Automotive
For the 2023 model year, Kia unveiled an updated Soul lineup at the start of 2022, featuring an expanded range of trim levels and enhanced safety technology.
The Soul’s debut in 2008 was a remarkable surprise in the automotive market, with its unique design coming from Kia during the global financial crisis. Despite the challenging circumstances, the Soul managed to reach its third generation by 2019, offering both electric and hybrid powertrain options. Three years after its introduction, Kia decided to refresh the model.
The most notable visual changes were concentrated at the front of the vehicle. The revised design featured narrow headlights connected by a slim line, complemented by a wide lower grille on the bumper, giving the car a distinctive appearance reminiscent of Star Troopers. The profile retained its characteristic two-box shape, enhanced with a black area on the C-pillar creating the illusion of a floating roof. LED lighting was standard across all models, including both headlights and taillights.
Kia provided customers with a choice of five trim levels, ranging from the LX to the top-of-the-line GT-Line Tech. All versions except the base LX came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen mounted on the center stack. Safety enhancements included the addition of Blind Spot Collision Avoidance (BCA) and Rear Cross Collision Avoidance (RCCA) systems, even on the entry-level trim.
The most surprising change was under the hood, where Kia simplified the engine lineup by retaining only a single powertrain option. The updated Soul was equipped exclusively with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and driving the front wheels.
