Hi Everyone! I know you're not all big fans of tiny hatchbacks....but I am. So I hope you'll give the Kia Soul a change. I really, loved having this rental. And let me know what you think of the new POV style test drive segment. I'm using a GoPro attached to my head now rather than holding my DSLR camera in one hand. It's safer. And in my opinion is smoother and easer to watch. But, that's just my opinion. If you hate it, I'll stop using it. Anyway, hope you're safe and well. And thanks for checking out my video. Cheers!
Thanks and I hope you’re safe and well too! I personally love the way you’re doing the driving footage now! Also, the audio was ten times better than the last review!😸
Please stay safe use the gopro or get a mount for your camera. I was in a car accident over 12yrs. ago and never treated. I have certain issues that were know about but not treated because of the crooked company I worked for.
I just returned a Kia Soul to the car rental today while my Sentra was in the body shop for about a month. I loved it! Strongly considering selling the Sentra and buying a Soul for all the reasons you mentioned. Great little cars, solidly built, fun to drive, loads of storage, even if they are weird-looking.
I'm shocked you're only getting a few hundred to a thousand views per video. Between the amazing timestamp work you do, your focus on the things a regular person would care about, relatable commentary about things like body roll and passing power, and great camera angle, I don't know how your channel hasn't exploded yet. You're like TheTropher but for regular people who aren't car enthusiasts. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! I really appreciate the kind and supportive comments. And TheTopher is really blowing up lately, right? I'm a big fan, I like how mellow and slow (in a good way) his videos are. Anyway, have a great night!
Howdy, great review as always Jerry! I have to say, I’m a huge fan of the Soul and really cannot recommend it enough! Also, for anyone curious, this one is towards the bottom, so you can get heated and vented seats, built in Navi, heated rear seats, a center armrest in the back, a heated wheel, and everything if you climb the trim latter! Enterprise just didn’t do that!
I have come to realize that the type of tire that comes with a car makes a ton of difference in handling. I got summer tires for my Yaris (not known for handling) and it has made a huge diff in how it handles curves and even lane changes are now a lot crisper than when I had the all season rubber.
Yup! And for anyone who's not sure where to start, go to TireRack.com for tire reviews. Grand Touring All Season tires have acceptable grip, but lean toward comfort and noise reduction + they can make the car feel boaty, especially around corners. Ultra High Performance All Seasons are very similar to the Grand Touring, but they sacrifice some comfort for much better traction and handling (no more boaty feeling around corners). Summer tires can be uncomfortable and loud, but they have incredible grip and handling. I personally always recommend Ultra Higher Performance All Seasons - they're the best blend of everything :)
@@thecommenter4933 If you look online, you can find affordable summer tires that are not high performance, just summer tires with better grip and wet weather capabilities. Those super performance ones don't even come in my size. I live in Fla, have no need for all season tires.
Great to be back to my favorite Non Hyped Car Reviewer. May I suggest using your phone to do decibel ratings? There are many that are simple and accurate. I think it’s kind of fun too. I find that most Hyundai / Kia new cars the Lane Keep is better then most including luxury makes. You make a great point about “What more do you want/need?” I use to laugh when I seen seniors driving the Kia Soul, I use to think they were trying to be hip. When you look at the actual space and practicality of the vehicle wrapped in a package that is upbeat and makes you smile I can see why it appeals to all kinds of people. And the loaded ones have everything from heated and cooled seats heated leather wrapped wheel, cool lighting and upgraded Info Screen, UVO Connect. Or Spend under $20K for one like you’re driving here.
Thanks for the great comment Gene. I really like the decibel rating idea. I'll play around with it and see if I can fit it into my next review. I think it should make for a great comparison tool rather than me just saying..."yes, it sounds pretty good."
Compared to my 2016 Soul the 2021 S is really quiet. Glad I bought the S trim with all the electronic "nanny" features. And thanks Gene, I'm 70 years old and gray around my hamster whiskers. :- )
nice review, i like the go pro. please call out rpm at various speeds. please try music on the stereo too, classical or sinatra are my choices. it’s great that you review lower trims and dont just spit out statistics. how does this 2020 compare with the 2018 that you reviewed two years ago? thanks and keep up the fine work!
Only the EX and Turbo trims have the huge screen. We just did a POV driving review of an S trim and found the smaller screen perfectly fine. One advantage of the smaller screen is it has a matte finish so it does not show fingerprints.
