼👍🏼
The Kia Soul also appeals to senior drivers. I love the ease of entry/exit, the cargo area, and how well put together the vehicle is for $20K. I rented a Soul S and drove it on a 800 mile business trip. The iVT transmission is probably one of the best CVT's I've ever driven. The 2.0L on paper looks like it would be underpowered, but in reality there was plenty of power at highway speeds and even reserve for passing. Very quiet interior at 70mph, too. Imagine the Kia Soul with the magic seat of a Honda Fit?
I actually really like the redesign. Front end definitely looks more aggressive. I wish they hadn't connected the tail lights like that in the back though, looks like a big goofy red loop. As far as driving dynamics, it's great to hear they improved the ride quality! If I was in the market for a new daily driver I would definitely be looking at this.
I thought I would find a comment like this. And yes I thought of the same thing you have. I really enjoy this guy quirky and maybe kinky easter egg content in his vids. I so much enjoy them. He may be a sick-oh but he is ok with us.
@@jhndijkman ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QDP-fcqf64k.html Did you see what he was doing at 14:51 in that video? That was disturbing.
Ha! I love it! Did you catch how he deftly, uh, grazed the parking brake lever with his fingertips? Oh, and catch his PT Cruiser vid .... it’ll bring back memories - if he were the girl you took to the Prom in 2002.
I had always thought the Soul was a kids car. When car shopping I happened to stand next to one and test drove it because the exterior was beautiful, and it looked well-made. It didn't drive at all like what I expected. It was quiet, smooth, had good power, even though it was a base model. I bought it, and over the course of the first month I was continually amazed at how beautifully made an inexpensive car could be. I've been more than pleased with my Soul. In my mind owning this car is having something special. And as a result I stay up on KIA and what they do. KIA has impressed upon me that they want to build very good cars, thus I find most other brands are lesser vehicles. In just about five years or so KIA has become extremely popular here in Connecticut. I have the feeling they will grow to be a major preferred brand. As well, I'm pleased to be supporting South Korea. Maybe Kim Jong Un in North Korea will take notice.
I love my KIA Rio 2015 LX+ sedan (Canadian trim) which I bought in its most basic form with a manual 6-speed, 138hp, front heated seats, AC, rear disc brakes, etc. I have racked up more than 70K and it still drive like when it was new...very good room for sub-compact class, nice peppy engine, fun, fuel efficient, very comfortable, very reliable, and still rattle-free! Very happy with it and have no regrets. Would probably be my last car in Canada, but I plan to buy this cute KIA Soul when I move back home.
I leased two of these Plus models in '13 and in '16. There was never a check engine light or any issues at all. All I did was oil changes and a occasional air filter. For 20k, it's the best bang for buck out there.
13:17 *_So, that's my take away from this car, and now it's time to give it a Doug score... Starting with the weekend category in styling the soul looks super quirky it gets a 10 out of 10_*
hilarious! i like both Savagegeese and Doug...for their different personalities. Thankfully, SG does not do a "Doug Score". SG keeps it real....with his own brand of humor snuck in.
Great video, man! I don’t care so much about the car, (although it looks GREAT compared to the previous gen, and Kia is really doing great things. [my wife just bought a new sportage, & we LOVE it]) but as a fellow creator, I love the production of your videos! They just look really good, & I love the modern fonts you’re using. Keep up the great work!
Great background music. Much better than the heavy metal guitar or dance club stuff on some channels. Music aside, that is one nice looking upgrade. Unique without being too unique. And yes, it's a shame more car makers don't make the seats stow better like they do in cars such as the Fit or the old Toyota Matrix. Thanks for pointing that out and giving a clear view of the cargo area with both seats down.
@@mezzb I used to see a lot of Elantras back in like 2010. Now it's almost all Focus and Golf/Jetta. Carolla, Civic, Sonic, and Cruze are all about equal for second place. (west side of Cleveland).
Most sedans these days have you basically sitting on the ground. If you want a higher seating position without going full suv then the Soul has that nailed. The only other car I am considering that has that quirkiness, fun, and ride height is the Mini Countryman but given the price difference that is hard to justify. Yes, cross shopping Soul versus Countryman, crazy. But, the choices for fun, ride height, and practicality are few.
I have a 2014 Soul+ and is with out a doubt it is the most trouble free car I have owned, In 75000 miles I have replaced one battery and one set of tires. This will probably be my last vehicle since I just turned 90. and by the way this is my 49th car. It is not garaged and I live in a hostile climate (Yuma, AZ 115 degrees is the fourcast for today) The paint still looks good.
