2020 Kia Soul | This Box Is Anything But Square 

Boxy cars have so much more room than you thought you'd get I love the cute speaker shaped air vent

As an owner of a 2015 Soul with the panoramic sunroof, I agree wholeheartedly with Alex that it is a highly desirable feature now missing in the 2020 version. Let's hope for a mid-cycle refresh with this option returning soon.

I just bought a Kia Soul in the same trim that you did your review of, and really enjoyed hearing about the various comparisons of features. I enjoy the Soul a lot so far, and am glad to know that it compares so favorably to other vehicles in its class. I concur with your comments on the feel of the cabin, and the quietness of it, and am very pleased that it includes the Apple CarPlay as well as many of the other features you highlighted. I was somewhat disappointed at the limited colors available in that trim (no blue! 😔), but am seriously considering getting a vinyl wrap for this new Kia Soul.

Excellent video with a lot of very useful information. I would consider the Soul as a purchase. Keep the good work up

Thank God auto start/stop is optional... not mandatory

Kia Soul is by far my favourite one out of the competition hands down. Would like to buy one in the future too

been waiting for this since your initial 2020 Kia Soul video.

Thank you Alex - looking at commuter vehicles and the Soul has made my list.

Great review Alex. Thanks.

Just picked up the 2020s and I am really liking it. I'm a big tall guy and this car is really easy to get in and out of and I don't feel like I'm crammed into the car.

Why does this car remind me of a stormtrooper, the starwars one, not the Nazi one.

i have to admit, you get lots of car for your buck

The manual 2.0 4 cylinder soul is getting 35 mpg combined, if driven like a grandma (also, 75% highway driving). That is very impressive for something with a high roofline and good ground clearance. I love this soul. Sips fuel.

I've owned every generation and I love my 2020 Soul EX. Strikes the right balance between the stripped down trim and the top trim. I wanted the driver assistance tech, the big screen, push-button start and dual zone climate control. And the price was more than fair. I also *had* to have satellite radio, which isn't available in all trims. I *cannot* deal with terrestrial radio.

One thing I still haven't figure out after all these years is why on earth LED light is that expensive and used only on the highest trim?

Excellent Review!

Took a ride on the current Soul EV and came away quite impressed at the overall functionality of the vehicle.

Very good review!

Thank you for your good review. Please do for the EV Soul.

Some 2020 Soul EV's are now being sold in Canada so you might have to plan a trip to review one if you want to get to it this year

Looking forward to the Soul EV review

I like the price, quality, drivetrain, warranty and the inside of the new Soul. I don't care for the redesigned exterior.

"The show must go on!"

Alex you asked what I would pick- the Soul for sure. I own the last generation Soul and I've loved it since day one. You complained about fuel mileage but mine has been excellent averaging 30 MPG. My Soul has the base 1.6 engine with the 6-speed Automatic.

Good review.

Absolutely the best review Online for this car. Would like to hear some more of the cons of this car. Purchasing this for some elderly in-laws hard to find information about features that will help the older generation such as better visibility, easy to enter, automatic braking, but it looks like this car addresses a lot of those issues at a very reasonable price

I ended up with the 2019 VW Tiguan SE- seating for 7, elegant, 6yr/72k Mile Warranty, and an MSRP of $28,110 incl. destination and out the door for $24,300 and tinted front side windows and 5 free oil changes tossed in. It has Automatic Dual-Zone climate control, Apple CarPlay, a CD Player in the glove box, great cargo capacity with 3rd folded down into the floor, LED running lights and break lights, Leatherette seats, Proximity Key, Push Button start, heated front seats, 1-touch auto up/down for all 4 windows, 40/20/40 split second row seats, tons of cubbies and huge carpeted front door map map pockets and so much more. Drives quiet, smooth & refined

Bought a mid-range 2012 new. While the price is evidence in the cabin, it's been a very reliable vehicle for the kids to run around in. It's been cheap to operate and only had one "major" repair of $350 over that time. It's been a very good deal. I'm certain that the latest is built even better, is a better drive and is more economical.

I'm a fan of Japanese K-cars and the Soul looks like a super-sized one of those. With all of the obvious space benefits thereof. Higher end trim models have a better front end thankfully and the side profile looks good to me. Just an extremely efficient car all around.

I have a 2016 too! Only it’s a GDI

I agree with your opinion regarding the headlights and side profile with the floating roof. About the last, I have seen floating roof designs that do a better job at disguising the separation, the plastic section looks odd as it doesn't follow the counter well in my opinion. The Chevy Trailblazer and Lincoln Aviator are good examples of what I believe a good floating roof should look like.

