2020 Kia Soul Turbo | The Frenetic Hamster 

In 2010, I purchased a new 2011 Kia Sorento built in West Point, GA. I was so impressed with it, I purchased a new 2017 Kia Soul +. I still own both vehicles as they continue to be economical reliable transportation and have held up very well. The Kia Soul still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Who believes Alex is a cyborg because he is just too good at regurgitating so much dang info perfectly?!!🤔🤔

I’ve always liked the Soul. It’s a happy car!

No way I'm getting this version!! My 2014 ! With whole shebang package has panoramic sunroof and cooled seats, which are great during summer!!!

After your review along with several other throughly excellent reviews on the Kia Soul Turbo and a road trip from St Petersburg FL to Atlanta Georgia convinced me that I needed to step up to the 2022 Kia Soul Turbo from my 2021 Kia Soul EX which was already an excellent vehicle only if it had that turbo 1.6L engine and some of the other amenities that the turbo model offered. This is my 3rd Kia and I must say I’m throughly impressed with this lil pocket rocket. I love what I now have that the EX trim did not have as options….all the safety features the Harmon Kardon sound system, the Smart cruise control, full LED lighting, heated steering wheel, heads up display, pedestrian FCAA, sport tuned suspension and 18” tire & sport reams. Some do not like the 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission but I love it having been the owner of a 2016 Kia Soul with the basic 1.6L engine with the 6 spd manual transmission you’ll appreciate this tranny very much it helps put the power down and it will peel those front wheels too if your into that kind of thing. Just knowing I can and do have power on tap when I want it. No turbo lag so far but I know it’s a characteristic of some automakers and their turbos. The warranty is icing on the cake too. The Kia Soul is very practical, funky and fun to drive that’s why imma Soul Man!

The Kia. I drove a base model for a rental and loved it. I would definitely get the turbo. that was my main grip. It did the job just wanted the extra power

EVERY Brand Car Dealership that sells ANY model with a DCT Transmission should have a video copy of Alex' clear explanation of WHAT a DCT is and HOW it actually works. Then they MIGHT avoid so many of the customer complaints AND FAILURES of this type of transmission. Are you listening Ford??? Probably over 90% of the general population has NEVER driven a Standard Transmission of any kind and they have no clue about what Clutch Slippage is. Fortunately, I have a smooth DCT transmission application in my Kia Niro Hybrid but in this case, it is paired with an Electric Motor as well and the vehicle always starts moving off the line in electric mode with the clutch on 1st gear fully engaged. There is also never any slippage when stopped on a hill, even without a foot on the brake, since the electric motor is not turning in that instance, unlike an internal combustion engine. Gotta love that maximum torque available at zero rpms in electric motors! In essence, I would call the Niro's hybrid power-train a marriage made in Heaven. The START/STOP functions of the Gasoline Engine in this vehicle are virtually seamless, unlike the annoying and delayed ruckus that goes on in most vehicles with start/stop systems. I once HAD to drive a friends Cadillac with auto start/stop and I couldn't wait to find the damned switch to disengage that function. Absolutely awful!

Alex, u are awesome. U really help me sleep

Kia's moving upmarket. They are locking premium features in their range topping models.

does anyone else ever notice whatever car hes reviewing has something related to or actually has the cars name on the radio? alex rocks!

Great review! I really enjoy all of your posts. The combination of very extensive details/specs and "comparison" features are a standout among car review channels. The effort that you put into each of your reviews is clearly evident and appreciated -- thank you!

I love the 1.6t

You provide the best reviews, please ask Ford to let you review the new 2020 Ford Transit PASSENGER van when it becomes available!!!

I really like the new Soul. I'd get the base model with a manual transmission

Additional power beyond the meager amount the standard 2.0L supplies would be nice, but few buyers will find value within the now-very-inflated price of the GT Turbo.

I love this Soul.. no complaints but wish they would have worked a bit more on that back window and bumper area. I’m not feeling that part of the car.

Why no comparison to the Hyundai Elantra GT Sport (Hatchback)? It's got the same engine, turbo, and practicality.

Quicker than an Si!

Please get your hands on the electric version of the soul the one with 60 kWh battery and 201 horsepower thanks

Digging it!

Reminds me of a Borg Cube.

