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2017 Kia Soul

Rating7.3

Ranked #1 in

Subcompact Wagon

Write Review

$16,100 - $22,800

Starting Price

Year

Nathan Dyer

Senior Editor,

Updated on May 3, 2024

Pros	Cons	What's New
Unique design	Thirsty engine	New 1.6L 201 hp turbo-4 engine for the top trim
Excellent Value	Loud when speeds
Spacious interior	Driving dynamics not great

Specs & Features

$16,100

price

130 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

118 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 6M

engine

basic warranty

Overview

While there is only change this year, it is a very exciting one for the 2017 Kia Soul. The top-end Exclaim (!) model is now powered by an all-new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The new turbo-4 engine produces 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque that legit puts a lot of 'soul' into its performance. The 2017 Kia Soul price is hiked by just $245 and now starts at $16,995 including the $895 destination fee.

Featuring a 4-trim lineup of Base, Plus, and Exclaim, the 2017 Kia Soul MSRP can be an expense of $16,995-$23,695 this season. Having said that, it simply translates to the fact that the range-leader 2027 Kia Soul Exclaim will cost you $6,700 more than the Base for enhanced specs and assets.

We Recommend

While one might be excited to get hands on the top Exclaim model, it tends to get very expensive for most budget buyers. Therefore, sticking to the 2017 Kia Soul Plus (+) trim makes more sense as it offers the most value for the investment.

The 2017 Kia Soul interior is what attracts most buyers to its dealerships. The spacious cargo space and plenty of passenger room with a decent level of technology create a complete package. It also scores well in terms of safety and the Soul problems are lost limited. At this price point, the Kia Soul locks horns against the more sporty Mazda CX-3, the practical Chevrolet Trax, or the premium Buick Encore.

2017 Kia Soul for sale

Buyers can opt for either the finance or lease options while buying for the Soul. The Kia Soul finance offers start at $296/month for a 60-month duration at 3.75% APR while the Soul lease deals begin at a monthly premium of $237 for a tenure of 36 months. Both offers require a $1,700 down payment and the lease deal has a 10,000-mile annual mileage limit.

For budget-oriented buyers, the used Kia Soul can be availed of with a base price of $1,999. Going for older model years like the 2014 Kia Soul could be a matter of $5,788 and Kia Soul 2014 can cost as much as $21,195 along with a listing of up to 842 in total.

Buying Advice

The plus trim is a very good buy. It contains all the necessary features for a daily driver including bluetooth, satellite radio, a dcent sound system and automatic climate control.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The refreshed 2017 Kia Soul features a mild exterior styling update and a new engine option is added, which is exclusive to the top-range Exclaim trim. The Kia Soul is a boxy compact hatchback or to be precise a wagon. Though it adorns a crossover-like stance but is front-wheel-drive only. There is a Soul EV for sale as well, and we review it separately.

Over the period of five years of ownership, the 2017 Kia Soul will cost you around $18,970 for fuel, insurance, maintenance, and repair costs. That’s almost $3,800 per year, which is lower than average for a 2017 compact car.

Buying Advice

The Soul Plus receives a bigger 161 hp 2.0-liter engine and is available only with the automatic transmission. The Plus trim is the most valuable option as it adds a more powerful engine, a rearview camera, fog lights, and remote keyless entry. You will have to pay $3,700 more than the base price but it's worth considering all the upgrades above. Also, available features are mostly limited to the Plus and Exclaim trims, including a panoramic sunroof, two fast-charge USB ports, a Harmon Kardon audio system, HD Radio, an 8-inch touch screen, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and a navigation system.

Features
6.0/10

The 2017 Kia soul is available in 3 trim levels for sale, including the base, Plus (+), and Exclaim (!). Starting from $16,100, the base 2017 Kia Soul has some decent standard features including 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker audio system with USB input and satellite radio.

