2023 Kia Soul // Meet the REFRESHED Boxy Value KING! (Under $20K) 

This is the new go-to car today. All that's affordable right now, with lots of cargo room, and good 10 yrs warranty.

I got a 2015 Kia Soul Plus has 102k miles and still drives beautifully.

I wasn't expecting a video on the 2023 Soul this early. Great job guys!

I wouldn't be able to tell the difference from my 2022 Soul. In case people don't know, this is the least expensive car to hold this much stuff. That's one reason why I bought mine. It's also fun to drive, and I like small cars. It will hold several 2"x4"x8'. I drive way to fast, and average 30 mpg. I do use the drive mode button (sport mode) that is next to the shifter quite often. It makes a big difference when taking off from a dead stop.

I have a first-gen Soul that flooded out during a hurricane. Had water over the gearshift, the next day it started up without a problem, got it cleaned up and has run well ever since with no major mechanical failures. The engine mounts and bracket had to be replaced awhile back. The radio is broken. It has over 150,000 miles and I still drive it every day. During the same hurricane I had an '06 Subaru Forester. Got six inches of water in it, would not start the next day and was going to cost $6,000 to fix. Sold it to a junkyard for $200. Kia wins for me.

Refresh looks great. I just think that Kia should do LED lighting standard across the board. I know these types of vehicles are built to a price, however most brands that this competes with have done so.(an interesting omission from Kia, considering their value-oriented mission).

i like the new refresh, however the top ex trim should have some sort of leather and not cloth, and they should bring back the panoramic roof and cooled seats

Nice to see a review of a trim that is not the top trim that the manufacturer typically gives the press to review.

I love my 2020 soul gt line turbo. Bought it in 2019. Still going strong no problems at 85k miles so far

It looks like a stormtrooper’s dingus. I want one

i love that the headlights are in the right spot for authentics this time instead of being lower where it looked weird to me i also miss the x line trim. the recersh gives me camaro vibes too lol

GOOD FUCKING LUCK FINDING ONE UNDER 20K in Summer 2022 All the dealers in my area (SoCal) are charging $23-$25K for the base LX model.

Love seeing the base model get reviewed

I got the LX Soul last week I really like it. I’m 6’4” and I have plenty of room. I’m still getting used to all of the bells and whistles. The Auto Start Stop (did no one consider the ASS acronym when naming that) is not easy to get used to. You can turn it off, but it defaults to on. There is a bit of a trick to it. If you creep to a semi stop it won’t turn off. I mean wheels barely moving. Also if you stop then roll a little and stop again, I have noticed that it turns off less often. Of course I might just not notice it but that is how it feels. It isn’t all that much of a problem anyway.

Everytime I see this car, I think of the hamster commercial 😂😂

It's the last box car from the 2000s and has had a mighty reign. However I would get a forte gt it may be less roomy but I prefer performance and style.

Just test drove a loaded GT... was pleasantly surprised not any excessive wind sound at freeway speeds... not a stiff ride either, which were the 2 complaints i had read from some. My only negative was the driver leg room was a little tight... granted i sit with my legs open. Still may go back and grab it .. under msrp great cargo space in the back... not bad mpgs at 30 combined. Leather, sunroof, 10.25 display, digital gages, navigation, stop n go cruise... all the safety features like back up camera and blind spot monitor... for 26.5

The new refresh looks better on the Kia Soul. Keep up the good work.

Great review. I bought a 2023 soul last Friday and I agree with all you said. Happy with the car, great value and utility at a reasonable price point.

Wow!! I really love the refresh of the Kia Soul. Also I will try to afford one of these small SUVS like this someday at the local Kia dealership in my state of course.

Just so everyone knows, the floor on the cargo area lifts up to be flush if you want it to on some trims ( idr if its all ). So you can have it deeper for space or flush.

Blind spot monitors should be like seatbelts required on all newly sold cars.

Have always liked this vehicle, maybe because I had a Honda Element once upon a time😉.

I just got my undercover green EX on Thursday and I absolutely love it.

Love that they added Highway Driving Assist to the GT-Line. Just wish they kept the GT-Line with Tech closer to $25k. Since the Soul only has the 147hp 2.0 liter--- and the Seltos SX turbo is at 28k (with a turbo and awd)!

Are these engines still burning an abnormal amount of oil? I'd like to get a Soul as an everyday vehicle.