This generation of soul reminds me a lot of the cube

I wonder how much more the car Insurance will be. I can hear them say well now is more expensive to fit the bumper because of the headlights in it.

the new Hyundai KIA models are looking very interesting but i would go with that rav4 in this segment

hey alex civic sport touring hatchback or the soul gt-line? what would you pick?

Unfortunately, we don't get the turbo engine in Canada

Were you ever going to review the Hyundai Elantra GT N Line?

Car and Driver reported that the DCT in their long term test Soul showed noticeable evidence of wear at only 40k miles. 0-60 time was 1.4 seconds longer at 40k than when the car was new...a significant decline in performance. Not exactly confidence inspiring. This, added to the issues with the DCT in the Tucson got the Soul turbo crossed off my shopping list when I was in the market a couple of months ago. I probably would have taken a chance with a Soul if it had a different transmission.

while I already wasn't into it, the limited bright blue or bright red color for the GT trim really sealed the deal of a no go for me on this one

They ditched the Hamsters for a Chameleon. Get your game up, Alex. ;-P

i live in florida and it is hard to find something under 30k that i can get with a manual and cooled seats. the jetta gli is the only one i can find. Alex do you know any vehicle that offer what i need.

Review the 2020 Jeep renegade with the new 1.3L turbo engine.

That widescreen is going to be nice when iOS 13 launches.

Modern safety features should be standard on every new modern car

Will it catch on fire?

The soul

the ONLY reason we have not ever purchased a KIA Soul is because of those Soul/hamster commercials. They didn't bother me at all, thought they were pretty cute, but my wife cannot keep those little critters out of her mind whenever she sees a Soul on the road.

You should’ve compared w the Elantra GT Line

6.5 sec@60 miles that's freaking fast for small car .

Great video Alex. I traded in my 2017 soul EX Tech for 2019 hybrid Limited and the only thing I've missed from the Soul is Android Auto

I try to remain objective and not fall into fanboy-ism about any brand or vehicle. But I have to admit that KIA makes it more and more difficult. Bought our second Sorento last year. It's a perfect Goldilocks size for our family of three plus a big dog, especially when we need a surprisingly accommodating third row of seats for six or seven passengers and would otherwise have to take two vehicles. The Stinger is a widely praised version of a European style GT at price point that leaves enough in a wallet for a long, long "grand tour." The new Forte is a feature packed compact sedan priced so a parent sending a kid to college or a recent graduate drowning in debt can consider it. The Telluride is so popular that waiting lists of months and/or "market adjustment" stickers are not just common, they're near universal. Want a true luxury full size sedan, again at a price tens of thousands dollars less than the European competition? KIA suggests you take a look at the K900. You'll have enough $$$ left over to hire a part-time chauffeur the KIA was designed for while you stretch out in the back seat. And then there's the Soul. They're so popular here in the Pacific Northwest my local KIA dealer could install a vending machine in the showroom and save the cost of a salesperson or two. The demographic appeal ranges from 20-something hipsters in Seattle to downsizing seniors and young families. The snail mail delivery person on my small island uses hers to deliver everything from the daily mail to huge packages and would have to have her cold dead fingers pried off the steering wheel before she'd give it up.The Soul has 62.1 cubic ft of overall cargo space. That's more than the Mazda CX-5. Speaking of living on an island, a unique personal benefit is a discount on the stiff Washington State ferry fares for vehicles less than 14' in length. Few vehicles qualify (Happily, my GTI does) and none with the cargo capacity and passenger room of the Soul earns it. I wouldn't give up my beloved GTI for the Soul GT. But it would be a choice not a joke to consider it. Being a GTI owner I'm already committed to "function-first" brick-like styling. The Soul is a bit farther along the "funky" styling dimension but it's in the same ballpark as the GTI. I love my GTI's dual clutch transmission. I'm not sure the KIA would match its behavior but I'd give it a chance. The Soul GT won't match the performance of my GTI but its mpg's are a bit better. And as versatile as my GTI is, the Soul GT offers more cargo space and competitive passenger space. Owning a Sorento I'm familiar with the KIA's infotainment system and it's frankly superior to my GTI's. Still, there's handling and intangibles the KIA can't match. So I'll keep my GTI but I'll offer a thumbs up to anyone I see in the new Soul GT. As for the more obvious competitors like he Kona, the Honda HRV and the Toyota CRV ...No thumbs up.

