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Introduction

“ But he’s got a great personality!” When it comes to arranged dates, this is the default description for someone who might be lacking in the appearances department.

The Kia Soul, a compact multi-purpose car type thing that’s not quite a subcompact crossover due to the fact that of its lack of all-wheel drive, and not quite a hatchback due to the fact that of its towering height, is not just an automobile with character brimming from every crevice, however likewise has looks covering the range from charming to awful, depending on whom you ask. And just last year, Kia provided the Soul even more wit by slapping a turbocharger on the engine to make it even more personalized.

What Owners Say

2018 Kia Soul front quarter left photoThat last modification, offered entirely in the top trim level, resolved a significant complaint with this spunky little car. For this review, J.D. Power assessed a 2018 Kia Soul Exclaim equipped with optional floor mats. The rate came to $23,820, consisting of the $895 destination charge.

Prior to we go over the results of our examination of the Kia Soul, it is useful to comprehend who purchases this car, and what they like most and least about their Souls.

More females than guys own Kia Souls, with 52% of Soul owners recognizing as female. Compared to the Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle section, 46% of owners are females.

Soul owners are about the very same age as compact MPV owners (60 years vs. 61 years for the sector), but they delight in substantially lower typical annual home income at $59,286 (vs. $78,682). This drastic distinction might be explained by the automobiles in the competitive set, that include the Ford C-Max and Toyota Prius v, devoted hybrids that may interest more affluent buyers.

Approximately the very same variety of Soul owners and compact MPV owners determine as Price Buyers, seeming to verify that lower mean annual household earnings amongst Kia buyers is not, within the sector, dictating their choice in an automobile. Moreover, compact MPV owners are more worried about fuel economy and ecologically friendly vehicles than Soul owners are, reflecting the presence of devoted hybrid models in the competitive set.

In other respects, Soul owners and compact MPV owners are lined up with 2 exceptions. Soul owners are more likely to concur that they like an automobile that sticks out from the crowd (72% vs. 60%) which they like an automobile that provides responsive handling and powerful velocity (82% vs. 76%).

Owners report that their favorite features of the Soul are (in descending order) the exterior styling, interior decoration, driving dynamics, seats, and storage and space. Owners suggest that their least favorite things about the Soul are (in coming down order) visibility and security, the infotainment system, the climate system, the engine/transmission, and fuel economy.

What Our Expert Says

In the sections that follow, our professional offers her own perceptions about how the Kia Soul measures up in each of the 10 categories that consist of the 2017 APEAL Study.

Exterior

The Soul is a vehicle of cartoonish percentages, all designed to set it apart from its rivals. It’s boxy from the beltline up and a little lumpy down, with the wheel arches and the front headlamps adding blobby elements to an otherwise squared-off vehicle. The front grille (which isn’t one, actually) looks too little and the lower air intake looks too big.

Kia jazzes up the Soul Exclaim’s already extroverted exterior with red accent lines to represent the engine’s additional boost and larger 18-inch wheels to provide it a more assertive stance. The Soul is among those automobiles that you either like or dislike, but even haters might grow fond of it after driving it for a while.

Interior

Consider the base Soul. It has a tiny starting rate of $16,995 (with $895 destination), however it comes with a much nicer interior than you ’d believe a cars and truck of that cost might include. The quality level quickly makes sense in my more costly test lorry, or even a car priced closer to $30,000.

When compared to compact crossovers like the Chevrolet Trax or the Toyota C-HR, which have plenty of low-cost products, the Soul’s interior quality sticks out a lot more. The cabin is consisted of appealing soft-touch materials and sturdy, nicely ended up plastics, and collectively they provide the automobile a surprising amount of improvement.

The Exclaim’s exclusive cloth seats with leather boosts and red contrast stitching are likewise magnificent trendy.

Seats

For drivers, the Kia Soul is rather comfortable, and I constantly appreciate it when small, economical cars consist of a center console armrest, like many versions of the Soul do. Seriously, who does not need an armrest? Nobody keeps his/her hands on the wheel at all times.

For travelers, convenience is great except that the front right chair is installed too low and is not equipped with a seat height change unless you select the plan that includes power change. Without this upgrade, the traveler is dealt with to the equivalent of a dunce chair for a small time out. This, paired with an absence of thigh assistance, suggests pain.