I am torn between buying a 2020 Kia Soul S or a 2020 Toyota Corolla LE. It's so hard to decide. I have admired the cute Kia for quite a awhile, but am torn between the better gas mileage and reliability/resale of the Toyota vs. the Kia. Also, I personally like the flexibility of the hatchback. I plan to make this my commute vehicle, but also as a car for my teenagers to their respective jobs/internships etc. I know you mentioned the slowness of the Corolla, but I did find the quiet cabin and soft ride of the Corolla appealing (I'm not a spring chicken anymore ...). Which car did you prefer on the interstate?
For a younger driver you just cannot beat the visibility and easy driving of the Soul. The hatch area is better than the Corolla also. Toyota does have that reliability going for it but you may be able to get a better deal on the Soul. We prefer the Soul over the Corolla for price, visibility, and driving. We just did a POV review on the S trim on our channel and think the S trim is a great deal.
@@BeyondTheTestDrive - Thanks for reply. I agree visibility is important, and the hatchback offers more convenience for my Costco runs over the sedan. Unfortunately I procrastinated and the prices now are crazy for both new and used cars!! Should have bought last winter when I could pick up a used one from AVIS for around $13,000!!! I think I'll wait now to see how prices move over the next year since it is not urgent. Still driving my 2008 Toyota Sienna with 180,000 miles and going strong!!!
I have a 2020 Soul EX and I love, love,love it! It’s so easy for my 76 year old self to get in and out of the vehicle. I can raise or lower my seat as needed with the power driver’s seat. When on a trip to the Ozarks last year, my little Soul got 41 mpg. Wow! I average 32-34 mpg around town and 38-40 mpg highway. I was amazed at how much “stuff” I could put in it with the seats folded down. My kitty travels with me which requires almost as much “stuff” as would be needed for a baby. Yes, she is spoiled. I have no regrets about my purchase of my Kia Soul EX. I moved from a Buick Roadmaster sedan to my Soul and loved the difference. It’s fun to drive, gets great mileage and is super easy to park. In my opinion, it’s a great vehicle for young drivers and older drivers.
Love this car, but gas mileage is pretty mediocre compared to other cars in its class. However, if you think of it as a RAV4 or CRV alternative, I guess it's somewhat competitive. Yeah, the aerodynamics of a brick don't help fuel economy.
Baloney ! The 2020 and 2021 have plenty of pep and can keep up with or exceed anything selling for under $30 K. If you want a racing car, meh, buy a racing car.
@@ciaraj6002 It's a dog eat dog world out there so just had to be sure. You seem like a nice person so I'm sure you would never steal my sister's man even if you're single.
The Soul is one of my favorite cars at the Hertz Gold counter. I've actually considered buying one. Its also a great car for the mobility impaired - high hip point, huge doors for easy access, and a low cargo load floor 😀 👍
Former hertz manager here. You would be surprised how many people leave hating this car but return saying how much fun it was to drive and how much they enjoyed it
@@dannyp9033 i frequently rent out of the same Hertz location... the staff knows me and often saves a Soul especially for me. Great service, but a damn shame that Hertz went bankrupt... my local Hertz staff almost all left....
Love your review we own a 2020 Kia soul S. and we love the car .What I liked you didn’t go with the GT like all the other reviews this is the car most people buy.
I give my'16 Soul five stars as well for the reasons you've shared in yoir review. The tires are probably the reason you feel some lack of traction as speed increases, better tires replacing factory original are the cure. The Soul is built to be obtainable and is the only box on wheels still being sold, the others discontinued for slow sales. You have a lower trim grade, Kia expanding the selection. Some amenities require a higher trim. No, they don't combust. All cars leave the factory with defects, the leaking fluid causing small amounts of fires is being addressed. Leave the muck raking at home. When asked about my Soul, I encourage people to buy them, they are trouble free and require no major maintenance expenditure until 60, 000 miles. I'm pleased with my Soul, its not pretentious, gets good mileage and top occupant protection ratings.