I wouldn't expect the Mini Clubman S a relevant comparison, nor can I understand it's Premium make status. I'm not sure about now but it wasn't long ago they were the most troublesome car available. Frequent need of replacement parts and designs maddening to mechanic's. Whereas the KIA is going to be good from day one.

Up here in Canada we get ventilated seats with the 1.6 turbo

I’ll never understand why manufacturers don’t always have a space under the floor for cargo covers. My 2008 Honda Pilot (which admittedly doesn’t have it anymore) has a space for one. If a car has a removable cargo cover, it should have a place go store it out of the way

I strongly considered buying a 2020 Soul, but price goes up too much if you want push button start and more of the safety features. Hyundai had so much rebate and dealer money available on the '19 Santa Fe that I just could not justify spending so much on a Soul, and ended up going non-Turbo Santa Fe. I felt I would regret going subcompact for so much money. Definitely 2 different cars, Santa Fe not sporty, but just too practical for the money vs the Soul. KIa needs to make the Turbo Soul available at 25K MSRP, not 27.5K, and offer lower non-turbo trims with push button start and all the safety features, very strange trim line/option packages in the 2020 Souls right now.

Its a beautiful car, seating position is great. Only complaint is auto engine stop option i don't like it. And the HUD is an extra .

$28k soul. The should name it !!

Eight inches more than the Corolla hatch? By the looks of it, that means the Corolla has -2" legroom.

I would get a soul over a kona for the features and I would get a Mazda CX-5 over a Toyota Rav4 for features and performance and handling!

Strangely or not? Alex on autos always ignores Kia's other big seller. Forte and Fort5. I would compare with SOUL? Kia's DCT work well.

looks like the Dodge Soul from the front bumper

I wonder how much Kia would charge for the option of AWD and IRS on this Soul? I would take this in a manual to offset the cost.

Not feeling the back of the car.

Man I hate that rear end

Alex, no excuses for Hyundai's DCT please. This is just bad engineering, like Ford. DCTs from Audi/VW and Porsche are completely transparent in operation.

the engine is the real con of the mazda3.

I don't consider this a subcompact. Yaris, Fit, Accent, Rio, Fiesta, Mirage, Spark those are subcompacts.

This guy, Adam Corolla and john cena should bring back top gear America.

Turbo = more moving parts and more maintenance. Hoping this fad ends as soon as possible or I will be keeping my latest car I bought that is naturally aspirated this year for 20 years. I now get much better mileage than my last turbo kia which guzzled gas like an 8 cylinder. What a scam.

So wired to see this with a petrol engine... As a Norwegian this is a bit of a rarity.

I would inch toward the sante fe

VW Golf Gti s

I have no soul.🙁 I drive a minivan.

Kia priced the Turbo engine too high ensuring a low take rate and the ability to kill it off faster. Sad Kona 1.6L T would be my pick as for the same price, you get IRS and AWD

after tax and title - 30K for a soul? WTAF?

What MPG did you get? Did I miss it?

$25K for Honda si...28k for Kia Soul...come on!

Who would use paddles on a Soul? Use that extra money somewhere else

I like the GT-LINE but I wish they would slowdown with the redish accents all over, Chevy Blazer is another one with the red nonsense.

Golf is more eensie-weensie than compact? :D Ah you Americans... :)

2,638th view, 185th like, 50th comment with 3 dislikes!

No turbo manual 🤦🏾‍♂️😔

🇻🇳🇻🇳🇻🇳🇻🇳🇻🇳😀

Kia keeps downgrading the Soul. No more cooled glovebox, panoramic moonroof, ventilated seats,

No Soul turbo model is sold in Canada thumbs down to """Kia""" on that moronic decision. Canada gets the shaft with all show NO GO

replace the dct with a manual, then i'd be interested. seriously, why throw money at an expensive component that you can't design right and then have the gall to call it a "GT".

Dude... you have way to many commercials. I’m gearing tired of it. I watch your videos for insightful reviews not back to back commercials.

Kia Souls are not very good cars. If you don’t believe me, just ask a mechanic.