2020 Remake of Iconic Kia Soul to Be Revealed at L.A. Auto Show
Kia has announced that the 2020 model-year redesign of its iconic Soul boxy hatchback will debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show in late November, and a teaser photo released today — as well as spy shots that have surfaced — indicate that neither we nor the Soul hamsters are in for a shock. The teaser indicates that the update, which was a little overdue, retains the Soul’s distinctive look and shape, with big vertical taillights gracing a practical, squared-off tail.
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Shop the 2019 Kia Soul near you
Even better, the remake appears to remain true to its humble roots as a practical city car without SUV pretensions. As the Bible says, what profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?
Not that the Soul won’t be just a little trendier. Black trim divides the revised rear pillar to spawn the currently fashionable “floating roof” look. I hope a contrast roof color will be optional for that, as it would add some visual fun in the mode of the Soul’s rivals in the tall city-car space, the new Nissan Kicks and Toyota C-HR. Cute, small, inexpensive and fun are the essential appeals of these cars. So is a lack of an all-wheel-drive version, which keeps them away from bigger, heavier and pricier true SUVs, while offering similar practicality.
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Kia says the 2020 Soul, on sale in 2019, will also continue to offer multiple powertrains, including a turbocharged option, but despite moving to a newer platform there was no mention of adding all-wheel drive. There also will be an all-electric version, at least if you happen to live in one of the “select markets” where the electric Soul will have “limited availability.” But if electrification is your thing, Kia’s dedicated Niro offers similar practicality in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and (in select markets soon) EV flavors.
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