Heres what I have found out owning 3 Souls. They are so different and stand out from all the other cars out there that there is HATE towards them. Just like a kid in school thats different even if they are a better person/vehicle than what they have/are. People pick on the "different" in this world and the Soul is just that no matter how good this car is it just will not make a difference to most. Only that select group will ever accept this car as greatness. Right now I stepped away from the Soul and own a Forte. Took me a long time to NOT MISS the Soul but I will forever be a Soulster at heart. Those who have never driven a Soul or a Kia for that matter are the ones that usually look down at them. It is sad because they do not know the enjoyment of driving and owning a Kia.
More video excellence. Thanks. Sorry about our crappy weather in CA that you experienced. Really good breakdown of this car's bones. Since Ford no longer makes anything I'm interested in, I guess I'm open to a Soul.
Good quick review. I do wish you talked more about the interior parts quality and the DCT behavior, but I realize it wasn’t a full review. On a side note, the rear load floor is flat if you put the cargo floor in the standard/higher position.
Very good job on this video review. I concur regarding the turbo unit - the Soul was never intended to be a "sport ute". Fact is, I bought a new 2021 GT-Line 2.0 yesterday...
Holy shit you are hilarious. Gf came running out of the shower in her birthday suit to ask why I always laughing so hard and I blamed it on you savagegeese. Thanks for making me have to go through that awkward moment
I'll bet it would have more of a soul with three pedals being offered in the 1.6T. Would even consider it if it did. missed opportunity. thanks for the review.
Kia has come a long way, they are making very beautiful cars nowadays. And they are reliable with 7 years warranty. I'd get one for everyday drive, the cerato gt
It looks too much like a Volvo/CRV on the back, and Malibu on the front. The previous design still looks great, even today. This one will age quickly. Love the review, Mark. This one felt very fresh and different. It's the setting, the B shots of many Souls at once, and the musical score too.
I'm so torn on this car. The build quality was very impressive, but with the new Forte or the other new hatchbacks in Hyundais lineup, I don't think I'd ever park one of these in my driveway. I'm still glad Kia makes a car like this, and I hope this does well for them.
It looks like Atlanta. We seriously have been blanketed by rain for weeks. If I hear the word "Hotlanta" this summer, I'm going to scissor kick someone in the eyeball. As for the car... Umm, can I just say that I...actually really like it. Is that weird? Tell me I'm not alone, people!
Great Review Man. That is some crap about snow in San Diego...Didn't know that was a thing ever in that part of the country. Oh well. I really like this Soul.
I like the addition of the specific model name/number and price in the driving impressions intro. IMO Kia is the only car maker to get the "boxy" thing right. I recently bought a new Mazda3 hatch, but the Soul was second on my list...
Really glad the seats seem to be comfortable this gen. I've ridden in the previous one a few times which was ok for short drives . But driving 3-5 hrs in a rental, the front seats maybe was the most uncomfortable I've experienced in any car.
I’m a big fan of everything Kia is doing, I am old school and hate cars that don’t have physical parking breaks. I also love the simple rotary dial climate controls. Now if the auto makers could go back to sticking the infotainment screens back in the dash as opposed to the ugly iPad glued on top of the dash that would be perfect. I like the Mazda’s and Hyundai’s but those screens glued in the middle of nowhere really bother me which is why I went with a 2018 Santa Fe over a 2019 Santa Fe.
People liked the PT Cruiser too! You have to be a special type of person to buy that 25k version, when you could be getting something like a CX-5 for the same price.
Can you please show the rear with the lights on next time? Saw about 20 shots of the front but nothing on the rear, had to go to another video to see the rear :/
I love how the front end looks, would definitely consider it if it had any form of decent trunk space. I have to haul a wheelchair occasionally and there'd be no way Id get one in there unless I folded the seats down and then that'd mean I couldn't have any rear passengers.
My Previous car was a 2010 4U soul that i kept for 5 years and really enjoyed it. I bought it from my father and he was sad when he sold it to buy a RAV4 that he have no love (nor hate) for. This is what personnality can do to cars. I really liked it for short trip in town but i didn't liked it that much on long trip on the road due to noise. It was very noisy. I recall taking call and having to max out the call volume and was barely able to hear people talking. So if it's quieter, that is a very good plus. I bought a Santa Fe 2019 because i wanted more space as we didn't had enough on the Kia Soul and also, because i wanted Adaptative Cruise control and AWD. The AWD case is maybe one of the reason people do not buy more this car here in Canada where it's really useful if you live in a region with hill or mountain. I wonder if they could fix it buy putting an electric motor in the rear drivetrain. In reality, you only need AWD at low speed anyway. That could be a nice Hybrid or even a nice full Electric. My wife is looking to get the Electric version in 2-3 years if it's good.