I just bought me a 2023 Kia soul LX. I previously had a 2017 Kia soul which was totaled by a red light runner. My question is can you do a video on the digital dash fictions? I noticed a feature where you can turn off the horn on the alarm. Does that mean when you lock your car without the horn is it still armed or not? Thank you very much I love your videos

I really like the refresh, but if Kia hasn't fixed the problem with their CVT transmission I still wouldn't purchase one. Consumer Reports no longer recommend the Soul or Forte because of the poor reliability of their CVT transmission.

I own a 2020 Soul 6-speed manual, and I previously owned a 2011 2.0 with 4-speed auto. I test drove an IVT, and although I did like it, the IVT has questionable longevity. Their old 6-speed auto was solid. If it weren't for fuel economy concerns, it would be nice if Kia paired their old 164 HP 2.0 NA to a new 10-speed auto. It could be geared for quick acceleration in lower gears, and low RPMS under low load at 70 mph. The simulated 8th gear on the IVT does let the engine turn at 2,100 rpm at 70 mph, which is quite low for a 2.0L NA engine that makes only 147 HP, and is comparable to the 10-speed auto on the 2.0T Accord (252 HP).

A digital gauge cluster on the base model is amazing. i might get an S line

Great review and the front looks really sorta of aggressive great refresh.

Love the new look!! Kia Will Not Fix any Recalls. How can a company open up in Usa, have 500,000 recall on all 2011-2017 engine. I have 2013 Sportage ,100,000 miles, engine died and has been sitting over a month at dealer, never knew about recall. Refusing to fix.

Loved those old hamster commercials

I have a 2017 Kia soul and I love it, not really too crazy with the changes they’ve made. But they’re just listening to all the feedback

great review guys your giving Doug DeMuro a run has money !

I have a 2017 and people that get in it are amazed at how roomy it is.

CVT's should NOT have shift simulation. I don't mind how a CVT can deliver a smoother-non shifting experience for the driver. I really don't care for CVT's but they do make more sense on cheap compacts with smaller output motors. They can in fact deliver a more optimized power band with less power. But once oems introduced simulated shift points it becomes "un natural" in how it feels and sounds. That in itself is a complete showstopping deal killer for me and I would not consider anything that has it. My 2012 Sentra had a CVT and it was a very smooth running CVT. Except a little laggy off the start it had a great powerband and as long as you didn't try to race the motor it was very quiet and smooth all the way up to interstate speeds. It made allot of sense on a 2.0 liter compact. Just wish oems would quit trying to make CVT's into something they are not. Its not a geared transmission and it never will be.

How reliable are the Soul? I always wanted one. What year should I be looking for?

Going back up to school soon and I'm going to have to get a car as I'm going to live off campus, and this ride seems like it would be perfect for me as a new driver. compact, subtle, non-intimidating. I wonder about it's safety features and how it accommodates child car seats because I also have a two year old daughter who will be living in my apartment with me and I'll be taking her to daycare most days.

It's been a year since I was looking up car reviews and recall coming upon your channel. I love the new intro skit! Keep up the good reviews! I am now back in the market for a new CUV and will be following closely again

I bought a 2023 Kia Soul to replace my 2005 Scion Xb after it was totaled in an accident . Very similar feel with the boxy shape and high head space.

I have a 2015 Soul+ with the 6 spd automatic. If i had to replace it I doubt I would get a new Soul just because of the switch to IVT tranny. Every brand has gone the CVT route to save costs with no regard for consumers that prefer manual shift or conventional automatic. Take it or leave it attitude, what a shame.

It needed a refresh so bad, they did good!

I have a 2016 LX model,,no problems ..more driving to Go,,worth my every penny..

White looks like a snow trooper

What a joke. You can't get these for under 20K. You can't even get them for under 25K. All the dealers have put a premium on everything.

They lost me with the elimination of the Turbo engine. I have a 2017 turbo and I wouldn’t buy the car without it so this will be my last Soul. It’s too bad because I really love this car.

I’m pretty disappointed that I do not see any LED running lights which should become standard at this point on new cars

I'm curious if you happened to notice if the digital instrument cluster has display options. Is it only the digital numbers with the purple, or can you customize the way it looks at all?

I like that you can get it without power lift gate, seats, e brake, and no sunroof, push button start, aluminum wheels, etc. I like basic reliable features.

