2022 Kia Soul

History/Overview

At the Kia Soul’s 2010 introduction, we would never have predicted this boxy little wagon would still be around in 2022. But here we are, three years into the Soul’s third generation, which came around in 2020.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

Changes are few for 2022. Entry-grade trims get a larger touchscreen, and all versions wear Kia’s new logo. The all-electric Kia EV is still around, but is covered in a separate buyer’s guide entry.

Available Trims

Kia Soul trim levels include LX, EX, EX+, EX Premium, and GT-Line Limited. All are powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Standard Features

Kia Soul LX models come with 17-inch steel wheels with covers, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, A/C, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, six-speaker audio, smartphone integration, and heated washer nozzles.

EX adds 16-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, heated steering wheel, cruise control, wireless charging, blind spot monitor, lane keep assist, driver attention alert, forward collision alert with automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert.

EX+ gains 17-inch wheels, LED headlights/fog lights/taillights, a sunroof, and cloth/leatherette seating.

EX Premium gets 18-inch wheels, dual-zone A/C, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, passive keyless entry, auto-dimming mirror, and ambient lighting.

Finally, GT Line Limited brings rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, ventilated/power-adjustable front seats, a better stereo, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and advanced forward collision avoidance.

Fuel Economy

Kia’s fuel consumption estimates are 8.5/7.0 L/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

The Kia Soul is something of an in-betweener, combining the front-wheel drive layout of a subcompact car with the shape of a crossover. Its closest analogs in the marketplace are the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Venue, and Toyota C-HR. You could also consider it an alternative to a compact hatchback (Honda Civic, Kia Forte5, Toyota Corolla) or front-drive versions of the many subcompact crossovers that have flooded the marketplace in the last few years.