This helped me and my wife decide on trading our nissan versa in ,I'm picking up my 2020 soul today ,we test drives and it was exactly what this video showed ,very smooth , sensible ride
Thanks for your thorough review of the 2020 Kia Soul S. I bought one four weeks ago from Avis Car Sales and I wasn't looking to buy one. I was shopping for a Mazda CX5 or a Ford Escape, something in that area. I remembered renting a 2019 Kia Soul last year and was pleasantly surprised with it. I enjoyed driving it. So when I started compare pricing of used vehicles, the Soul was coming in at least $1800 to $2500 cheaper. I've had 4 Mazdas in a row but you know we are in a pandemic recession so I'm all about saving money. Avis Car Sales has the Ultimate Test Drive program where you can test drive the car of your choice for 2 hours or rent it for $45 a day for three days. If you decide you want it you keep it and the details are worked out over the phone. I test drove a 2019 which I would have gotten but it needed a new paint job. Too many nicks and scratches. But I was sold on the Kia. I found my 2020 all-black S model at the Avis Car Sales lot later that afternoon which had a little more than 30,000 miles on it. So far, all I have used it for is running a little bit around town and going back and forth to work. I prefer driving on the interstate in Sports mode. I'm planning a longer weekend drive soon. So far, I don't regret my choice. Sorry Mazda.
Love your videos. I'm surprised by the dislike some people have for this car. It is a lot of car for the money, and the warranty should reassure the people who complain about Kia quality, which I'd argue actually rates higher than many other makes.
I own a 2020 Soul LX. Bluetooth works with the voice button as well as Apple CarPlay. Plus I get better than the EPA mileage. I HATE the engine shut off at stop signs. I forget to disable it constantly. My one gripe.
Thanks for a great, detailed review. I bought this exact car (except a 2021) a few weeks ago and it’s been great so far, including a long (2500 mile) road trip. Much more responsive than I anticipated, especially in Sport mode.
One of the best values and most fun to drive compact cars compact cars on sale now. Crazy to think it’s a Kia Soul. But this is what happens when a team of designers and engineers work (and are allowed) to make something people want to drive vs something that just meets a price point and a spec sheet with enough gadgets and plastic chrome trim to make it look expensive.
I rented a 2021 Kia Soul S from Enterprise and drove it from OKC to KC. Tons of room, adequate power, decent gas mileage, great turning radius. You can set the largest rollaround suitcase on its wheels and still be able to see out the rear window. Perfect for tight city parking garages.
why haven't I seen this is my RU-vid recommended before? excellent videography/editing and very well done reviews. thanks for putting so much work into your videos!
There is a 2019 parked outside right now, I prefer the 2020 the body design is definitely an improvement. One or two minuses(no dual ac for back, no extra charging area, no adequate cup areas in back) are not bad. The engine has gotten better over time. Oh forgot in hatch there's an auxiliary plugin this one, I love this keyfob compared to some others better improvement.
There was no part missing in the storage area. The "floor" lifts out and slides into the upper grooves. It gives you the option to have a deeper area for groceries at the tail (which I love) or a flat storage for larger items.
Sorry, not so. The S trim doesn't come with the upper cargo floor. It's included on the EX and ( I believe the Turbo ). I had to buy it for $160. SKU:G158 | 85715 K0000 . But great deals $3-4 K below MSRP right now ( April 2021 ). Buy an S trim for $18.2 + tax + app fee + mv $20 K out the door. Buy winter tires if you live in snow country. Then great in snow too.
That car was in pretty good shape for a 13k mile rental. Have 2021 LX 6 speed and love it. Good gas mileage, holds a ton of stuff and so far dead reliable.
I know this video is from 3yrs ago, but I just recently purchased a 2020 and a 2021 KIA Souls GT LINE, and I’m impressed I get between 28 and 32mpg I really like this little hatchback easy to maneuver in small parking lots.
I have a 2016 kia soul and I have much more space on the sides. It looks like they added two curved areas to the left and right in the cargo area that takes up a lot of space. With my 2016 kia soul you can put a blow up mattress for two people in it, but with these stupid plastic things make the space more narrow. Am I going crazy? No one else is mentioning this. I convinced my mom to buy a 2020 kia soul without realizing that they changed this.
I have been looking for a small car and the 2020 kia soul was on the list. Except that many of the people that own this car are complaining about the motor burning oil after just 40,000kms that's a deal breaker for me.
Great review! Unfortunately many folks live out in the country where roads are rough and full of holes. I wish reviewers would get off the freeway and drive some of them because they can really shake down a car
Well I guess I should update on my 2020 Soul S. And it's no longer with us 2 weeks ago I was in an accident with mine and she was totaled in the accident not my fault though it just sucks... So don't worry all Soul is a safe car. And I did was do the safety recalls gas and regular oil changes.
I like these, but I think that, after a little over a decade of being on sale, car shoppers have gotten past the "Box Car" phase, and these aren't the hot thing anymore. But they're still good cars.