Rear-seat passengers fare better, because the seat is installed greater. Foot space is numerous, but difficult plastic front seatback panels might prove uncomfortable for taller individuals. Shoulder area is great for two, however 3 will discover it tight.

Climate Control System

The climate control system is relatively fundamental, but in the Exclaim cut it is a single-zone automated system. A single knob adjusts temperature level, and since the cars and truck does not have a temperature level display you just make it hotter or chillier than you are when you call in adjustment.

Remarkably, however, the Soul has a Clean Air ionizer, which supposedly cleans up the cabin’s air and keeps the interior smelling nice. It’s simply difficult to inform if it’s dealing with my grade-school-age children in the vehicle.

Infotainment System

I was a little bummed to see that my test vehicle did not consist of the Technology Package, which includes speaker that pulse with light to the thumping beat of what’s playing on the audio system. They’re extremely entertaining, and along with all the other goodies that it includes, like a navigation system and heating for the seats and steering wheel, the Technology Package is a bargain.

Though, the Soul Exclaim’s standard infotainment system consists of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smart device forecast, so it was simple to get directions to locations.

In addition to smart device projection, Kia gives Soul owners complimentary access to UVO eServices telematics functions throughout of ownership. This includes services such as automated crash notice; speed, curfew and geographical border alerts for teenaged motorists; an app that keeps an eye on where you last parked the Soul; and a lot more.

Storage and Space

The Soul’s rectangle-shaped shape lends itself to carrying a lot more than you would think for such a small automobile, and storage is among things that Soul owners like about their Kias. This is not surprising, because in the cabin, storage area is plentiful. There is a huge glove box, thoughtful little bins and trays around the transmission shifter, and huge door panel bins to make organizing your things simpler.

That measurement consists of a covered, separated tray under the cargo flooring that arranges your things. Take that out and eliminate the freight flooring, and this little cars and truck materials access to 24.2 cu.-ft.

Without rear guests, you can fold the seats to develop 49.5 cu.-ft. of stowage, with a maximum of 61.3 cu.-ft. opening with the rear storage tray eliminated. These numbers extend beyond subcompact crossover SUV territory and into the realm of bigger compacts, however just if you take the trouble of getting rid of the useful tray.

Exposure and Safety

Chauffeurs enjoy outstanding forward exposure, however the view to the rear quarters is pretty abysmal due to the shape of the car and the width of the rearmost roof pillars. Luckily, big side mirrors and a basic reversing cam do their best to reduce this issue.

While Kia makes a blind area warning system with rear cross-traffic alert offered in both of the Soul’s greater trim levels, the turbocharged Exclaim can’t be equipped with functions like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, or lane departure warning. That’s a disappointment.

The Soul does a good job of securing occupants in a collision. The NHTSA awards the Soul a 5-star total ranking for crashworthiness, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides it “Good” scores all around.

Engine/Transmission

Soul owners point out the powertrain as one of their least preferred elements of the automobile. Ideally, they’ll give the turbocharged Soul Exclaim a try, as it alters the character of the automobile, and for the much better.

With 201 horses on tap from the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Soul Exclaim is not precisely a rocket, but it’s much livelier than it used to be. Lover publications declare it will speed up from absolutely no to 60 miles per hour in about 7.6 seconds, which is sufficient to instill your commute with some additional zip. Power delivery is fairly direct, although there is some turbo lag straight off the line.

Charged with sending out the power to the front wheels, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts properly but gracelessly. A little more smoothness and refinement would be good, as would a manual transmission that, undoubtedly, almost no one would choose. Missing is any kind of all-wheel-drive system, which would protect the Soul’s membership in the popular crossover SUV sector.

Fuel Economy

The EPA approximates that you need to get 28 mpg in combined driving (26 city/31 highway mpg) with a Soul Exclaim. My testing produced a return of 25.5 mpg, which isn’t outstanding. Nevertheless, the turbocharged Soul, in spite of making far more power than the naturally aspirated variations of the cars and truck, is really a little more fuel effective than the engines that enter into the base Soul and the Soul Plus trim.

Driving Dynamics

To assist maximize driving satisfaction, Kia slightly adjusts the Exclaim’s suspension tuning, sets up bigger front brakes, and includes larger tires and wheels.