Stepping up to the Plus trim will cost you $19,800 and adds a standard 161 hp 2.0-liter engine, 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, foglights, remote keyless entry, selectable drive modes, cruise control, automatic climate control, center armrests for front and back seats, a 5-inch touchscreen, and a rearview camera.

Trim	Soul	+ (Plus)	! (Exclaim)
MSRP (Manual)	$16,995	-	-
MSRP (Automatic)	$18,595	$20,695	$23,695
Key Features	Body-color, power outside mirrors	Front fog lights	Outside mirrors w/turn signal indicators Front fog lights
	Trip computer	Trip computer	Bluetooth wireless technology
	Bluetooth wireless technology	Bluetooth wireless technology	UVO Infotainment System w/7" touch screen, Apple CarPlayTM12 & Android Auto
	2 front, 2 rear, 2 tweeter speakers	2 front, 2 rear, 2 tweeter speakers	2 front, 2 rear, 2 tweeter speakers
	AM/FM/MP3/SiriusXM Satellite Radio	AM/FM/MP3/SiriusXM Satellite Radio	AM/FM/MP3/SiriusXM Satellite Radio
	Air conditioning	Automatic temperature control w/cluster ionizer	Automatic temperature control w/cluster ionizer
	Privacy glass	Air conditioning	Air conditioning
	Multi-Focus Reflector Headlights	Privacy glass	Privacy glass

At the top of the range, the Exclaim trim starts at an MSRP of $22,800 for which you get the new 201 hp 1.6-liter turbocharged engine along with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission along with 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and upholstery trim, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The 2017 Soul’s base engine gets an EPA estimated 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, which is below average for the class. Surprisingly, fuel efficiency increases with the more powerful engines. The larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine raises this MPG rating to 25/30 mpg city/highway, and the turbocharged engine in the Soul Exclaim delivers 26/31 mpg city/highway.

Model	2017 Kia soul	2017 Buick Encore	2017 Mazda CX-3	2017 Chevrolet Trax
MPG (city)	24	25	29	25
MPG (highway)	30	33	34	33
MPG (combined)	27	28	31	28
Fuel Capacity	14.2 gallon	14 gallon	12.7 gallon	14 gallon
Range (city/hwy/combined)	341/426/383	350/462/392	368/432/393	350/462/392

There is no difference in fuel consumption with either the automatic or the manual transmission as both can return 24mpg in the city. It y=on you now if you want to spend $1,500 premium for the automatic for its extra ease of use.

Interior
7.0/10

"The Kia Soul's cabin feels big and spacious, even if you ignore its relatively small footprint. The rear seats are especially spacious, with plenty of head- and legroom for taller passengers. The panoramic sunroof further enhances the sense of space" - Edmunds

2017 Soul Seating and Comfort

The 2017 Kia Soul comes standard with cloth upholstery and seating for five. Considering the low starting price of around $16,000, the panels are well grained and feel substantial but there is a lot of plastic throughout the interior. However, most spots you touch are padded.

There are ample controlling options and primary controls as well as buttons that are well labeled and easy to use. The tall stance of the Soul allows a slightly taller ride height which makes getting in and out of the car a smooth affair.

Model	2017 Kia soul	2017 Buick Encore	2017 Mazda CX-3	2017 Chevrolet Trax
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.6/55.5/40.9	39.58/54.18/40.82	38.4/53.5/41.7	39.6/54.1/40.8
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.5/54.7/39.1	38.78/52.55/35.75	37.2/50.4/35.0	38.8/52.8/35.7

Model

2017 Kia soul

2017 Buick Encore

2017 Mazda CX-3

2017 Chevrolet Trax

Passenger capacity

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.6/55.5/40.9

39.58/54.18/40.82

38.4/53.5/41.7

39.6/54.1/40.8

Second

(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.5/54.7/39.1

38.78/52.55/35.75

37.2/50.4/35.0

38.8/52.8/35.7

The Soul's cabin is big and spacious, even if you ignore the small wheelbase. There is ample headroom for each seating position, due to its high roofline. The rear seats are spacious too, with plenty of legroom. The optional panoramic sunroof also enhances the sense of space inside.

