2012 Kia Soul at 2011 New York Auto Show
- Competes with: Nissan Cube, Scion xB
- Looks like: The same outside with fuel-efficient engines inside
- Drivetrain: 135-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission; 160-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or automatic transmission
- Hits dealerships: Fall 2011
The Kia Soul went on sale at roughly the same time as Nissan’s Cube and the redesigned Scion xB. The Soul quickly became car shoppers’ favorite, outselling the other two handily thanks to a sharp design and lots of value. For the 2012 model year, the Soul’s look gets moderately modified, but it also receives a more efficient pair of powertrains.
More 2011 New York Auto Show Coverage
LED is the word for the most notable design changes. LED taillights are standard on all trim levels, while LED daytime running lights are standard on the top Soul! trim level. There’s also a new hood and front and rear bumpers, but the overall design is virtually the same as before. Why mess with a winning formula?
In a world of $4 a gallon gas, the improvements to fuel efficiency are the most needed. The outgoing base Soul’s 1.6-liter engine gets 26/31 mpg city/highway with a four-speed automatic. The new six-speed manual returns 28/34 mpg while horsepower is now rated at 135 hp. The more powerful 2.0-liter engine is standard on the rest of the lineup and gets 160 hp while returning 28/34 mpg with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. That’s improved from 24/30 mpg for the four-speed automatic in the outgoing model.
The base model is still well-equipped with air conditioning, power windows, satellite radio and a USB port. A top trim Soul! comes with a sunroof, remote entry, Bluetooth connectivity and 18-inch wheels. There’s also a Soul sport trim that features upgraded entertainment systems including a voice-activated multimedia system and Infinity stereo.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but we expect prices to remain close to the 2011’s base price of $13,300 with the 2.0-liter trims starting at $15,495.
