The Kia Soul competes with pretty unconventional styling in the compact SUV segment. The 2023 Kia Soul is here with some minor but desirable changes. To keep things interesting, Kia has redesigned the front grille along with the front and rear bumpers. To complement the new front fascia, even the headlamps are different. Coming to deductions this year, the more powerful turbocharged engine is no longer on offer, and neither is the rugged X-Line trim.
The 2023 Kia Soul MSRP starts at $19,890, and for that price, it is one of the cheapest Kia cars to buy in 2023. The 2023 Kia Soul scores high on practicality and affordability. The Kia Soul mpg ratings are 28 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The Kia Soul towing capacity is 2,000 pounds, while the Kia Soul trunk space is 24.2 cubic feet. Check out the video by Car Confections to learn more about the Soul 2023.Â
Check Out Some Favorite Kia Soul Cars At The Cheapest Prices
Buying Advice
Out of the four trim configirations on offer, we would recommend the 2023 Soul GT-Line trim. It's priced substantially higher at a base MSRP of $23,490 than the entry-level LX trim, making it $3,600 more expensive. Howeevr, for that extra money you get GT-Line body styling, 18-inch alloy sport wheels, flat-bottom steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and bigger infotaibment screen to name a few.
The 2023 Kia Soul is neither a flamboyant car nor does it try to be one. The Soul has established a name for itself in the competitive segment owing to its affordability, practicality, and low cost of ownership. The Soul 2023 received an overall great score of 82/100. For reliability and resale, the Soul scored 87/100 and 79/100, respectively. For driving and dealership experience, it scored 84/100 and 74/100, respectively.
The 2023 Kia Soul LX can be financed for a term of 60 months at a low APR of 4.75% with monthly payments of $360 and $2,000 as a down payment. Similarly, it can also be leased for a term of 36 months, with $284 per month and $2,284 due at signing the agreement. However, the above calculations are based on a credit score of 720. The final price will depend on the location, credit score, and trim configuration.
Features
8.0/10
The 2023 Kia Soul comes with four trim configurations: LX, S, EX, and GT-Line. Kia motors also provide GT-Line Tech Package. The base price starts at an MSRP of $19,890 for its LX variant and goes up to the MSRP of $24,190 for the EX Trim. However, a destination fee of $1,325 is levied on all trims. The S trim option adds more convenient features over the base LX like the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control.
The EX trim provides additional comfort features like heated seats and a sunroof. Furthermore, the GT-Line adds to the more convenience features and sportier appearance of the car. The car comes with a single engine option after the brand discontinued its turbo engine option. The car has extensive features all across the lineup. The exterior styling is also revamped with this new edition and looks more vibrant than other trims.Â
Trim
2023 Kia Soul LX
2023 Kia Soul S
2023 Kia Soul EX
2023 Kia Soul GT-Line
MSRP (FWD)
$19,890
$22,390
$24,190
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Fuel Economy
8.0/10
<p>Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel</p>
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<p>Rear-View Monitor</p>
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<p>Smart Key w/ Push-Button Start</p>
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<p>Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel & Gearshift Knob</p>
<p>Power Driver's Seat w/ Power Lumbar Support</p>
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<p>Cargo Cover</p>
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<p>Leather trimmed front seats</p>
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<p>16-inch alloy wheels</p>
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The 2023 Kia Soul's gas mileage is just about acceptable. It offers 28 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. Being equipped with a single powertrain option, fuel economy remains almost constant throughout the trim line-up.
The fuel efficiency figures are decent as per the segment, but certainly not the best. The car has a massive 14.3-gallon tank that can ensure more than 400 miles in the city and 471 miles on highways with a full tank. The car runs on unleaded fuel of octane 87 or higher.
Model
2023 Kia Soul
2023 Nissan Kicks
2023 Jeep Renegade
2023 Toyota C-HR
MPG (city)
28
31
23
27
MPG (highway)
33
36
29
31
MPG (combined)
30
33
26
29
Fuel capacity (gallons)
14.3-gallons
10.8-gallons
12.7-gallons
13.2-gallons
Range (City, highway, in miles)
400.4/471.9 mi
334.8/388.8 mi
292.1/368.3 mi
356.4/409.2 mi
The 2023 Kia Soul dominates over the Jeep Renegade and the Toyota C-HR in terms of fuel efficiency. However, the Nissan Kicks offer better fuel economy in all conditions. The fuel capacity of the 2023 Kia Soul is the largest in the segment.