Opting for the top trim gets you better quality material and seat trim. Available features include combination cloth/leather seats, leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a heated steering wheel.

2017 Soul Infotainment System

The technology and entertainment features in the 2017 Soul include a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, a USB port, and satellite radio. A 5.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment is standard on Plus models with a rearview camera. The available UVO infotainment system is based on the Android Linux operating system instead of the Microsoft backend of previous versions. It is intuitive and easy to use, and smartphone integration through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay works seamlessly.

Optional features include automatic climate control, a rearview camera, a 5-inch touch-screen display, the UVO infotainment system with a 7- or 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 4.3-inch digital instrument cluster display, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, navigation, HD Radio, two USB ports, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof.

2017 Soul Cargo Space

The Kia Soul has 18.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity available behind the rear seats with the cargo tray in place—24.2 cubes without it. Capacity increases to 61 cubic feet with the seats folded which are better than most hatchbacks.

Model	2017 Kia soul	2017 Buick Encore	2017 Mazda CX-3	2017 Chevrolet Trax
Cargo Volume rear seat up	24.2 ft.3	18.8 ft.3	12.4 ft.3	18.7 ft.3
Cargo Volume rear seat down	49.5 ft.3	48.4 ft.3	44.5 ft.3	48.4 ft.3

A removable bin under the cargo floor accepts smaller items. Kia has taken care of your small items with storage options like Bins, pockets, and cupholders. Other vehicles offer more and larger storage options.

Exterior
8.0/10

"You'll still immediately recognize the 2017 Kia Soul for what it is, but there are a couple of minor tweaks to the exterior. Front and rear bumpers have changed a bit, with the Soul Plus getting body-color inserts, and the Soul Exclaim getting black." - Kelley Blue Book

2017 Soul Dimensions and Weight

The 2017 Kia Soul has a boxy shape which is a mix of a hatchback, a wagon, and an SUV. It's a refreshing take on the car and Kia has done well to give it a funky style, and a youthful approach. The boxy shape makes the most of the interior space.

The 2017 Soul continues with its abrupt windshield pillar and a flat roofline profile that manages to be boxy without being too square. Higher trims get body-colored exteriors, but even base models aren't short for good looks.

Model	2017 Kia soul	2017 Buick Encore	2017 Mazda CX-3	2017 Chevrolet Trax
Curb weight (lbs.)	2884	3237	2809	2805
Length(in)	163.0	168.41	168.3	167.6
Width(in)	70.9	69.85	69.6	69.9
Height(in)	63.5	65.26	60.7	64.8
Ground clearance (in)	5.9	6.22	6.1	6.2
Wheelbase (in)	101.2	100.60	101.2	100.6
Track width (in) F/R	62.0/62.5	60.62/60.62	60.0/59.9	60.6/60.6

In terms of size, the compact Soul has a small footprint and a wheelbase measuring 101.2 inches, which is average in the class. At 163 inches, the 2017 Soul is slightly shorter, still, it offers ample room inside and class-leading cargo space. The vehicle's curb weight ranges from 2,884 pounds to 3,366 pounds., depending on the trim you choose.

Safety
5.0/10

The NHTSA gave the 2017 Soul a great five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave the Soul a Good score on all crash tests. Since the car is not available with automatic emergency braking it gets a Basic rating in the front crash prevention test.

The 2017 Soul is available with a rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, forward collision warning and lane departure warning are only available in the mid-grade Plus trim.