Great car for the money, easy to park and good visibility.

I want the all-electric version with the 65kwh battery and those rim from the X trim. I'm willing to wait.

those headlights reminds me of 80’s cars square headlamps

"optional start/stop system" ---------- Optional? No, it's not optional. It's forced on us as part of the new CAFE fuel standards. To disable it you have to push a button on the dash every time you start the car. I'm all for good fuel economy but I don't want my car automatically turning itself off at a stop light.

It would be a much nicer option here in New England if it had AWD. Also I was surprised your comment about most people buying the FWD version of the HRV. I checked CarGurus and there are 702 new HRVs within 50 miles from me in CT and Zero are FWD. wow!! Keep up the good work, Alex!!

Hey Alex, the new Soul does come with cargo cover in upper trim levels.

I think that the floating roof line look is more elegant compared to the last 2 souls. I definitely think the front is polarizing tho. I wish I could've afforded the top of the line one with the headlights in the top, I have the S model. I still love the car tho, plenty of space (I helped my family move and I fit a lot of stuff in the car), I love the safety features that even the X Line doesn't have, and I love how easy it is to park. My only complaint is I've never got advertised fuel economy but I also do live in a city but I also do a lot of highway driving as well. I average 25 when the car is supposed to be 29/35. But this car also has very good pick up in both the city and highway, I would recommend this car to someone. It's a great first brand new car, I had a 2016 Legacy that I traded in because I wanted the 100,000 mi warranty and the height of the Soul.

I like the cuteness of the 2019 and below though ):

Nice Car

FYI: Cargo cover is available as an option for the GT-Line trim; standard on the EX and GT-Line Turbo.

With effective lighting being a safety (and even nighttime comfort) feature, it would be helpful to know how the standard halogen lighting compares to the optional LED units, which are only offered in the pricier EX "Designer Package" option or GT-Turbo. It would be useful to know how much better these particular LEDs are when compared to the Soul's till-now, poorly-rated halogen headlights.

This was a great review. I actually purchased one two weeks ago. Best decision ever. What surprised me most was the ride quality. I had the 2017 Soup, and I feel like I am now in a car a step above in quality, and what I see as a "heavier quality feeling". Best of all, the handling feels like a vehicle much higher on the totem pole. I parked next to the previous model and it feels really small in comparison, for some reason. The previous soul looks like a large, plastic toy next to it, and I'm trying not to make this too fluffy in describing it. However, I am being truthful. I can feel the soul is still there that I felt before, but it's like when the original batman (color version that is) got a suit upgrade. Still familiar, but now thicker, better Armour, heavier feeling yet lighter (actually true), no longer a tin can feeling when driving. It actually "feels" like an expensive mini suv now. I've owned three generations and I can say this is a huge upgrade. Got more than I bargained for. Even the height of the driving position is higher too due to the car being lifted 2" higher than previous generations 5.9" height. Now it's 6.7" in height. The height is the first major difference that I noticed. I can now see eye to eye with folks in Honda CRVs and other subcompact SUVs. More surprisingly, you can't even hear the engine, and can hardly hear it when it's at high revs. The list of improvements from someone who drove 46,000 miles in the previous model, you can count on my brutally honest opinion.

Respekt. Get well soon

Wow dude! Best video I've seen on the soul that most people in this price point can buy. Most reviews are on the GT, which is priced to the point I would buy something else. You covered everything. Love the detail. Well done!

For a channel called "Alex on Autos," there is a lamentably non-existent quantity of shots of Alex on top of an Auto

I have the 2017 soul brownstone edition it's pretty much a kia soul Mercedes Benz trim package

Have a little bit of garlic and ginger everyday to stave off various ailments.

