cars part review: 2013 Kia Soul brings hipster styling and a fun-to-drive Hatchback

2013 Kia Soul stands out among affordable small cars for its long warranty, ample passenger space and impressive standard features list. Despite this, some test drivers wish the 2013 kia Soul was more fun to drive. and the only ones that not necessary is Limited cargo room versus a few competitors, stiff ride with 18-inch wheels.

For 2013 Kia Soul sees just a handful of minor changes, which include newly standard Bluetooth connectivity for the manual-transmission base model, power-folding outside mirrors for the trim level and revised Kia badges for all.

The 2013 Kia Soul offers 1.6- and 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engines. Test drivers like both, but many favor the 2.0-liter engine because it’s the more powerful of the two. The Soul has a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional six-speed automatic transmission, but auto critics say that neither makes the Soul very fun to drive. The automatic transmission is smooth most of the time, but test drivers find it struggles when the engine needs more power for passing and climbing hills. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 25/30 mpg city/highway on the base model, which are low ratings for the class. Though the Soul’s steering isn’t as engaging as its rivals’, test drivers say it is accurate and like that the Soul is very easy to park. They add that the Soul’s brakes are strong.

Since it’s inexpensive hatchback, the 2013 Kia Soul does have its fair share of cheap plastics, but reviewers are impressed that the Soul has so many standard features for its price. Standard amenities include USB and auxiliary ports, Bluetooth and steering-wheel mounted controls, which are optional on many small cars. In particular, reviewers like that the Soul’s interior controls are easy to use with or without the optional infotainment system. Test drivers also praise the Soul for its spacious front and rear seats, which are comfortable for adults. Generally, hatchbacks offer a lot of cargo space, and while some reviewers think the Soul’s cargo space is good for the class, one says competitors have more.

“Like the Scion xB and Nissan Cube, Kia’s funky urban box combines quirky, hip styling with practical passenger and cargo space. Soul is a bit more stable and relaxed in highway driving compared to some subcompacts, but its fun-to-drive character might shine through best in urban driving.” – Consumer Guide

“The 2013 Kia Soul might be inexpensive, but this certainly doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Even for the entry-level model, you get solid build quality, a peppy direct-injected engine and an audio system that boasts satellite radio and an iPod hookup.” – Edmunds

“Overall: Fun, roomy, useful, but squirrely on rough roads.” – USA Today (2012)

“Kia’s entry remains our choice in the boxy little hatchback segment, facing off as it does against the Nissan Cube and Scion xB.” – Car and Driver (2012)

2013 Kia Soul Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2013 Kia Soul is a four-door hatchback available in three punctuation-inspired trim levels: base, + and !.

The base model’s standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, cloth upholstery, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a trip computer, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a four-speaker sound system with CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface. When equipped with the optional automatic transmission, the base Soul gains keyless entry, rear privacy glass, cruise control and a height-adjustable driver seat.

The 2013 Kia Soul+ includes all the above along with 16-inch alloy wheels (optional on base), heated mirrors, dash-top and center console storage bins, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, some faux metallic interior accents and two additional speakers. The available Audio Upgrade package adds automatic headlights, a rearview camera, the Uvo hands-free media player interface and an eight-speaker Infinity sound system with HD radio and tricolor speaker lights. The optional Eco package adds fuel-saving features like an automatic stop/start system, an upgraded battery and low-rolling-resistance tires. Also available is a sunroof bundled with foglamps.

The top-of-the-line 2013 Kia Soul adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, power-folding outside mirrors, upgraded headlights, foglamps, LED daytime running lights, houndstooth pattern two-tone upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and the Audio Upgrade package. Optional on the ! is a Premium package, which adds keyless ignition/entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climatic control and a navigation system with real-time traffic and a touchscreen interface.

2013 Kia Soul Powertrains and Performance

The front-wheel-drive 2013 Kia Soul is offered with two different engines. The base Soul gets a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard (including a hill-start assist function) and a six-speed automatic is optional. EPA mileage estimates stand at 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined regardless of transmission choice.

Soul+ and ! models get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out a healthy 164 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices are the same as the base model, but the Soul! is automatic only. In Edmunds performance testing, a Soul! went from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds — a strong time for this class. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 23/28/25 with the automatic and 24/29/26 with the manual (or if equipped with the Eco package). All of the Soul’s fuel economy estimates are better than other funky hatchbacks like the Nissan Cube and Scion xB, but fall a bit short of more conventional small hatchbacks.

2013 Kia Soul Safety

Standard safety equipment for all 2013 Kia Soul models includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Hill-start assist is also now standard across the lineup.

In government crash tests, the 2013 Kia Soul earned an overall score of four stars (out of five), with four stars for overall frontal impact protection and five stars for overall side impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Soul its highest score of “Good” in its frontal offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests.

In Edmunds brake testing, 2013 Kia Soul came to a stop from 60 mph in 120 feet, which is a slightly shorter than average distance for this segment.

2013 Kia Soul Interior Design and Special Features

Just because the 2013 Kia Soul is long on style doesn’t mean it’s short on practicality. With its modern look and pronounced center stack, the passenger cabin offers a nice balance between form and function. Quality materials and a useful amount of acoustic insulation help make the interior seem refined and relatively quiet, while details like the available two-tone houndstooth upholstery give the Soul more flair than similarly priced competitors.

Gauges and controls are logically located and intuitive to use, even when you take into account high-tech options like the voice-controlled Uvo infotainment system that allows you to control your cell phone, iPod and more with voice commands. The optional Infinity audio system’s illuminated trim rings for the speakers flash to the beat of the music, and it’s kind of fun.

One of the benefits of the Soul’s boxy design is abundant head- and legroom, even in the backseat. Behind the rear seatbacks is 19 cubic feet of cargo room, which grows to 53 cubic feet with both sections of the 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded down. This is on par with many competitors, but those who need maximum schlepping capacity should consider the Scion xB’s cavernous 70-cubic-foot cargo hold.

2013 Kia Soul Driving Impressions

With plenty of power on tap, the 2013 Kia Soul is enjoyable around town and confident when merging onto a freeway. However, while there’s ample power with the 1.6-liter engine, we still think most buyers will be happier with the gutsy 164-hp 2.0-liter, especially since the difference in fuel economy is so small. Both the six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are well-matched to either engine.

In terms of handling, the 2013 Kia Soul doesn’t offer the sort of zippy agility found in the Chevy Sonic or Ford Fiesta, but the Kia isn’t a soft snooze-mobile like the Nissan Cube either. The steering has a reassuring weightiness to its effort level at highway speeds, while the response proves crisp and linear on a twisting road. The brake pedal has a reassuringly firm feel. The ride is a bit firm over bumps and ruts, especially on models fitted with the handsome 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels. see our full photo gallery of 2013 Kia Soul you might download picture you want.