It's the third generation for the distinctive toaster-shaped hatchback-crossover.
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Mood lighting and a funky attitude: The 2020 Kia Soul
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You know, I’ve always liked the Kia Soul - from the hamster commercials to the mood lighting - I love that it’s not afraid to stand out from the utterly forgettable crowd of cars these days.
Every year I end up renting one or two during business trips, and to my utter shame, when it’s come time but a new car over the past ten years...I wimp out. The inner me wants that “the heck with everyone else” car; the outer me takes refuge in the maddening crowd.
Maybe with the new EV version later this year, I can finally talk myself into doing the fun thing for my soul.
Every year I end up renting one or two during business trips, and to my utter shame, when it’s come time but a new car over the past ten years...I wimp out. The inner me wants that “the heck with everyone else” car; the outer me takes refuge in the maddening crowd.
Maybe with the new EV version later this year, I can finally talk myself into doing the fun thing for my soul.
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This almost exactly describes my personal Soul experience.
Floating C-pillars aside, this vehicle (the whole history, not necessarily this generation) exemplifies my favorite trend in the automotive industry. The Soul isn't the fastest, or the sportiest, or the biggest, or the smallest, or the tech-iest, or the most efficient, or whatever. But: holy shit, you would have killed for this vehicle as a daily driver ten years ago, never mind twenty. It's just so competent in every facet. It probably has engineering decisions you don't prefer. Maybe you wish it were a little quicker on an on-ramp, or whatever. It doesn't have defects the way older cars did, things that were actually wrong with the car, things that would rust the body away or get you killed for no reason.
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I like the more sedate interior on the 3rd Gen. I found the over use of circular designs in the outgoing model off putting. Maybe it just reminded me too much of the infamous late 90's oval Taurus.
Now that Kia has changed the model naming scheme, I'd really like to see a Soul+ that is a half size bigger. Something akin to a Honda Element replacement.
Now that Kia has changed the model naming scheme, I'd really like to see a Soul+ that is a half size bigger. Something akin to a Honda Element replacement.
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I have an '05 Scion xB, and I'm just disappointed the whole "box on wheels" design has disappeared. I love the small size & good cargo space this car has. Whenever this Scion dies (which might take another decade, this thing is well built!), the Kia Soul might be my next car. My other consideration is a Subaru Crosstrek, but I just like the Soul's small, boxy design compared to the bigger crossovers.
Also, I have to admit, that mood lighting appeals to me.
Also, I have to admit, that mood lighting appeals to me.
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The trend of CVTs to universally emulate traditional automatics is a funny one since its kinda anti-efficiency. Having said that, those first gen CVTs that would just infinitely vary the ratios as you accelerated did have a sorta sickly sound to them. The engine would rev and slowly spool down as the transmission smoothly varied the ratio behind the scenes. It didn't sound like what we're used to, and I have a feeling that really turned people off. I'm not sure if sickly is the best way to describe it, but it was peculiar.
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My daughter also has an xB, and I always thought it was the closest thing to a perfect car I'd ever driven or ridden in. Small size, incredible leg and head room, good handling, economical - it hit all the marks. If it had been mine, I would have preferred just a little more horsepower - but it had no problem keeping up with traffic on the highway and handling well at that speed.
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This is the kind of car I'd be interested in. I've owned hatchbacks in the past and really loved the interior cargo space. I'd like to see better combined mileage, though, since that's about what I get with my 16 year old Civic now.
Still, it seems to have much of what I want without a lot of the crap they're putting into cars today.
But for Jonathan, I didn't read anything about updates from Kia for the car, so is there a "connected car" thing here or not? Pricing suggests not, but I've been wrong about that in the past.
Also, how high up does one sit?
When I hear "SUV", I assume one doesn't step DOWN into it as much as they step up, and step DOWN coming out of it. I know a lot of these "HatchSUV's" (Or is that "SUVBacks"?) sit higher than would, than an early 2000's Civic, which would be a desirable feature for 6'3" me as age sets in on my joints. It's hard to tell from the pictures how that might work. Unfolding myself from my Civic is getting more difficult each year.
