The crossover will arrive mostly unchanged. We can expect a larger portion of updates on the 2022 Kia Soul when the first revisit of the current generation was planned. The model for the upcoming season will still be attractive and fresh. The carmaker is going to introduce a couple of changes that will draw attention. Still, the highlight of the lineup is the 2021 Kia Soul EV with 243 miles of range. Of course, this is the official number with perfect maintenance and conditions. However, the Soul is one of the best performers in the electric segment.
If you are not a fan of EVs, then the vehicle is going to offer a petrol alternative. The best thing about Kia is its engine warranty. You won’t find a better offer on the market. Soul is one of the best-looking crossovers. Its boxy shape might seem boring, but there are a lot of options for upgrading. For example, buyers can pick a turbo engine and raise the performance to the new level.
Pros and Cons
Definitely, the electric drivetrain is the main reason why you should go after the 2021 Kia Soul. Still, the base petrol configurations are attractive as well. Plus, there is a great warranty included in the offer. The turbocharged engine is worth every penny if you are looking for a more powerful, but still cheap vehicle. All the prices are better than on most competitors, having in mind a level of equipment. Boxy styling is something new and fresh. It will draw attention, but also expands the interior space. Safety is average. Kia needs to improve a noise isolation system. Although small engines, the cabin is pretty loud. The 2021 Soul won’t be a vehicle which you will take off the road unless the company launches a specialist for tough terrains.
2021 Kia Soul Specs, Towing Capacity, Turbo Engine
The base choice for the 2021 Kia Soul is a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder powerplant. With 147 hp, this is one of the most capable subcompact engines in the market. Manual and automatic transmissions are available, but there is no AWD for Kia Soul. The company is not recommending the crossover for towing a trailer. Still, the hauling potential is there, and this vehicle can tow 1,200 pounds. Properly equipped, the Soul returns 35 mpg on the open road.
A 1.6-liter turbo engine is available only for the GT trims. In this case, the numbers go up, or down if you are looking at the gas mileage. The crossover bursts 200 ponies and 195 lb-ft. The start/stop system is there to improve the mpg rating. Still, the turbo engine can’t do as good as the 1.6-liter unit. Combined, Soul GT returns 29 mpg.
2021 Kia Soul EV
The unique piece of the lineup is the all-electric Kia Soul. The company revisited the motor for the facelift and brought it back with 243 miles of range. The system also develops 200 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. In the future, the Korean company is going to focus on the autonomous drive and similar features. The battery recharges in only 1 hour with the 100 kW charger, or 15 minutes more if you use a 50 kW plug. Standard levels of charging take 9 hours (Level 2) or 50 if you plug it to the home outlet. The electric drivetrain now needs 8 seconds to reach 60 mph.
2021 Kia Soul Interior, Colors
There are several choices of trim levels, each of them bringing something special for the 2021 Kia Soul interior. Some controls are mounted on the steering wheel. The company offers a few drive modes and a lot of aid features. So, we have a lane change system at the S model. The cloth is covering interior. The power outlet is installed for the GT model and X-Line comes with visors. The EX is top of the lineup model with a standard engine. Highlights of this trim are 10-way power seats, automatic climate control, and heated front seats.
The standard color palette includes seven paintjobs. You can pick between Inferno Red, Sparkling Silver, Snow White Pearl, Black, Solar Yellow, Grey, and Mars Orange. The X-Line has exclusive paint – Undercover Green. Other single-color options are Blue for GT-Line and Platinum Gold for EX. Still, Kia will offer the combination of existing paints for certain trims. Inside, the cloth is standard, while synthetic leather is available for higher trim levels.
Release Date and Price
Without big changes, the new 2021 Kia Soul will debut by the end of the year. The price stays put. The base version is available from $17,500. Well, you will look for upgrades, and the first next trim costs over $20,000. The turbocharged engine makes the GT-Line the most expensive model with a conventional drivetrain. Its MSRP is $27,500. Only the 2021 Kia Soul EV tops that with a $35,000 price tag.
Electric Crossovers and SUVs for 2020-2021 Season – Walkthrough: Range, Prices, Capabilities