While the Soul still chosen knocking about in the city, with its small footprint, nimble handling, and capability to absorb the ruts and bumps of neglected public roads, it nevertheless held its own on twisty back roadways threading through local mountain ranges. The steering had a reasonable quantity of heft to it, especially in Sport mode, but I wished for a little bit more feel, feedback and accuracy to make the cars and truck more satisfying to drive. The brakes successfully withstood fade throughout aggressive driving, too, and handled everyday driving jobs without bringing the automobile or grabbing to a scrambling stop.

No, the Kia Soul Exclaim will not be competing in autocross rallies with the Volkswagen GTI or Mazda 3 anytime quickly. But its happy-go-lucky character and newfound potency makes it a lot more enjoyable to drive than the tiny crossover automobiles against which it will most likely be cross-shopped.

Final Impressions

By now, everybody should recognize with Kia’s generous warranty that covers the whole lorry for 5 years or 60,000 miles, while the powertrain is safeguarded for 10 years or 100,000 miles, along with complimentary roadside assistance for five years without any mileage limitation. That interest the sensible side of your brain, along with the quality awards that both this cars and truck and Kia have received from J.D. Power in recent years.

What’s more, the Kia Soul has a personality. Yes, it’s a little peculiar. Funky. Non-traditional. It attract the weirdo in each people, but at the same time provides more than its reasonable share of utility, enjoyable, convenience, and flexibility. And now, with its offered turbocharged engine, it is more attractive than ever in the past.

There are a lot of individuals who drive the exact same thing everyone else does. With a Kia Soul parked in your driveway, you can proudly be among the others.

2018 Kia Soul front quarter left photoThat last modification, provided entirely in the top trim level, dealt with a major complaint with this spunky little cars and truck. For this evaluation, J.D. Power assessed a 2018 Kia Soul Exclaim equipped with optional flooring mats. For drivers, the Kia Soul is quite comfortable, and I constantly value it when small, low-cost vehicles include a center console armrest, like most versions of the Soul do. The Soul’s rectangle-shaped shape lends itself to carrying a lot more than you would think for such a little lorry, and storage is one of things that Soul owners like about their Kias. The turbocharged Soul, despite making much more power than the naturally aspirated versions of the automobile, is in fact a little bit more fuel effective than the engines that go into the base Soul and the Soul Plus cut.

Introduction

Aside from a little rear seats and a “Marginal” total crash-test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the first-generation Chevrolet Cruze and Cruze Limited designs were fairly good little cars. Developed all around the world and used in hatchback, sedan, and station wagon body styles, the U.S. market received only the 4-door sedan version of the car.

Now, for 2016, a brand-new Cruze debuts and, for the very first time, Chevrolet plans to offer it to U.S. consumers as a 5-door hatchback in 2017. Highlights of the new Cruze include a larger interior, lighter curb weight, more efficient drivetrain, and new infotainment and driver-assistance innovations.

What Owners Say

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS front quarter photoFor this review, our expert evaluated a high-grade Chevrolet Cruze Premier with every option bundle. The rate pertained to $28,640, consisting of the $875 destination charge.Before we go over the results of our evaluation of the brand-new Chevrolet Cruze, it is practical to understand who bought the previous version of this compact vehicle and what they liked most and least about it.

According to J.D. Power research study data, Cruze purchasers earn less money, compared with the Compact Car section average. Average household income for brand-new Cruze buyers is $58,226, compared to $72,719 for the sector. Cruze purchasers likewise tend to be a little older (51 years vs. 49) and 48% are ladies compared to 44% for the sector.

Overwhelmingly, Cruze buyers prefer to purchase an automobile from a U.S. business (87% vs. 40% sector average). They also say that they are less most likely to pay more for an automobile that is eco-friendly (52% vs. 59%), and their good friends and family think about them as someone who understands a lot about automobiles at a greater rate (59% vs. 54%).

In the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, SM the Cruze ranked 14th amongst 19 entries in the Compact Car segment. Five of the top 10 chances determined for improvement associated to the engine– the most substantial being transmission smoothness when moving. Fuel economy was likewise an aching area amongst purchasers, in addition to rear-seat space and the usefulness of center console storage.