As for the sports package and all that, I'm good with getting from A to B as inexpensively as possible. As long as it gets up to freeway speed before I have to merge, I'm good. I'd probably opt for a basic model. I'd love to see this in a hybrid with better mileage, too.
A new car isn't exactly on the radar at the moment, but that time's coming one way or the other. This one goes on my list to consider.
Still, it seems to have much of what I want without a lot of the crap they're putting into cars today.
But for Jonathan, I didn't read anything about updates from Kia for the car, so is there a "connected car" thing here or not? Pricing suggests not, but I've been wrong about that in the past.
Also, how high up does one sit?
When I hear "SUV", I assume one doesn't step DOWN into it as much as they step up, and step DOWN coming out of it. I know a lot of these "HatchSUV's" (Or is that "SUVBacks"?) sit higher than would, than an early 2000's Civic, which would be a desirable feature for 6'3" me as age sets in on my joints. It's hard to tell from the pictures how that might work. Unfolding myself from my Civic is getting more difficult each year.
As for the sports package and all that, I'm good with getting from A to B as inexpensively as possible. As long as it gets up to freeway speed before I have to merge, I'm good. I'd probably opt for a basic model. I'd love to see this in a hybrid with better mileage, too.
A new car isn't exactly on the radar at the moment, but that time's coming one way or the other. This one goes on my list to consider.
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I spent a couple of weeks with a Soul when my Mazda3 put a quick end to a coyote-deer pursuit. (It was the only thing left on the rental lot that had winter tires.)
It was a thoroughly competent car. (Fatesrider, if you're 6'3", the seat level as you get in is at about butt level and your sitting posture will be similar to a good office chair with its gas lift set low.) As a city car, I think it would have been quite practical, and kind of fun. You can fit a Great Pyrenees in the cargo bay with room to spare.
On my mostly rural commute, the steering felt a little dead and the chassis dynamics a little wallowy. But that's by comparison to a Mazda3, which is a class leader on both counts. I'd definitely consider an EV version of the Soul, when it shows up.
It was a thoroughly competent car. (Fatesrider, if you're 6'3", the seat level as you get in is at about butt level and your sitting posture will be similar to a good office chair with its gas lift set low.) As a city car, I think it would have been quite practical, and kind of fun. You can fit a Great Pyrenees in the cargo bay with room to spare.
On my mostly rural commute, the steering felt a little dead and the chassis dynamics a little wallowy. But that's by comparison to a Mazda3, which is a class leader on both counts. I'd definitely consider an EV version of the Soul, when it shows up.
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Sadly the North American market isn't interested enough in boxes on wheels to sustain the market. You'll need to move to Asia for that. Which leads me to...
The Cube is still around and in production, just not in the US.
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No, not much connectivity as far as I remember. Kia said the h-point was raised compared to the last one but I can't seem to find the exact dimension now.
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The EV version is going to a great car. Long range, truly affordable, very practical.
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The soul is also kinda the reason the cube isn't sold here any more. It crushed everything in cube car category and sold way way better then kia expected. It's consistently been among or the best selling subcompact in the us.
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It is extremely stupid, and we don't seem to get this nonsense in Europe.
The engine note is only peculiar if you don't understand what is going on. How those people will adapt to electric motors I have no idea.
CVTs haven't used rubber belts for quite a while. They use a kind of reverse chain, a pusher belt consisting of blocks mounted on flexible steel bands. This greatly reduces the power needed to operate the cones. Having a number of fixed ratios means that step wear in the cones could be an issue, while continuous variation should even out the wear.
tl;dr consumers are incredibly conservative in the worst possible way.
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Europeans also still tend to get manual options in all their "regular" non enthusiast cars, so in general I'm just jealous
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Ugh, between these and Honda CRVs... it’s best to get around them as quick as possible in traffic or you’re in for an awful time.
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As a Scion xB (old-style) owner, this doesn't scream "umigosh gotta have it". It's not quirky enough to suit my personality. I'm hoping my car holds out until 2022 when I can plunk down for the groovy VW-IDBuzz.
