Model years 2018 and 2019 were built towards the end of the Kia Soul’s second generation, after five or six years in production. The third generation hit the market for model year 2020, but buying a used car from towards the end of an earlier generation is often a safe bet, as many bugs and problems from earlier units have been worked out.
The Soul has been a strong success for Kia, which has sold well over a million units since this car first hit showrooms in 2008. Launching the next generation of a beloved vehicle requires great care—you don’t want to alienate the buyers drawn to the Soul’s signature mix of fun, efficiency and practicality, bundled together in a wrapper that screams, “Let’s play!”
The Soul has always had distinctive styling, but the third generation moves away from the folksy, cartoonish design cues toward a look that’s decidedly sharper and more modern.
The interior plastics seem well chosen, and the build quality is above average for the dollar. Test-driving shoppers can expect to find loads of goodies, especially on top trim grades. A key highlight of the interior? Ambient mood lighting that’s connected to your music. Drivers can select the hues and brightness of the array of concealed LED lights on board, bathing the cabin with colour after dark and even reacting to your playlists.
If you’re opting for a third-generation Soul (2020 model year or newer), you won’t easily mistake it for anything else on the road—that’s a good thing.
In 2021, the Kia Soul was called the Best Subcompact SUV for the Money for the fifth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a “Best Buy” in the subcompact crossover category by Consumer Guide.
The tall and boxy shape of the Soul is a styling statement that does double duty to create generous headroom and maximized cargo capacity. It’s not a big machine, but it feels like one on board. The tall and upright driving position gives drivers the secure and in-command feel of a larger SUV, without the fuel bill.
The Kia Soul engine: What’s really inside this used car?
Efficient four-cylinder engines are found between the Soul’s front wheels, including high-performing turbocharged options. An electric version is available, too. Though you won’t find any models equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), the Soul delivers strongly on what most Canadian shoppers want: a roomy and flexible vehicle that’s easy on fuel and ready for any adventure. Pet owners take note: the low cargo floor height makes canine jump-in a cinch.
In 2017, a new 1.6-litre turbo engine joined the lineup, with 201 horsepower. Though most used models will have an automatic or dual-clutch transmission, be sure to search for a used Kia Soul with manual gearbox if you like to row your own gears. Manual five- or six-speed transmissions were available, commonly on more basic units.
Justin Pritchard
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