more about this model Kia calls it a crossover, others call it a wagon or a hatchback, but whatever you call the 2017 Kia Soul, its shape ? kind of a stylized shoe box ? catches your eye as its ready-for-anything attitude piques your interest. Generally thought to be aimed squarely at the youth market, the Soul does, in fact, make a pretty good all-around family hauler for shoppers looking for a vehicle that's affordable, practical and roomy, yet strikes a different chord than the average compact hatchback or SUV.
Changes for 2017 include an updated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a larger touchscreen and additional USB ports, as well as an available power passenger seat and HID headlights. But the biggest news is the new turbocharged engine, available only on the line-topping Soul ! (Exclaim) trim level, which provides a much-appreciated boost in power.
The standard engine for the Soul is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. Next up is a 2.0-liter four that puts out 161 hp and 150 lb-ft. And then there's the new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that cranks out 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. The base engine comes linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 2.0-liter powerplant gets a six-speed automatic transmission, and the turbo drives the front wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic.
Fuel economy for the 2017 Soul with the base engine and the standard manual transmission is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined (24 city/30 highway). Opt for the new turbocharged powerplant, however, and the rating jumps a bit to 28 mpg combined (26 city/31 highway).
The five-seater Soul's boxy shape results in a surprisingly roomy interior, but is better suited to four passengers and their cargo. Folded rear seats expand the Soul's load capacity to rival that of most small SUVs. Attractively styled, the cabin features generally high-quality, soft materials; and a variety of trim levels, packages and options allow buyers to personalize the Soul to near-luxury levels.
One complaint about the Soul had been that its lackluster engine performance didn't match its zippy looks. Now, with the addition of the available turbo, that issue has been put to rest. It doesn't elevate the Soul to sport-coupe territory, but it provides plenty of highway passing power and enough punch off the line to satisfy most drivers. The ride might be a bit on the harsh side, but it's no worse than most vehicles in this class. And the recently revamped suspension system does give the Soul excellent cornering ability for a rather tall vehicle.
The Soul's Base trim level comes well equipped, with such features as alloy wheels, air-conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity. The mid-level Soul + (Plus) adds comfort and convenience features, as well as the 2.0-liter engine. The top-of-the-line Soul ! (Exclaim) adds leather-trimmed seats, piano black accents and other luxury touches, not to mention the turbocharged powerplant. Let Edmunds help you find the 2017 Kia Soul that best meets your needs.
Is the 2017 Kia Soul a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Kia Soul and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Soul featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2017 Kia Soul?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Kia Soul and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Soul 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Soul.
Vehicle
! 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
Review
This car has most of the things I wanted in a vehicle all put into one. I had been searching and test drove quite a few vehicles and walked away from each disappointed about something. That was not the case with this one. The ride is smooth and the EXCLAIM is very quick. I used to drive a smaller hatchback and got tired of having essentially fall into my car. With the soul, the seats are at waist height and I quite literally just walk into my seat. Just yesterday, I took a friend out in it who owns a truck and he mentioned this very thing. He was saying he has to climb up into his truck and loves that you can just walk into the seat. I said the same thing regarding my golf (as you just read). I also got the Tech Package and I am very pleased with the sound system. It is superb. Definitely not a miss there. The audio controls actually make sense and is very easy to navigate. I test drove some cars that were just way too complicated (looking at you Honda). We don't want complicated while we're driving. I want to push 2 buttons max to get where I want and do what I want. The fuel economy is actually lower than advertised, and that's kind of a bummer. I drive mostly (that's 90%) interstate and am lucky if I break 28 overall. The A/C unit is not what I'd call amazing. There are definitely better A/C units out there. Other than that... very comfortable. Drives great. Turns on a dime (better than my Hatchback did, but the hatchback handled like a dream... cuz it's a hatchback). I am not at all disappointed and would highly recommend it. Also, Kia's warranty kind of tells a story of a company who's not afraid to offer a high warranty because they have faith in their product. Seriously, their warranty is twice as good as anyone else's.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Kia Soul
How can Edmunds help?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Is the 2017 Kia Soul safe?
The 2017 Kia Soul earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 5.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
What options are available on the 2017 Kia Soul?
Available Kia Soul 2017 Submodel Types: Wagon
Available Trims: +, Base, !, Sport
Exterior Colors: Shadow Black, Clear White, Bright Silver, Titanium Gray, Alien II, White w/Red Roof, Inferno Red, Alien 2, Fathom Blue, Latte Brown, Wild Orange, Mysterious Blue, Alien, Shadow, Caribbean Blue, Titanium, Molten, Solar Yellow, Kale Green, Dune, Inferno Red w/Black Roof, Shadow Metallic, Moss, Cloud, Titanium Metallic, Bright Silver Metallic, Java Metallic, Alien Metallic, Clear White w/Red Roof, Denim
Interior Colors: Black cloth, Black leather, Gray Two-Tone cloth, Gray cloth, Gray Two-Tone leather, Black premium cloth, Sand/Black cloth, Sand/Black leather, Red/Black cloth
Popular Features: Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, USB Inputs, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Bluetooth, Trip Computer, Back-up camera, Auto Climate Control, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Post-collision safety system, Upgraded Stereo, Navigation, Keyless Entry/Start, Sunroof/Moonroof, Power Driver Seat, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Blind Spot Monitoring, Cooled Seats, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Lane Departure Warning, Upgraded Headlights, Remote Start, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-collision safety system
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, AUTOMATED_MANUAL, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
