2017 Kia Soul !
Test Drive
Written by Marco Carvajal
Photographs by Kia
In 2017 Kia Motors presented a completely redesigned Kia Soul, coming in 3 different trim levels: the Base, the “+” and the “!”. According to Kia, we will find “a new way to roll”, the driving will be even more fun, technologically advanced, stylish, yet for a very attractive price.
Kia Soul ! definitely has a bright authentic exterior. You can spot and recognize this car everywhere, from the parking lots to the crowded highways.
2017 Kia Soul !
5 Seats
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)Transmission 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), Sportmatic®Engine 1.6 Liter, Turbocharged Inline 4Horsepower 201 HP@ 6,000 rpmFuel tank Capacity 14,2 gallonsFuel economy 28Combined EPA MPG26 City / 31 HWY |
Introduction
The Soul is a compact SUV, yes…it is small…but it has a big soul! and this big soul comes full of nice features and practicalities to make our every day transportation needs happier.
What is the SOUL? the automobile KIA Soul has its name based on the “soul”..human spirit, culture, history, emotions and more that come from our soul. It is car made by Kia with the soul and trying to get our soul to love it! For a moment the name takes away from all the mechanical and physical construction of a car, trying to reach our inner feelings. The Soul is a compact SUV, yes…it is small…but it has a big soul! and this big soul comes full of nice features and practicalities to make our every day transportation needs happier.
In 2008 The Korean car manufacturer Kia, introduced a new class of its car, which is hard to define even today. The Kia Soul.
Indeed, in the official brochures you will find a clear “crossover”, yet, some costumers call Kia Soul a mini SUV, or even an outgrowth hatchback. Despite of many questions, the experiment was successful and Kia Soul took its niche among others.
Let’s follow the 2017 Kia’s motto, and “Discover the new Kia”… The 2017 Kia Soul !
Kia Motors History
Founded in 1944, today Kia Motors is the second-largest automobile manufacturer, also being a subsidiary of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.
Started with a manufacturing of the first Korean domestic bicycles, today Kia Motors is selling its cars to more than 170 countries, and providing a work for about 40 000 employees worldwide.
Being strongly committed to the U.S. market and having more than 750 dealers on its territory, in 2009 Kia Motors has open its manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, investing over $1,1 billion.
Kia Motors is also known for its sponsorship for such well-known associations as: FIFA, UEFA, NBA.
Engine & Performance
2017 Kia Soul !
Type: 1.6 Liter, Turbocharged Inline 4
Configuration: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Displacement, cc: 1,591
Engine management system: Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)
Gearbox: Sportmatic®
Pricing
| Model | MSRP Price |
| 2017 Kia Soul ! | $27,620 |
The price is in a nice range lower than 30,000, what makes it a nice compact SUV affordable for many car buyers.
Exterior
The Exterior of the Soul is very original and beautiful. Very modern and very practical for big crowded cities. It will be easy to park the Soul through the crowded streets of New York or Paris.
Kia Soul ! definitely has a bright authentic exterior. You can spot and recognize this car everywhere, from the parking lots to the crowded highways. The fresh Exclaimer looks more completed than its predecessor .
In comparison to 2017 Kia Soul +, the Soul ! can’t offer the designer collection exterior colors or body colors inserts, the body colors bumpers, BUT instead it offers front and rear bumper inserts, gloss black with red accents, among with many other nice details.
Some other exterior features are:
- Front Upper Grille, Chrome & Gloss Black
- Chrome Twin Exhaust Tips
- Lower Body Molding, with Red Accents
- Heated Outside Mirrors
- Front Fog Lights
- Privacy Glass and Solar Glass
- Heated Rear Glass with Timer
- Locking Fuel-Filler Door
Interior
As usual with Kia you get tons of features. I love how Kia includes so many standard features that are optional in other cars. And if that is not enough still you have many optional features.
The whole interior of Kia Soul is round-shaped. If in the early years it was somewhat funky and unusul, now it has become a prominent and recognized feature of this car, with some resemblance to the famous Mini Cooper.
Needless to say, the style head of Kia Motors is the former BMW designer Pierre Leclercq.
I like the interior as even if is not too big it is very practical and confortable. As usual with Kia you get tons of features. I love how Kia includes so many standard features that are optional in other cars. And if that is not enough still you have many optional features.
To make the 2017 Kia Soul ! convenient and helpful for daily driving, this car has the following standard or optional features:
- AM/FM/MP3/SiriusXM® Audio System
- Rear-Camera Display
- UVO eServices with 7″ Touch-Screen Display, Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™
- 6 Speakers with Dash-Mounted Tweeters
- BLUETOOTH® Wireless Technology Hands-Free Connectivity with Steering-Wheel-Mounted Controls
- Dual Center Console USB Charging Ports
- Trip Computer
- Active Eco System
- Blind Spot Detection System (BSD)
- Day/Night Interior Rear-View Mirror
- Heated Front Seats
Safety
2017 Kia Soul !
All 2017 Kia Soul trim levels have same of the very new standard safety features, like the following:
- Dual Front Advanced Airbags
- Dual Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags
- 3-Point Seat-Belts for All Seating Positions
- Front Seat-Belt Pretensioners
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/ Antilock Braking System (ABS)
- Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
- Front and Rear Crumple Zones
The whole interior of Kia Soul is round-shaped, with some resemblance to the famous Mini Cooper. The style head of Kia Motors is the former BMW designer Pierre Leclercq
Conclusion
2017 Kia Soul ! is a car made with the soul. It has a stylish interior and a recognizing exterior. This interesting and original art-car offers all the modern technologies needed for a comcortable and entertaining daily driving. With the starting MSRP price of about $23,000, the “Exclaimer” becomes the affordable, yet functional car, with a spacious interior and good trunk space too. As you drive the Kia Soul, you will fall in love with the numerous of standard features, a good price, and a very original design to satisfy your inner soul.