We rented one recently. We enjoyed it around the city but found it very jittery on the highway. At highway speeds I felt uncomfortable and a little nervous. We did like the gas mileage (low 30's) after a month of driving. Pick up was okay and the CVT was not intrusive.

Nicely done, thanks!

I have a 2013 Soul and I love it. Obviously it doesn't have the technology but I've loved it for 10 years. I test drove a 2023 today but HATED that silver dragon skin they've used. It looks super cheap to me.

After I saw this video I can tell there is almost no difference with my 21LX 2.0L CVT except the new digital dashboard but to be honest I prefer to see the analog gauges with needles. I am an old fashion guy and like old styles but any way is still a cute vehicle with fun to drive it, I am very enchanted wiith mine and so far my CVT trammy has not given me any issue at all. By the way my 21LX Soul gas efficiency is much better than what was said in this video, I can see always between 35 and 40 MPG within the city and 40 to 45mpg in the highway. My normal speeds are always within the limits, 45mph in the city, 70 mph in the highway.

For the stormtrooper fans.

Hey gents, your unique review style gives us viewers a gaming chance to guess at which points the baton will be passed to the other, that is, switch who's reviewing. Another great review of a car I know so well that I will note a couple details I believe enrich the view. ☺ First things first: OF COURSE the Soul is still King! BTW, I'm glad to have the unique 2022 (LX w/Tech) the only year with original gen3 style and new logo... 1. The S did away with black/gray interior 🙁, now just black. 2. Curiosity: why would wireless AA and ACP be only on the LX? I suspect it's hard wired into that 8inch display, which as an upgrade pre-2022, but oddly they do NOT list it on the Kia Build page! 3. OMG: I've never known about satellite overview on Google Maps on a car screen! So grateful your image shows this so i can check it out... thanks! Note: One can predict that the next 3rd gen upgrade will be adjustable dash themes, as that digital only is a deal-breaker for me and surely others, and Kia already has that option on other models with a near identical dash. Final mention: one great thing that separates your reviews is detail. Two I appreciate is that (1) the decibel notation, and quieter than the Seltos, and (2) ride quality, which is often mistakenly dissed, and is simply a matter of having outrageously great handling. Wrap-up million bucks question: What's up with the EX getting higher fuel economy, and what is that "Eco Dynamics" designation associated with it? Kia couldn't even tell me! and it's on at least one other model going back in time...

I really wish the Kia K5 would get a digital gauge cluster in the near future cause for the price point that’s at right now, us as consumers would expect to have it

Hope they fixed the engine issues that caused fires. Yes, the Soul was and is popular, but were the main models to catch fire. Witness quite a few getting toasted on the side of the road

Excellent video!😸

Affordable and spacious.

This is supposed to be 2023 and they went backwards on the design as far as taking out cupholder and no vents and outlets in the back? My 2016 has cup holders/arm rest

This was helpful. Thanks! I would have like to have heard if cruise control is available.

Can you please review the GT version too and with the interior led stereo system 🙏🏼

Tremendously helpful! Thanks!!!

Does it catch on fire too??

Very informative video, thanks!

I wish they came in a manual transmission option.

Wow still no hybrid version. Such a missed opportunity Kia.

I had a 2018 kia soul + that had power folding heated mirrors, power seats, heated rear seats, a pano roof, and leatherette seats with a Harmon kardon sound system. It's crazy that you've lost the ability to have most of those options even in the fully loaded one. I should've kept it.

I kind of miss my Kia soul… have the forte now. The forte is nice too

Does it make sense to compare this Soul to an Elantra GT-Line?

Love gorgeous vehicles😍

If it wasn't for them damn Kia Boys.....

I have a 2018 Soul +. I really like it.

Thank you,we just bought one for our granddaughter today and your video was helpful,thanks again Dr Ken Welty

Make sure you get the Kias made in korea. Kias made in the USA are usually junk, don't last long and engines blow with very little miles. The western USA does have Korean made Kias, east does not. so make sure you check where your Kia is made, so if your engines blows and you reach out and they do nothing, you are screwed. Strangely enough, these kia fires have started to happen in recent models. Including Seltos, Sorento, Stinger, Sportage, Souls too. Be careful!

I prefer base models on most cars.... definitely this should have Standard Led's a big omission. Not really any other options if you want a small less than 20k car with space and even a little ground clearance although the Nissan Versa is listed at 6.8 inches which is more than this Kia!!

