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Eastside Kia
Posted on September 29, 2020
There's no other car quite like the Kia Soul. Although the company describe it as a SUV, the relatively small and low-lying body combined with a lack of all-wheel drive seem to move it firmly toward the hatchback segment.
Add to that the distinctively boxy looks, and it's a car with a unique character. But is it a SUV-stroke-hatchback you'd consider buying? Read on to find out.
Under the hood, the 2021 Soul is largely carried over from the successful 2020 line. The base engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder model producing 147hp, feeding either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission.
This horsepower may seem a little lacking, but remember the Soul is a small hatchback-like vehicle rather than a large, sturdy SUV, and there's plenty enough power for daily driving. City duties in particular are carried out with a surprising amount of zip.
Nonetheless, if you'd like a little more juice, the optional 1.6L turbocharged engine pushes out a far more satisfying 201hp, which is coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission for noticeably better acceleration performance.
As far as fuel economy is concerned, the 2021 Kia Soul performs very well on the highway with an estimated rating of 6.7L / 100km. However, the city figures are a little less impressive with 9.4L / 100km, fairly lacklustre for a car of this size.
This doesn't make the Soul a thirsty car in itself, but if city fuel economy is an absolute deal breaker, it may be worth considering the upcoming electric and hybrid versions of the Soul which have been recently announced.
Whether it's classed as a SUV or a hatch, the Soul offers plenty of space inside. Five passengers will fit comfortably, with both head and leg room erring on the generous side.
There's also plenty of room for cargo, offering 530L with the rear seats up or 1,758L folded down.
The infotainment system is controlled by the latest version of Kia's respected UVO interface, which is accessed through either a 7" or 10.3" colour touchscreen display.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard throughout the range, while features including in-dash navigation and real-time traffic information become available by upgrading to the larger screen.
At the base level, the Kia offers standard safety features including air bags, ABS brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control. But to start enjoying active driver assist measures, you need to move up at least one trim level. These extra features include:
- Backup camera.
- Cross traffic alerts.
- Blind spot monitoring,
- Lane departure warnings with keeping assist.
- Brake assist.
Head for the highest trim and you can even enjoy a head up display facility, to help you keep your eyes on the road.
If you like what you've seen so far, find out more by taking a test drive of the 2021 Kia Soul from our Calgary showroom. With its great performance, excellent infotainment, and individual sense of character, it could be your next favourite car.
Categories: New Inventory, Kia Soul