I own a base 2019 Soul. It has a lot of features I like, but fails in two critical areas, one of which I knew about when I bought it and the other I found out after several months use. The shortcoming I knew about was the lack of power. The hamsters running my engine are old, slow, and asthmatic. I'm planning a trip from DC to KC in a couple months, and I have serious concerns about whether or not the Soul will be able to make it through the mountains of West Virginia. I have to leave it in Sport mode just to get the RPMs to climb even moderate hills. The second issue I have with the base model is that it's uncomfortable. I bought this to be a daily driver that I could also use to make the occasional Lowe's run with and I've gone back to driving my '04 Solara because the Soul just turns my lower back into mush on the trip to work, which involves mostly sitting in traffic on 395. I've ridden in other trim lines and found the comfort to be decent, so I think the issue is with the base model. Other than those two complaints, I really like the tech. It's the first car I've owned with a backup camera, and I'll never own another car without one. I like it so much that I'm getting one put into my Solara. The interior has tons of room. I don't hate the fuel economy. When I was daily driving it, I'd fill it up once every two weeks or so, and the tank is pretty small so it never cost that much. Overall, based my experience with the car so far, I'd recommend the Soul to prospective buyers, just not the base model.

none of the competition "looks" like a kia soul... what happened to the honda element? I kind of liked it, but it didn't seem to stick around for long?

19:50 Just wanted to point out that third party extended warranties are absolute crap.

Alex, did you have to get the ECU upgrade on your kia?. If so have you notice a difference when is changing gears(automatic)?

Wish you had included the Kona in the wrap-up comparison. That one seems like a pretty good option. As for cargo space, it's tough to beat Honda. I don't think the Soul has 50% more space than the Fit when both have seats down. The load floor isn't flat in the Soul and there are no "magic seats". The Magic seats give a great tall cargo carrying capability to the back seats in the Honda products. Hey, you might even put something back there besides a roller bag. I agree that those low mounted headlights are not a good look and that 'X' trim isn't something I'd choose. It adds a bunch of cheap-looking plastic cladding.

Waiting for the EV. What do you think the price range will be?

We received the new Soul EV in Montreal Canada.

I would buy this car.

No hybrid available?

Great review although it seems that this has lost some of its "soul" compared to the previous generations.

I've always been interested in the Kia Soul but I would need AWD

If you were to put the Hyundai Venue, Kia Soul, and Hyundai Kona side by side, they are very close in size (in terms of length). It's only about 3 or 4 inches between the three of them. It's that close.

My niece has the 2016 Kia Soul (2nd gen) She is debating on getting the 2021 New gen Kia Soul S or EX version or keeping her car.

Great video thanks! Considering a soul so this is great info...I havnt seem a 2021 Forte Hatchback yet. Are they still making? Anyone? Lol

A strong contender in the Weird Looking Front End sweepstakes.

Every time I’m sitting in traffic I notice about 2-3 Souls of different generations. Are they selling that fast or just giving them away? lol. That explains why all the other boxed hatches died off; Honda Element, Scion XB, Nissan Cube, Nissan Versa Hatch, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, Chevy Aveo, Dodge Caliber, Chrysler PT Cruiser etc... They all went the way of the Dodo. ⚰️💰*Everyone used to joke about KIA in the early 2000’s but only a few years later, who is laughing all the way to the bank now? lol

When Alex says the seats are 9/10 or 10/10 depending on trim, which trim gets 10/10 seats?

I thought the xline tires are the same size as gt line? Why is the handling different?

I wanted IRS and AWD options for the Soul and Kia did neither. Honestly I'm very underwhelmed by this offering and think the CVT was a move backwards. Halogen lights still in 2019. They then priced the turbo as a Veloster N base pricing. Just not sure what they are trying to accomplish other than make the take rate in the turbo trim so low they can kill it off

But Huey Lewis says it's hip to be square

I prefer boxier designs of older cars. For example I much prefer the late 90’s-early 2000’s Honda CRV and Pilot over the current generations. This generation Soul reminds me of the Renegade which is either good or bad depending on how you look at it.

I’ve already seen quite a few of these driving around

I might wait for the 2020 kicks.

I like the new look, but I am disappointed this more "upscale interior" isn't offered with full leather upholstery at any trim, like the previous gen.

I just bought an EX trim Soul and it came with a cargo cover.

That front end design with the detached headlamps and running lights is HIDEOUS.

Had the 2016 Base Manual Soul with included alloy wheels and thought it was peppy and really loved that all in was $16400. I would love to see your day to day use and charging EV soul analysis vid.

8.5 seconds 0-60 is pretty good on an Atkinson cycle engine. 32 mpg is excellent.

Kind of dissapointed with this redesign. One thing I liked about the previous model was the C pillar. I liked how it drew my eye back up into the roofline. Floating roof doesn't work here IMO. Rear lights are an oddity and sadly have not grown on me. Bummer since it's a very good car otherwise!

Lease an IVT, avoid the DCT & consider buying a 2021 IVT. The EX is tempting but the color choices are limited when you add the EX Designer Collection.