Buyers suggest that their preferred things about the Cruze are (in descending order) outside styling, driving dynamics, interior decoration, visibility and safety, and the infotainment system. Owners indicate that their least favorite features of the Cruze are (in coming down order) storage and area, environment control system, engine/transmission, fuel economy, and seats.

What Our Expert Says

In the sections that follow, our expert provides his own evaluation of how the brand-new 2016 Cruze performs in each of the 10 classifications that comprise the 2015 U.S. APEAL Study.

Exterior

Aerodynamic and rakish, the new Cruze is aesthetically appealing, as was the model it replaced. Long front and rear overhangs offer the cars and truck’s wheelbase a stubby look, but from any other angle the automobile is attractive.

The test car had the racy-looking RS option plan, which includes modified front and rear styling, lower body trim beneath the doorsills, rear spoiler, and bigger aluminum wheels. The modifications give the vehicle an undeservedly aggressive appearance, but selecting it is the only method to get the handsome 18-in. aluminum wheels.

Interior

Inside, the new Cruze adopts Chevrolet’s dual-cockpit style style, decorated in modern-day piano black trim with chrome accents. Integrated with the next-generation MyLink infotainment technology and upgraded switchgear that often looks as though it could be shown an entry-level Cadillac, there is no doubt that the brand-new Cruze is a more modern vehicle.

Sadly, there is also no concealing the reality that lower interior panels are built of cheaply completed plastic and that the car’s headliner didn’t cost much to produce.

Seats

Compared with the previous-generation Cruze, which offered a company and encouraging seat with a tall seating position behind a guiding wheel that was comfy to grip, the all-new 2016 Cruze takes a step in reverse with regard to convenience.

The test automobile’s 8-way power driver’s seat was broad and flat, lacking a lumbar assistance change, and the seating position felt low even when the seat was raised to its greatest position. Heated front seats and a heated guiding wheel are offered, though buyers can not get aerated front seats. A sharp radius specifies the leading edge of the guiding wheel rim, making it unpleasant to grip.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS front seats photoOne of the most significant flaws with the original Chevy Cruze was its tight, confined back seat. The redesigned 2016 Cruze provides higher space and comfort, delivering lots of foot room, a tall and encouraging bottom cushion, and gently padded front seat backs that are kind to guests’ shins and knees. The Cruze still isn’t as accommodating as some compact cars and trucks, however is definitely better than the old design.

Environment Control System

Geared up with a single-zone automated climate control system, which is a part of the Enhanced Convenience option package, the Cruze effectively cooled the cabin on warm spring days in Southern California. Significantly, operation did impact the car’s automatic engine start/stop system, particularly early in a trip.

The temperature level control knob and the fan speed knob should switch places. With automatic climate control systems, temperature is more regularly changed than is fan speed, and in the Cruze the temperature knob is situated to the right, further from the motorist, than on the left, closer to the motorist.

Infotainment System

Chevrolet’s newest version of its MyLink infotainment system is extremely sophisticated, including a tablet-style, capacitive-touch display screen with contemporary graphics and featuring fast action to input.

Emphasizes include smartphone-projection technology in the type of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, OnStar subscription services, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection. To supply a more engaging worth equation, every Cruze includes a 2-year/24-month subscription to the most comprehensive OnStar services strategy, as well as a 2-year/24-gig Wi-Fi information service plan. That’s huge.

As a reward, and in recognition of clear patterns connected to media usage, Chevrolet uses optional tablet computer holders for rear-seat entertainment functions.

Storage and Space

Chevrolet provides robust bins within each of the Cruze’s door panels. They are wide and deep and accommodate a variety of items. In addition, the glove box is of a good size, assisting to balance out the rather small center console storage bin. Little, unlined trays round out the Cruze’s storage capability, including one located forward of the shifter near the USB port.

The cube-shaped trunk is easy to load, but for the Cruze LT and Premier trim levels, it diminishes from 14.8 cu. The automobile can also accommodate several duffel bags, too.

Presence and Safety

New front quarter window glass slenders the windscreen pillars, helping to develop a better view forward, and the Cruze’s side mirrors are quite large. It can be difficult to judge distances in front, though, as the cars and truck’s nose is both unnoticeable to the driver and quite brief. After parking at a local dining establishment, my pre-schooler teased how far from the parking block I ’d left the vehicle.