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I remember in the 2000's that in Australia (where I lived at the time), the Honda Jazz CVT had smooth ratio variation. In the US, the same car (named the Honda Fit) had the CVT tuned to imitate a standard automatic transmission. Apparently the US market didn't like the (more efficient) smooth ratio variation.
I can't find a source for that unfortunately, but I distinctly remember it.
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I've got an old Audi A4 Avant 2.4L V6 with CVT - it's lovely - there are no steps, no feeling of gears - just a smooth acceleration from 0 to infinity & beyond. There's a bit of a lag when I put my foot down - I understand this may be something to do with the double clutch arrangement. But it would do my head in if it faked gear changes
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I genuinely like the Soul but the price creep is moving this into similar prices of more compelling vehicles.
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It just sounded like there was something wrong with the transmission, that must be why they do the gears. I know I freaked out a bit because regular automatics that wouldn’t shift past a certain gear was a thing on cheaper cars after some age. Hence the “shifts”.
There’s also something people don’t talk about those points: they help you do engine braking if the car has a manual mode.
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Had one a couple of years ago as a rental when visiting family in NY (in the 'burbs, not downtown). I can't think of a better rental car: plenty of room for 4, enough space for everybody's luggage (1 checked bag, the rest carryons). Performance? Does it really matter when the freeways are mostly choked with traffic or, away from peak periods, trucks? You're not going anywhere quickly. It was responsive enough, driven like an old diesel (the gas pedal has travel; use it). Survived several major potholes in the Bronx and Queens. Got reasonable gas mileage. Access & seating suited all including the mobility-impaired one. But it just felt a little ... cheap. Not really at the top of my list for personal purchase and living with for 10-15 years.
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There was nothing wrong with the transmission. I have driven older CVT cars that acted the same way. It's the most efficient way to set them up - spool up to maximum torque or power depending on speed and power demand (pedal position) then drop back as soon as possible. It's something you have to get used to. Hondas and Nissans have been like that since the 1990s. Prius, actually, works the same way although it's not a rubber-band transmission. People are more comfortable, though, with the feeling of "gears" so with slight loss of efficiency the CVTs are programmed to provide that. It's called "the customer is (always/usually/sometimes/never but we have to be able to sell it) right."
Frankly, when you're getting 9 or 10 speed automatics, you could just as well have a CVT.
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Chemical Tribe
Ars Legatus Legionis
Basically a lot of features that were only on higher trims is now standard. Like the infotainment system and the lcd screen for the instrument cluster.
However they should have gone all led this generation.
And the settings for the interior lighting are in the infotainment system now instead of dedicated switches.
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If you haven't been in a more recent hyundia/kia you really can't talk about interior quality. They have made huge improvements.
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With an older CVT, you hear the engine drone as you accelerate. With most EVs I've driven, you don't hear anything from the motor. Our eGolf has a faint whine when you're flooring it onto the freeway, and it's basically silent otherwise.
Jumping between my '05 Outback (gas/conventional automatic) and the '18 eGolf always throws me off a bit - it's not the shifting, it's the braking. The Subaru gives me mild engine braking in 'D'. The eGolf gives you none in 'D' (by default), but maxes out the regen in 'B'. So I'll get towards an intersection, let off the gas pedal, and the car comes to a sudden stop rather than gradually slowing. It's fine once you're used to it, but it's a weird learning curve.
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I own 2 cars with CVT. One is used as the daily commute car and the other is a 4WD SUV that we use as the weekend/utility vehicle.
When I first got a car with a CVT, I found it a bit disconcerting, like it was 'slipping' all the time. After a week of driving, this feeling disappeared and I got used to it. Now when I get occasionally drive an automatic, I feel that there is something wrong with them as they gear changes make it like the gear box is 'sticking'. I suppose its what you get used to.
I do like the CVT in traffic as there are no gear changes, just smooth acceleration and deceleration which reduces stress (except when you are stuck behind a manual car driver who takes 3 seconds to change gears.)
