Kia Soul fans, get ready for the 2017 model rolling out this year. There are stylish changes to the exterior, and the cabin has the upgraded tech features you want. Most exciting of all is the new turbocharged engine that’s now available for the Exclaim model. Driving just became more fun than ever.
Exterior Style Changes
The 2017 Kia Soul has the same handsome silhouette as its predecessor, and it’s still available in three trims: Base, Plus, and Exclaim. Most of the style changes are for the Exclaim. The front and rear bumper inserts, previously body-colored, now come standard as gloss black with red accents. There are also red accents on the lower body molding. Add that to the chrome twin exhaust tips, and the overall look is bolder than before.
All three trims have the usual privacy glass and multi-reflector headlights, while the Plus and Exclaim still have standard front fog lights. The color options are a bit different this year with Kia dropping Solar Yellow and adding the new Mysterious Blue color. Opt for the Designer Collection Exterior Colors package, available for the Plus only, and you can choose from three exclusive color options, such as Inferno Red with Shadow Black roof.
Interior Features
Inside, you’ll find upgraded tech features and small changes to the seats. The 4.3-inch color touch-screen audio display, once standard for the two upper trim levels, is now 5 inches for the Plus and 7 inches for the Exclaim. Drivers may upgrade to the available 8-inch screen.
As for other tech, all trims still come standard with Sirius XM Satellite Radio, steering-wheel-mounted controls, and hands-free wireless Bluetooth connectivity. The UVO eServices for the Exclaim now has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The interior style changes are most noticeable in the top-of-the-line Exclaim model. The standard leather seat trim now includes orange contrast stitching. There is also a D-shaped Sport leather steering wheel; these sporty touches reflect the changes made to the engine, which is now turbocharged and faster than ever.
New Turbocharged Engine
Kia engineers upgraded the engine for the 2017 Kia Soul, replacing the Exclaim’s 2.0-liter inline four with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline four. They’ve also swapped the six-speed automatic with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This ramps up the horsepower to 201, which is 37 horses more than the 2016 model. As for torque, you’ll get 195 pound-feet instead of 154 pound-feet.
Just how fast can you go with this impressive new engine? According to the reviewers’ test drive, the turbocharged Kia Soul goes from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 6.5 seconds. Even more exciting is the fuel efficiency. Rather than dropping, the newest Exclaim gives 26 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. That’s slightly more than the 2016 model, which puts out 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
The Kia Soul is popular for a reason. It’s comfortable, fun to drive, and practical. Head over to a dealership to see the coolest new features for yourself.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.