For the same reason, the Soul has a higher running range than its rivals, both in the city and on the highways. The car is also equipped with an automatic engine start/stop system that turns off the engine automatically at stoplights and in heavy traffic.
Interior
8.0/10
The 2023 Kia Soul interior has excellent ergonomics. The matte silver interior with the soft touch material is provided over the dash and upper front door panels. The seats are cushioned and comfortable with cloth and Syntex upholstery. Kia offers gray two-tone and black woven cloth options. The GT-Line gets black/white and black SynTex options. The Soul EX gets the Tricot cloth upholstery in gray, two-tone, and black color options.
The car provides sufficient headroom and legroom for the passengers, thanks to the upright design of the Soul. The Kia Soul cargo space of 24.2 cu. ft. to the second seat and 62.1 cu. ft. to the front row is very practical. The interior is also incorporated with dual-zone climate control and an ionizer to clean the air from the cabin. The car’s noise insulation is poor, and one can hear wind noises at higher speeds.
Model
2023 Kia Soul
2023 Nissan Kicks
2023 Jeep Renegade
2023 Toyota C-HR
Passenger Capacity
5
5
5
5
First Row (Head/shoulder/legroom)
39.4/55.5/41.1
40.4/53/43.7
41.1/55.9/55.9
38.1/49/43.5
Second Row (Head/shoulder/legroom)
39.5/54.7/38.8
38.5/53/33.5
40.5/55.1/35.1
38.3/49/31.7
Cargo Capacity to the second row(cu.-ft)
24.2 cu.-ft
25.3 cu.-ft
18.5 cu.-ft
19.1 cu.-ft
Cargo Capacity to the first row(cu.-ft)
62.1 cu.-ft
32.3 cu.-ft
50.8 cu.-ft
37 cu.-ft
The 2023 Kia Soul provides apt visibility to the drivers, unlike the Nissan Kicks, which compromise it with its thick rear roof pillar. The car provides better rear headroom, shoulder room, and legroom than the Nissan Kicks and the Toyota C-HR.
The cargo capacity in the second row also leads the Renegade and the C-HR. The seating is also better in the Soul than in the Kicks. The Soul also dominates the Jeep Renegade’s interior in terms of comfort.
The 2023 Kia Soul comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen from the S trim onward. The display is provided with a navigation system and split-screen view. Also, connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The higher trims offer a 640-watt, 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Some other features, like a wireless charger, USB charging, and data ports, are also on the list.
Some of the key interior features available with the 2023 Kia Soul include:
Premium tricot cloth seat trim
Heated front seats
Sport design steering wheel
Sunroof
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Wireless charging
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Kia Connect
Exterior
8.0/10
<p>18-inch dark gray alloy wheels</p>
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<p>Android Auto and Apple Carplay</p>
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<p>Wireless Phone Charger</p>
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<p>Dual-Zone Auto Climate Control</p>
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<p>Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Avoidance</p>
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<p>Rear seats with 60/40 split</p>
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<p>Driver Attention Warning</p>
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<p>Power Sunroof</p>
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Kia offers a boxy design and stands out for its wagon-like profile. The front looks aggressive with the slim headlights. The rear profile of the Soul looks boxy and doesn’t form congruence with the stylish front. However, the unique L-shaped LED tail lamps add some bling to the relatively muted rear profile.
The side profile is accentuated with new 17-inch and 18-inch wheels to choose from. The 2023 Kia Soul colors are funky enough for Gen-Z, and in addition to the color palette of eleven colors, a few dual-tone options are also available.
Model
2023 Kia Soul
2023 Nissan Kicks
2023 Jeep Renegade
2023 Toyota C-HR
Curb Weight (lbs)
2,844 lbs
2,682 lbs
3,210 lbs
3,300 lbs
Length (in.)