Chevrolet’s blind-spot tracking system uses illuminated warnings on the side mirror glass, where it is simplest to spot and to recommendation. The reversing electronic camera supplies a broad view, and the rear cross-traffic alert certainly can be found in helpful when steering in parking lots. Furthermore, Chevrolet supplies a lane-departure warning system with lane-keeping assist, automated high-beam headlights, and a forward-collision caution system for the Cruze.

Offered this cars and truck’s technological quality, 2 features are notably missing. You can not get an adaptive cruise control system on the Cruze. Second– and more worrying offered its track record for preventing crashes– you can not get an automatic emergency situation braking system on the Cruze.

Since Chevy presented the upgraded Cruze late in the design year, it had not been crash-tested as this review was published.

Engine/Transmission

As was real of the previous Cruze, the new model is geared up with a turbocharged, 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. This is a new power plant, though, one including direct fuel injection and automatic start/stop innovation, and capable of generating 153 horse power at 5,300 rpm and 177 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm.

Speeding up from a stop, there is an initial delay as the engine revs into the thick of the torque, and after that as revs climb toward the horsepower peak the power shipment levels off. While Chevrolet prices estimate a 0-to-60-mph velocity time of 7.7 seconds, and while that sounds right, the automobile certainly does not have the zing that can make some rivals a joy to drive.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS engine photoA 6-speed automatic transmission powers the front wheels and products manual gear-changing ability utilizing a rocker switch atop the shift knob. It performed flawlessly except when trying to make fast 3-point U-turns. Under those conditions, it tended to clunk hard into Reverse or Drive.

Fuel Economy

According to main EPA price quotes, the 2016 Cruze is rated to return 30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, and 35 mpg in combined driving.

On the main test loop, the Cruze returned 28.3 mpg, and throughout a week and more than 500 miles of driving, that included a round-trip jaunt from the northern Los Angeles suburbs to San Diego and back, the cars and truck’s journey computer system showed no much better than 29.9 mpg.

Clearly, something is not right, either with the EPA numbers or with the test car. And if you’re questioning, yes, the automatic engine start/stop system was running correctly.

Driving Dynamics

Among small vehicles, the Cruze is a peaceful one. You can hardly hear the engine, and wind noise is nearly non-existent. With the Premier RS and its bigger 18-in. wheels, road rumble is the most invasive noise.

Many people will like this about the Cruze, but in mix with the car’s leisurely saunter under velocity, certified and reasonably soft suspension tuning, and light and direct steering, this Chevy produces a forgettable driving character– unless you drive it rather hard and quickly down a mountain road, throughout which the level of brake fade can certainly stir a psychological response in a chauffeur.

The most pleasurable thing about driving a Cruze Premier RS is diving into corners. Otherwise, you may desire to hit up a Starbucks with every journey in a Cruze.

Last Impressions

Yes, in Premier trim, with the RS choice bundle, the Cruze is more agile. Is the driving experience dynamic?

Rather, the Cruze is all grown up, a more fully grown and sophisticated little automobile, one that provides dynamic design in addition to high-end touches and modern-day benefits as long as you’re prepared to spend for them. Chevrolet is likewise clever to supply totally free, long-term access to OnStar and 4G LTE Wi-Fi services, easily among the most compelling reasons to pick the Cruze.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS rear quarter photoChevrolet’s failure to provide an automated emergency situation braking system for the Cruze represents a flawed choice. Fuel-economy price quotes are, based on this test, untethered from reality, making the promise of a Cruze Diesel for the 2017 model year even more engaging.

Otherwise, if you like the way the Cruze looks, and you like the method the Cruze drives, you’ll find a lot of other aspects of this new compact automobile to be satisfying.

According to J.D. Power study information, Cruze buyers make less cash, compared with the Compact Car section average. In the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, SM the Cruze ranked 14th among 19 entries in the Compact Car segment. 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS front seats photoOne of the most significant defects with the original Chevy Cruze was its tight, confined back seat. The Cruze still isn’t as accommodating as some compact vehicles, however is definitely better than the old model.

Among little vehicles, the Cruze is a quiet one.