Dual front advanced airbags
Dual front seat-mounted side airbags
Height-adjustable front seat-belt anchors
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
Front & rear 3-point seat belts

Competition
9.0/10

2017 Kia Soul vs 2017 Buick Encore

The design language of the encore looks subtle. It doesn’t feel butch and looks everyday car-like. The Encore's interior space, engine, practicality options are almost similar to Chevrolet because both are built by GMC. The overall difference between Soul and Encore is evident in the design language and the price tag. It retails close to $23,000, almost $7,000 more than Soul, making it the most expensive option currently on sale when compared to base trims.

2017 Kia Soul vs 2017 Mazda CX-3

The Mazda CX-3 is one of the sportiest mini SUV that is currently on sale in the market. It has a really good engine which has a good amount of power and very frugal at the same time. However, it’s not spacious at the back which might make the passengers feel cramped and cargo volume is also less when compared to the competition. Also, to be noted is the fact that the starting price is over $19,000 dollars which might make you think once. Overall, it should be considered when you are looking for a small SUV.

Final Verdict

The 2017 Soul is a good compact car to buy. It is affordable and spacious, and it has excellent safety and predicted reliability ratings. While some rivals are more fun to drive, they can’t quite match the Soul’s value and overall practicality. Also, compared with the new 2018 Soul which is almost $1000 pricier than the average price of 2017 Soul and adds standard with adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Still, we would favour a used 2017 Kia Soul to save money as most features are available on higher trims.

Trims

Base
$16,100 onwards

60/40-Split folding rear seats
Bluetooth
Cloth upholstery
Satellite radio
Six-Speaker audio system
Tilt-And-Telescoping steering wheel
USB input

Plus
$19,800 onwards

5-Inch touchscreen
Automatic climate control
Automatic headlights
Center armrests for front and back seats
Cruise control
Foglights
Heated mirrors
Remote keyless entry

!
$22,800 onwards

18-Inch wheels
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Keyless entry and ignition
Leather-Wrapped steering wheel
Upholstery trim

Compare to similar cars

7.3

2017 Kia Soul

Price

$16,100- $22,800

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.3

Horsepower

201 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

195 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

Capacity

Read Review

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's 0-60

	Car Name	0-60 MPH	Quarter Mile	Top Speed	Source
	2017 Kia Soul	7.2 sec	15.6 sec	112 mph

	Car Name	MPG City	MPG Highway	MPG Combined	Fuel Tank Capacity	Range (C/H)	Source
	2017 Kia Soul	25 mpg	30 mpg	27 mpg	14.2 gal.	340.8/426 mi.

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's dimensions

	Car Name	Length	Width	Height	Ground Clearance	Wheelbase	Source
	2017 Kia Soul	163 in.	70.9 in.	63.5 in.	5.9 in.	101.2 in.

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's trunk space

	Car Name	Trunk Capacity	Passenger Volume	Max Trunk Volume	Source
	2017 Kia Soul	18.8 cu.ft.	101 cu.ft.	49.5 cu.ft.

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's cargo space

	Car Name	Cargo Volume	Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area	Max Cargo Volume	Source
	2017 Kia Soul	49.5 cu.ft.	18.8 cu.ft.	49.5 cu.ft.

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's towing capacity

	Car Name	Towing Capacity	Weight	Source
	2017 Kia Soul	3300 lbs.	2884 lbs.

2017 Kia Soul Wagon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

Recalls

Investigations

248

Complaints

Overall Safety Rating

2017 Kia K900

Horsepower : 311 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 20 mpg

0-60 : 6.4 sec

2017 Kia Cadenza

Horsepower : 290 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG Combined : 23 mpg

0-60 : 6.6 sec

2017 Kia Sedona

Horsepower : 276 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 20 mpg

0-60 : 7.7 sec

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

Horsepower : 192 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 42 mpg

0-60 : 7.7 sec

2017 Kia Optima

Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 29 mpg

0-60 : 8 sec

2017 Kia Sorento

Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 24 mpg

0-60 : 9.4 sec

2017 Kia Sportage

Horsepower : 181 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 26 mpg

0-60 : 9.4 sec

2017 Kia Forte

Horsepower : 147 hp @ 6200 rpm

MPG Combined : 28 mpg

0-60 : 9.5 sec

2017 Kia Niro Hybrid

Horsepower : 139 hp @ 5700 rpm

MPG Combined : 50 mpg

0-60 : 8.6 sec

2017 Kia Rio

Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 31 mpg

0-60 : 8.4 sec

#10

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Kia Souls expensive to repair?