165.2
169.1
166.6
172.6
Width (in.)
70.9
69.3
74.2
70.7
Height (in.)
63
63.3
66.5
61.6
Ground Clearance (in.)
6.7
7
8
5.9
Wheelbase (in.)
102.4
103.1
101.2
103.9
The Kia Soul has quite an unusual exterior. Despite the boxy profile, it's not the tallest. The Toyota C-HR is the longest in the comparison, while the Jeep Renegade is the widest and tallest. It also offers a higher ground clearance, staying true to its roots. The Nissan Kicks has the lowest curb weight which aids in better fuel economy. The Kia Soul dimensions are pretty well balanced and fare well in the comparison.
The 2023 Kia Soul color options are:
Undercover Green
Surf Blue
Steel Gray
Snow White Pearl
Neptune Blue
Mars Orange
Fusion Black
Inferno Red
Gravity Gray
2023 Kia Soul dual-tone color options:
Surf Blue with Fusion Black roof
Clear White with Fusion Black roof
Safety
7.5/10
The 2023 Kia Soul has received a ‘Good’ rating in the safety tests that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts. However, the report also depicts that the trims offer poor headlights. The Kia Soul also received four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). So, overall, it's not the safest of the lot, but it comes with a decent safety quotient.
Some of the major safety features available with the 2023 Kia Soul include
The 2023 Kia Soul and 2023 Nissan Kicks offer best choices to the customers. Both offer a number of features at a reasonable price point. The Soul is roomier and more spacious than Nissan Kicks. It is more comfortable and quieter than the Kicks and delivers more on technology.
The Kicks also has more body roll than Kia’s Soul. The exterior design of both cars is appealing and the choice remains to be subjective. The Soul also leads the list of safety features and was better rated in crash tests by NHTSA and IIHS.
2023 Kia Soul vs 2023 Jeep Renegade
Both the boxy crossovers ensure a comfortable ride for the occupants. The 2023 Jeep Renegade dominates over the off-roading capabilities among both. The Renegade also provides an AWD for better control over rocky paths.
The Renegade also leads in space and power output over the Soul. However, the Jeep Renegade is significantly more expensive than the Soul. The Kia Soul is a good choice for a city-oriented comfortable drive whereas the Renegade is better for all-terrain adventure.
2023 Kia Soul vs 2023 Toyota C-HR
The 2023 Kia Soul provides better space than the Toyota C-HR. It also provides better stopping power than the latter. Kia doesn’t disappoint in handling either and provides superior maneuverability than the C-HR.
Kia’s exterior is more appealing and provides a modern-day stylish profile, while Toyota’s C-HR looks conventional. Furthermore, the Soul provides better technology and safety than the latter.
Final Verdict
The 2023 Kia Soul is a well-balanced crossover that offers a comfortable ride for daily commutes. It is a reliable choice at a reasonable price. The Kia Soul's mpg ratings are decent. However, if you want better performance and a refined NVH, then there are better options like the Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V, which are more aerodynamic. If you are looking for practicality, affordability, and more urban commutes, then the Soul won't disappoint you. But if you are into better styling, performance, and highway commutes, then the rivals make more sense.
For just $500, the 2022 Kia Soul LX gets the LX Technology package which adds a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and 16-inch alloy wheels to the features list
Is the Kia Soul a long-lasting car?
With a 5-year cost of ownership expected to be around $37,333 and many of the older generation Kia Soul running for about 200,000 miles before expecting any major mechanical issue, the Kia Soul is one of the most reliable cars in the segment
Is there going to be a 2023 Kia Soul?
Expected to hit the dealerships around summer this year, the 2023 Kia Soul gets updated front and rear-end designs and a couple of other changes.
Why are Kia Souls being recalled?
Kia has recalled over 128,000 Kia Souls from the 2014 model year over an airbag inflator issue. The airbag may not deploy well in a crash and if this happens, the occupants may not be protected properly.
This is my second Kis Soul. I just love this car
The fact that the drivers seat is adjustable and it is almost like a little suv is important to me.
Very comfortablke to drive and so fin. Just wish it included the gerbil!