I'm pretty sure ford still sells the flex, so not all other boxy vehicles are gone

A HUGE help for everyone in your videos is you’d you’d change the “size” graph you use. It doesn’t make sense. That graph is really just length which is relatively meaningless vs “size” being interior size. The Soul is big inside. Far bigger than most anything on the chart. Same goes for the Veloster video. You have the “size” of the Soul smaller than a Veloster and a bunch of other MUCH smaller cars. I think making this change will be a great help and eliminate a big confusion spot as to why your “sizes” appear way off.

Really sad its only available as EV in europe :/

Please list not only rear headroom but front headroom for your taller viewers.

I hate that the cargo area doesn't sit level, dropping the seats forward become somewhat useless. Wasn't told about this before I bought it. Even the salesmen thought there was an insert for it. Well he was completely without knowledge

Waiting for the Seltos, will it possibly be the new leader in the subcompact suv segment?

I've driven the 16 and 17 base, Kia would be my choice.

Pressure washer at a do it yourself car wash makes it easy to clean.

Like all reviewers, you’ve ticked off the safety features, such as autonomous braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. However you haven’t tested them. Why is this? Are all cars the same, or are some better than others?

hearing theres been some transmission failures on this 2020 ivt

The 2019 soul I rented was one of my favorite cars all time. The 2020 one is good but the polarizing looks and lack of pano roof and ventilated seats is a downer for me.

I currently drive a honda accord and find it more and more difficult to get in and out of. How easy is it to get in and out of the kia soul?

I wish you had talked about the stop/start function. I thought this was only on the EX trim but now I am not so sure. I do not see an option on the Kia website to add this option to other trim levels. The EX version has an "Econ Dynamics" engine and so gets slightly better gas mileage. Is this available across other 2-liter trim levels?

Why did the 2020 2.0 L Engine drop it’s horsepower from 161 HP down to 147 HP?

Should point out engine/road noise and lack of insulation to get Kia to notice. I added insulation under hood of my Soul including dynamat and a fiberglass panel from a Honda CRV and it really changed the car.

Fine economy hatchback, probably Kia’s best vehicle. Pity about the CVT though.

An open, visible to the (thieving) public rear cargo area is the only way to avoid car break-ins in San Francisco.

That Carp style grille needs to go, but mostly the CVT. I hate my CVT it is dangerous.

Idk... I think my 2014 ! looks better. AND, I have the pano roof and cooled front seats; both of which are no longer available on the top trim level. I think I’m gonna hang onto mine  little longer! 🙂

Soul EV when it comes out please

A comment about AWD with specific applications in small cars like the Soul. There's no question that AWD and even more advanced versions of 4WD may well be a necessity for serious off-roading, both on unimproved trails and beyond. Otherwise, however, AWD may be more a case of meeting a marketing need than actual functionality. Back in the 1980's I drove FWD Saab 96's in the challenging winters of upstate New York and Michigan. In those days both FWD and AWD vehicles were rare. With a good set of winter tires and the weight of the engine over the front wheels I never had a problem climbing and descending the steep hills of Ithaca, New York and the Michigan countryside in my small Saab when just about every other vehicle was either in a garage or in a ditch beside the road. On the other hand, our family now lives in the Pacific Northwest. Our winters are not especially challenging but we often venture into the mountains on ski trips in our midsize SUV that weighs over two tons. And in those cases, AWD is a benefit and the extra weight it adds (about that of an NFL cornerback in back seat) is barely noticeable and worth the penalty in terms of fuel efficiency even though the on-demand AWD operates only when front wheel slip is detected. But whether its marginal improvement over FWD in a small, light vehicle like the Soul is highly questionable. It's a guess but I suspect that a Soul with good winter tires would perform as well as my much larger SUV about 95% of the time. Worth adding that NFL player to the weight of a Soul and decreasing fuel efficiency for an AWD system that only goes into effect when front wheel slip is detected? I doubt it. Interestingly, KIA apparently explored the value of AWD to existing Soul owners. Not only did it rank low in priority for most owners, a significant fraction of owners believed their Souls already had AWD! KIA should be forgiven for claiming at least one version of the third generation Soul is a CUV or SUV even though it's more marketing-speak than a valid claim. But for those who face less than severe winter weather on a regular basis and don't intend to go rock climbing in their vehicle, the Soul is more than adequate.

Honda Dealer told me that you can't even get the FWD HRV in New England.