The Kia Soul comes with a 10-year powertrain warranty and has a 5-year cost of ownership of $37,333. While the Honda and Toyota are cheaper to maintain, they do not get such a comprehensive warranty package.

How long will a 2017 Kia Soul last?

A well-kept 2017 Soul can keep going for around 200,000 miles if driven properly. Therefore, for an average American user, it should last for about 12-13 years.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Kia Soul?

The 2017 Soul has been recalled only once for an Airbag fault as the airbags may not inflate and thereby increase the risk of an injury.

How much is a 2017 Kia Soul?

The 2017 Soul price starts at $16,100 excluding the $895 destination fee and goes all the way to $22,800 for the top-end model.

2017 Kia Soul User Reviews

0.0

[2 Reviews]

[0.0%] [0 Reviews]

POPULAR TAGS

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Tori smith

2017 Kia Soul

4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6M)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: August 12, 2024

Best car ive owned

Pros - ["Lots of space", "Comfortable seats", "Great miles"]

Cons - ["The maintaining", "The oil changes", "Needs plugs"]

I love the details to the car and i love the quality's that it has. I love the miles per gallons it great for families. Its great for vacations and great if u like space. It has great loud speakers if u like ur music loud.

Dan McGrath

2016 Kia Soul

4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6M)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: June 28, 2024

Great little car

Pros - ["Gas Economy", "The Stereo"]

Cons - ["Lack of Trunk Space", "Lack of rear 12v port"]

I use it for uber and a full tank of gas can last me an 8 hour day. It gets about 350 miles on a full tank. Great on gas. The interior is also very comfortable, not only for myself as driver but also for passengers as well, many have complemented me on it. It stops on a dime as well, and has good pick up. It does have a lack of trunk space being a smaller car, but I am yet to run into and major i...

Other Subcompact Wagon

2017 Kia Soul

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News

Car Comparison

Specs & Features

Overview

We Recommend

2017 Kia Soul for sale

Buying Advice

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Buying Advice

Features6.0/10

Fuel Economy7.0/10

Interior7.0/10

2017 Soul Seating and Comfort

2017 Soul Infotainment System

2017 Soul Cargo Space

Exterior8.0/10

2017 Soul Dimensions and Weight

Safety5.0/10

Competition9.0/10

2017 Kia Soul vs 2017 Buick Encore

2017 Kia Soul vs 2017 Mazda CX-3

Final Verdict

Trims

Compare to similar cars

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's 0-60

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's MPG

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's dimensions

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's trunk space

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's cargo space

2017 Kia Soul vs competitor's towing capacity

2017 Kia Soul Wagon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

Top Kia Cars

2017 Kia K900

2017 Kia Cadenza

2017 Kia Sedona

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

2017 Kia Optima

2017 Kia Sorento

2017 Kia Sportage

2017 Kia Forte

2017 Kia Niro Hybrid

2017 Kia Rio

Frequently Asked Questions

2017 Kia Soul User Reviews

0.0

Best car ive owned

Pros - ["Lots of space", "Comfortable seats", "Great miles"]

Cons - ["The maintaining", "The oil changes", "Needs plugs"]

Great little car

Pros - ["Gas Economy", "The Stereo"]

Cons - ["Lack of Trunk Space", "Lack of rear 12v port"]

Other Subcompact Wagon

Features
6.0/10

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

Interior
7.0/10

Exterior
8.0/10

Safety
5.0/10

Competition
9.0/10