Nice! I agree, I do love the changes they've made on the 2020, but the 2015 is just as fun. Congrats on your purchase. I bet you'll be happy with it for years to come. Happy New Year!
in sport mode yes you can here the engine moan a little more on the highway when u put it in sport and it great for in the ponding on the roads in heavy rain
I had a 2011 Kia Soul! and loved it. I literally beat it to DEATH! That thing got me and my entire family from the east coast to the west coast and putted around in some VERY NASTY snow storms without too much of an issue. Now I'm looking for a car for my mom and I think this might be the one! Also, thank you for making this video!! I've spent a lot of time at car dealerships over the years and videos like these have become part of how my family shops for and ultimately purchases cars. I really loved this video and how in depth you went all the way to very end. Super cool and affordable car. Super helpful and detailed video.
Nice video. I recognized the plumbers truck and then I realized your were rolling up the Diehl Rd.-raceway. Long time fan of the channel. It's interesting (to me) what some folks leave behind in the rentals.
Thank Rick. Yep, good eye, that is Diehl. There's a nice corporate area nearby that I do most of my test drives. It's perfect and, since the pandemic, nearly empty. Anyway, thanks for watching my videos and for the kind words. Have a great night!
my mom has a 2020 lx so it basically only has auto start stop and traction but the thing i don’t like is it takes about 20 minutes to warm up when it’s like below 45 degrees outside but overall it’s a good car we only have 4900 miles on it and we got it brand new off the lot
I have a 2020 Kia Soul GT line and I will tell you that I have had nothing but problems with it. 8 months after I bought it the transmission went out on it, I’ve had a number of recalls one being a recall on the piston rings and know someone who had the piston ring problem and their engine caught fire in their garage burning down their garage and destroying the car. I’m absolutely unhappy and dissatisfied with the 2020 models. Had a 2012 Kia Soul base model for 7 years and had no recalls or mechanical problems with it. Will never buy another soul.
Man you have such a pleasant review voice. Almost reminds me of Mr. Rogers hahahaha you should think about creating a separate channel to help people sleep by reading stories or something idk 😂😂😂 thanks for the review. I’m getting this rental and I’m going to sleep.
I’m thinking ok getting this exact car (same yr and model). Do you think it has good visibility? As someone with only one eye, that’s very important to me.
The higher privacy panel is not missing, the floor in the trunk has two settings. A higher one that you can store something under or the upper tray level . Your rental was I. The factory lower setting track
wow. great review. extremely honest and helpful. I was really thinking about getting the Soul for my next vehicle. This review makes me really want to get it now. Thanks!
The one he is driving has the 2.0. We just did a POV review of the Soul and really liked the 2.0 with the CVT. No need for the turbo. The turbo really only adds speed at the expense of driving smoothness.
I've had the LX 2020 for a year now. One observation. On mixed highway/city driving, with about 90% highway, I was hitting 38-39 MPG without breaking a sweat or being a hyper-miling weenie. After an engine computer module software (firmware?) update a few months after purchase, mileage dropped to 37-37. After a second ECM update last week I'm back to 38-39 MPG. I do note that RPM's are also lower again during freeway cruising. I wonder it this was related to the recall for oil rings that are too hard/brittle - increasing the RPM temporarily until they could identify the Soul's that needed an engine replacement (lower RPM actually put more pressure, not less, on the engine).
My wife had a 2015 Limited Edition Soul, I am turning in my leased Rogue in a few months. I going to get another Soul. I have 4 blizzak snow tires on really hot 16 inch spoked wheels.
My wife had a 2015 Limited Edition w 18 inch wheels, I got 16 inch wheels, black spokes, and Bridgestone winter tires, and it was then fine in snow. I loved the car.
Really appreciate the review. I watched it after I already bought this exact car. Rented a 2018 for a trip and they took away a few features on the 2020 that I liked. Round taillights, Soul name on the sides, could put items on driver door-now its open and useless, Just a much cuter model than the new ones..2018 just looked so cute. Anyone know how I can adapt the front door grabs so I can make them useful like the rear doors are?
I've always had a fondness for the Soul. Rental place I was working at in college had the first gen ones. They were a bit janky in spots, but were comfortable, drove well in the snow, and very well equipped for the price. Seems most of the kinks have been ironed out over the last 10 years. I wish just they'd come out with an upgrade to the 1.6L Gamma T-GDI engine and 7-speed DCT that's in the Forte 5 SX/GT (which I drive and is also an underrated car IMO). Make it the perfect sleeper because nobody expects a quick Kia.