No matter how many times they refresh this I still associate these with hamsters driving on the road.

NO to auto stop....NO to CVT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The digital gage cluster is the the same as the one in the Hyundai Venue but with a cute added tunnel effect. Can you confirm this please. Otherwise, nice car that would suit me well and great video as usual. Thanks boys.

One of the best vehicles for bigger people, but the front looks ugly, like a "SNOUT"

Why does the car have me thinking it's a cvt? It sounds like a cvt and I don't see why they would need to put simulated gears if it's a regular engine, doesn't it have actual gears? (Edit): Nevermind, I just needed to watch more. it is a cvt😅.

I just don’t get the 2023 refresh. I think the 2020 refresh was an overall better redesign, whereas this seems like the tweaked the face. I dunno, but I have a 2020 EX. It’ll probably be the last soul I own, I intend to drive that thing into the ground.

It’s a nice car ! I like the headlights and how they look . All smoked out .but why not LEDs though ??? 😒

short question: For Canada should get this or Hyundai Elantra Ultimate 2023 trim version? both have same price in Canada.

Love it! I want this New Model!

I have this exact same vehicle but for 2024. Nothing has really changed except for a slightly higher price. The 10 year warranty on the drive chain ONLY applies to the original owner though (its NOT transferable to 2nd owner). Yeah this is a quite vehicle. You will hear passing vehicles on a two lane road but certainly not at all intrusive. I was surprised on how quite it rides. I personally do not use the radio or phone while driving thus the sound system is not relative to me but its certainly adequate for most people. Blind spot detect is a must though but I do NOT use any other safety functions like lane keeping (as I know how to drive). I always turn OFF auto start/stop as leaving that ON WILL wear your engine (the absolute dumbest invention ever). I do NOT recommend ANY turbo engines except diesel. Finally the 2.0 has port injection (NOT direct) thus it won't have a lotta carbon build up. Finally go easy on your right foot regarding ALL CVT tranny's. I've never had to accelerate the vehicle like this driver did even when merging onto interstates. Yeah do that as a habit and expect tranny issues after 70k miles.

Nice that fog lights are not standard. Too many people drive with their fog lights on when it's not foggy

I LOVE my 2020 Soul GT Turbo, I'd only replace it with another Turbo!

Unless they fix their GDI engine don't buy one. The valves gum up within 10,000 MI, it requires an induction cleaning every 15,000. The induction cleaning destroys your O2 sensors, it also will gum up your catalytic converters and make them prematurely fail. At 50,000 miles I had to pay 340 for an O2 sensor that failed within a week of cleaning. Other than that I'm 6'5" and fit comfortably and have gotten 40mpg in it before on the highway granted that I didn't give it gas uphill and coasted downhill. If they alternated injectors between traditional and GDI like Toyota I would be a lifetime customer however I will not buy a care that destroys itself from mandatory maintenance especially when it's a proprietary service that funnels you to a dealership because you have to be both trained and certified to get the attomizer equipment and the cleaner. I need a car that I can hand down through the generations not a proprietary POS that will require critical repairs within 70,000 miles.

My truck goes to the Menders tomorrow so Im getting a rental. Apparently Enterprise is going to give me a Sol. Ive been contemplating in getting a second rinkadink vehicle and use it more often, letting my truck be a weekend vehicle or unless I need to transport stuff.. Is a Sol a decent choice? Ive been debating a Civic of some kind, but Im starting to like these little square lookin things

I am thinking about trading in my 2014 LX Soul with 100k miles for a new Soul. I have not done any shopping but have heard inventory is tight and dealers are asking many thousands above sticker. Can anyone share there experience that can help me in my decision making. I would hold onto the 2014 but really want the rear camera and blind spot indicator for safety reasons.

Wonder how much I can get for my 2017 Challenger (SXT) (36k miles) to see if I can trade for one of these 🤔

Safety is main concern but still 1980's halogen headlights

LX vs S which seems best for the price?

I just bought a 2021 Kia Soul I love my K Soul it's really not a big difference in the 2023 models

Only one king of boxy UV - G wagon. 4Runner and Bronco are the knights. Soul would be the commoner.

Does it have the oil burning engine that goes out after 100K mi?

What type is the USB port on this car? Type A or C?

I still don't get why the K5 doesn't get standard LCD Speedometer gage! Hmmm...