Both cars have artificial step changes in the CVT if required by putting the car into a 'manual' drive mode, however normal driving I prefer no step changes. I do use the manual mode when going down step hills and have found it more effective than an auto, and close to a manual in its ability to keep the car descent speed down.
I have also found the CVT is good when doing hill climbs on slippery surfaces. The car finds the right revs to keep the car climbing jerk free with no risk of stuffing the gear changes or stalling it on take off.
The fuel economy of the CVT's puts them pretty damn close to manuals so that is another reason to like them.
I understand and appreciate that some people prefer manuals (having owned a turbo R34 Skyline) and automatics to CVT's, and they may well have use cases that find the manuals more suitable, but I suspect for the majority of people, once they get past the different way they sound and drive, they are perfectly adequate for their needs.
When I first got a car with a CVT, I found it a bit disconcerting, like it was 'slipping' all the time. After a week of driving, this feeling disappeared and I got used to it. Now when I get occasionally drive an automatic, I feel that there is something wrong with them as they gear changes make it like the gear box is 'sticking'. I suppose its what you get used to.
I do like the CVT in traffic as there are no gear changes, just smooth acceleration and deceleration which reduces stress (except when you are stuck behind a manual car driver who takes 3 seconds to change gears.)
Both cars have artificial step changes in the CVT if required by putting the car into a 'manual' drive mode, however normal driving I prefer no step changes. I do use the manual mode when going down step hills and have found it more effective than an auto, and close to a manual in its ability to keep the car descent speed down.
I have also found the CVT is good when doing hill climbs on slippery surfaces. The car finds the right revs to keep the car climbing jerk free with no risk of stuffing the gear changes or stalling it on take off.
The fuel economy of the CVT's puts them pretty damn close to manuals so that is another reason to like them.
I understand and appreciate that some people prefer manuals (having owned a turbo R34 Skyline) and automatics to CVT's, and they may well have use cases that find the manuals more suitable, but I suspect for the majority of people, once they get past the different way they sound and drive, they are perfectly adequate for their needs.
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Same here. I finally got a '96 Element about 8 years ago, after having my heart set on one for almost a decade. And then when I realized that, yes, it was the vehicle of my dreams, they stopped making new ones.
The only thing I want different from a newer Element is for it to get decent gas mileage.
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Chemical Tribe
Ars Legatus Legionis
Still wish the trailster concept would be made.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1510 ... info-news/
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1510 ... info-news/
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I think one of the most disconcerting things about modern CVTs is how sophisticated the programming has become. Ignoring things like eco and sport modes, the algorithms seem to work out the demand (speed and pedal position) and then work out the most economical rpm to achieve it. In sport mode, they seem to work out the rpm which will give the greatest acceleration if the pedal is suddenly depressed.
I think the reason a lot of car reviewers complained about it is that they never review a car long enough to get used to it, plus a lot of them (present company excepted) feel they have to make more or less macho noises.
From my own experience of hybrids, EVs and CVTs, although the EVs have the greatest initial acceleration, once you get going there isn't much difference in smoothness of power delivery. The fake gears of US CVTs make them part of the automotive past rather than the future. But until batteries get a lot lighter and cheaper, hybrids and CVTs are likely to dominate the smaller end of the market. It's going to be a while before there will be a BEV with a mass under about 1.3 tonnes, a range of 300 miles and the ability to carry 4 adults and luggage, but a CVT can currently manage that easily at two thirds the price of, say, an E-NIRO. The previous Soul was on my "carting stuff around car" list but didn't make it due to weight, engine and transmission. This one might be on the list next time.
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I was alluding to the people that seem to need slight jerks of fake gear changing to be happy with a transmission.
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Please. People ride motorcycles all the time.
The issue is that most people don't have a sense for g-forces in the least, and we're not particularly good at judging rate of acceleration visually, either. So we tend to go by sound, and we've learned that the rate in which you go through the gears = acceleration. A CVT just jumps into the power band and stays there when you floor it. Since almost no car has whiplash acceleration it feels like it's not doing anything.
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punksmurph
Wise, Aged Ars Veteran
How was driving through the freak snow storm that week? Did the Soul handle the changing conditions from SD to Julian well?
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