The 2017 Kia Soul is a popular hatchback known for its unique styling, spacious interior, and affordable price. It's a great option for urban drivers and anyone looking for a versatile and fuel-efficient vehicle. In our detailed review, we'll cover everything you need to know about the 2017 Kia Soul, including its performance, features, and reliability.

Is the 2017 Kia Soul a Good Car?

Yes, the 2017 Kia Soul is a good car for several reasons. It offers a lot of value for the money, with a starting price that's lower than many of its competitors. It also has a spacious and well-designed interior, a comfortable ride, and a good list of standard features. However, it's important to consider its drawbacks, such as its less-than-stellar fuel economy in higher trims and the lack of available all-wheel drive. — Belgrade, MT Weather Forecast: Updated Conditions

2017 Kia Soul: A Comprehensive Review

The 2017 Kia Soul stands out in the compact car segment with its boxy design and vibrant color options. But it's more than just a stylish car; it's a practical and versatile vehicle that offers a comfortable ride and a surprising amount of cargo space. This review will provide an in-depth look at the 2017 Kia Soul, helping you decide if it's the right car for you.

Performance and Fuel Economy

The 2017 Kia Soul offers three engine options:

• 1.6-liter four-cylinder (Base): 130 horsepower, 118 lb-ft of torque
• 2.0-liter four-cylinder (Plus): 161 horsepower, 150 lb-ft of torque
• 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (Exclaim): 201 horsepower, 195 lb-ft of torque

The base engine is adequate for city driving, but the 2.0-liter engine provides more power for highway driving. The turbocharged engine in the Exclaim trim offers the most performance, making the Soul surprisingly fun to drive.

Fuel economy varies depending on the engine:

• 1.6-liter: 24 mpg city / 30 mpg highway
• 2.0-liter: 25 mpg city / 30 mpg highway
• 1.6-liter turbo: 26 mpg city / 31 mpg highway

While the fuel economy is decent, it's not class-leading. Some competitors offer better mileage, especially in their hybrid models.

Driving Experience

In our testing, the 2017 Kia Soul provides a comfortable and composed ride. The suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and road imperfections. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. However, the Soul is not a sporty car, and its handling is not as sharp as some of its competitors.

Interior and Features

The interior of the 2017 Kia Soul is well-designed and surprisingly spacious. The upright seating position provides good visibility, and the boxy shape allows for plenty of headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The Soul also offers a generous amount of cargo space, with 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 61.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Standard Features:

The base 2017 Kia Soul comes with a decent list of standard features, including:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Air conditioning
• Full power accessories
• Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Six-speaker audio system
• USB port

Available Features:

Higher trims offer a wide range of available features, such as:

• Automatic climate control
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Navigation system
• Panoramic sunroof
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane departure warning
• Forward collision warning

The infotainment system is user-friendly and features a responsive touchscreen display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, allowing seamless smartphone integration.

Interior Design and Quality

The interior design is modern and stylish, with interesting textures and materials. While some of the materials are hard plastic, they don't feel cheap. The overall build quality is solid, and the cabin is relatively quiet at highway speeds.

Reliability and Safety

The 2017 Kia Soul has a good reliability record. J.D. Power gave it a score of 4 out of 5 for predicted reliability, which is above average. Kia also offers a generous 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, providing added peace of mind.

Safety Ratings

The 2017 Kia Soul performs well in safety tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it an overall safety rating of 5 stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick. These ratings suggest the Soul is a safe vehicle for you and your passengers.

Key Safety Features:

• Anti-lock brakes
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Front-seat side airbags
• Full-length side curtain airbags
• Optional blind-spot monitoring
• Optional rear cross-traffic alert
• Optional forward collision warning

Trims and Pricing

The 2017 Kia Soul is available in three trim levels:

• Base: Starting around $16,000
• Plus (+): Starting around $20,000
• Exclaim (!): Starting around $23,000

The base trim offers good value for the money, but the Plus trim adds more features and the more powerful 2.0-liter engine. The Exclaim trim is the most expensive but includes the turbocharged engine and a host of premium features. These prices position the Soul as an affordable option in the compact car category.

Which Trim is Right for You?

• Base: Best for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize affordability and fuel efficiency.
• Plus: Offers a good balance of features and performance for a reasonable price.
• Exclaim: Ideal for those who want the most power and features, including a sporty driving experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Spacious interior
• Unique styling
• Affordable price
• Good reliability
• Long warranty

Cons:

• Fuel economy not class-leading
• No all-wheel drive option
• Base engine can feel underpowered

FAQ Section

What is the gas mileage for a 2017 Kia Soul?

The gas mileage varies depending on the engine. The 1.6-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city / 30 mpg highway, the 2.0-liter engine gets 25 mpg city / 30 mpg highway, and the 1.6-liter turbo gets 26 mpg city / 31 mpg highway.

Is the 2017 Kia Soul a reliable car?

Yes, the 2017 Kia Soul has a good reliability record. J.D. Power gave it a score of 4 out of 5 for predicted reliability, which is above average.

Does the 2017 Kia Soul have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on higher trims of the 2017 Kia Soul.

How much cargo space does the 2017 Kia Soul have?

The 2017 Kia Soul has 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 61.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. — Ja Morant Dominates Wemby: Epic Dunk!

What are the safety ratings for the 2017 Kia Soul?

The 2017 Kia Soul received an overall safety rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

What are some common problems with the 2017 Kia Soul?

Some owners have reported issues with the engine, transmission, and electrical systems. However, these issues are not widespread, and the Soul has a generally good reliability record.

Is the 2017 Kia Soul good in the snow?

The 2017 Kia Soul is adequate in the snow with proper tires. However, it does not offer all-wheel drive, which limits its performance in snowy conditions.

Conclusion

The 2017 Kia Soul is a stylish and practical hatchback that offers a lot of value for the money. It's a good choice for urban drivers and anyone looking for a versatile and affordable vehicle. While it may not be the sportiest or most fuel-efficient car in its class, it offers a comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and a long list of features.

If you're in the market for a compact car, the 2017 Kia Soul is definitely worth considering. Check out local listings and schedule a test drive to see if it's the right car for you. — Oklahoma State Football: Your Ultimate Guide