During the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia Corp, then Kia Motors, revealed the one and only 2020 Kia Soul, the next generation of the funky hatchback (third gen), and it was as great as ever! Many people found the Kia Soul to look a little odd – it’s pretty cube-shaped, blocky even – but that’s part of its charm. The first Kia model to introduce the GT-line, X-line, and EX Designer Collection, the Kia Soul continues to go strong, and Kia Corp recently released the highlights and specs of the next model year, the 2022 Kia Soul.
Powertrain
So many changes have come to the 2022 Kia Soul, it’s like an all-new vehicle. The new Kia Soul comes with the same two powertrains. A 2.0-liter DOHC engine, optimized with dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) can be found under the hood on the majority of the trims: LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, and EX. Able to generate 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, driving this “cube” is very smooth. The 2022 Kia Soul Turbo comes with a 1.6-liter DOHC engine with a turbocharger and can generate 201 horsepower. Odd that the GT-Line doesn’t come with this.
The six-speed manual transmission on the LX trim has been discontinued. Now, the LX joins the trims that come with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Again, the Turbo 1.6T trim differs, equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Upgrades and Changes
Along with the LX trim no longer coming with a six-speed manual transmission, this trim has a new Convenience Package created specifically to bring this base level trim to the next level. The new LX Convenience Package adds 16-inch alloy wheels for extra style and a collection of advanced safety features. These include Blind Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Change Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. All this, and the LX comes with one more upgrade – the standard touchscreen is now 8.0 inches versus the 7-inch touchscreen display standard of yesteryear.
More technology upgrades have been added to the rest of the lineup. Now standard on the S, X-Line and GT-Line, consumers will find a 10.25-inch display screen with navigation features, dual automatic climate control for comfort, wireless smartphone charger and dual USB chargers for convenience, and a push-button start with engine immobilizer for peace of mind. All of the trims past the LX come standard with the above mentioned advanced safety features, plus Forward Collision Avoidance Assist – Pedestrian detection features, only found on the 2022 Kia Soul Turbo trim.
One small change for paint color choices. Sparkling Silver didn’t have as much popularity in previous years, so Steel Gray is replacing the option for 2022. Anyone who gets a Kia Soul knows to go vibrant though, so this isn’t too bad of a change. After all, the cube shape of the Kia Soul gives way to plenty of nicknames. We all name our cars, or most of us do. Anyone who buys a blue Kia Soul and doesn’t call it the ice cube is missing out on one of the many ways Kia Corp helps consumers personalize their vehicles.
Find the new Kia Soul and many other Kia models at Miami Lakes Automall.