Introduced in 2009, the Kia Soul for 2023 retains the same basic shape that made it a runaway hit. Vivid colors punctuate the Soul’s instantly recognizable exterior to further its image as a youthful, fun vehicle. The boxy design means plenty of headroom and cargo space, while the modern interior continues to thrill with features like pulsating LED lights in the speaker grilles.
Kia has given the Soul a new face, a few new features, and fewer trims. Keeping it simple (and somewhat dull), Kia equips all 2023 Soul trim levels with the same 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Sorry turbocharger fans, the potent 201-hp Kia Soul Turbo is no more.
Soul LX
Starts at $19,890 | See listings
- Cloth upholstery
- Power side mirrors
- Digital instrument panel
- 8-inch touchscreen
- 6-speaker audio/USB port
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- 16-inch steel wheels with covers
- Air conditioning
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Forward collision assist
- Lane-keep assist
- See more
Soul S
Starts at $22,390 | See listings
- Power driver’s seat
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Navigation
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/SiriusXM
- Wireless smartphone charger/two USB ports
- Smart Key
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Blind-spot avoidance/rear cross-traffic assist
- See more
Soul GT-Line
Starts at $23,490 | See listings
- SynTex and cloth upholstery
- GT-Line styling
- Sunroof
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Available Highway Drive Assist
- Available Harman Kardon audio
- Available nav-based smart cruise control
- See more
Soul EX
Starts at $24,190 | See listings
- Premium TriCot cloth upholstery
- Sunroof
- Heated front seats
- Power side mirrors with heat
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Dual-level cargo floor
- Cargo cover
- Power outlet in cargo area
- See more
2023 Kia Soul LX: $19,890
Although basic, the 2023 Kia Soul LX comes standard with some impressive safety systems not typically found in an entry-level car.
Newly standard this year is Kia’s suite of driver assists. The group includes forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist with lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, a driver attention monitor, automatic high-beam headlights, and Rear Occupant Alert, which reminds the driver to check the back seat before exiting the vehicle.
The LX features Kia’s Drive Mode Select, which adjusts settings for the throttle, air conditioning, steering, and transmission via Eco, Comfort, and Sport modes. The LX gets 16-inch wheels with plastic covers, auto-on/off halogen headlights, tinted rear privacy glass, a rear window defroster, power side mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, and a rear wiper/washer.
The Soul provides seating for five, covered in black or gray woven cloth. There are no power adjustments for the front seats, but the driver does get manually operated height adjustment. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat comes standard.
Comfort and convenience items include manual single-zone air conditioning, cruise control, power door locks, keyless entry, power windows with driver’s side one-touch auto-down, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity. Little features we appreciate include an overhead sunglass holder, sun visor vanity mirrors, an outside temperature display, front- and rear door bottle holders, and a trip computer.
Infotainment for the LX comes from an 8-inch touchscreen display featuring an AM/FM radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. Music flows through six speakers, and the system includes USB and auxiliary input jacks for hooking up an external source. The Soul’s touchscreen serves double duty as the rear backup camera display.
Opt for the available Technology Package, and you’ll get a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
With the $1,325 destination fee, the price for the 2023 Kia Soul LX comes to $21,215. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment should be about $400. See 2023 Kia Soul LX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Soul LX includes:
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto – Who needs fancy upgrades when you can stream music, messages, navigation, and conversations through the audio system, all via a wired connection from your smartphone.
- Automatic emergency braking – This vital feature can detect cars or people in danger of collision and warn the driver in certain low-speed situations. If the driver fails to act, the system can slow or stop the vehicle before an accident can occur.
- Automatic high-beam headlights – Automatically sense the light from oncoming traffic and dim the high beams. Conversely, in low-light situations, the high beams will automatically activate.
- Air conditioning – Helps keep everyone cool and dry on hot days and works with the front defroster to keep the glass from fogging up.
2023 Kia Soul S: $22,390
The S trim would be our pick if we were shopping for a low-cost compact. It costs about $2,000 more than the LX, but we think the features it brings make it the value leader.
Building off the LX, the S adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10.25-inch color touchscreen with built-in navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio.
The S also touts a wireless charging pad, Bluetooth wireless connectivity with voice recognition, two USB center console ports, and Kia’s Smart Key proximity key fob with push-button start. With Smart Key, you need only have the fob to unlock the car by touching the door handle.
Additional safety systems include a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and Lane-Change Assist. Activated when the turn signal is engaged, Lane Change Assist uses radar in the rear bumper to warn the driver of approaching vehicles traveling in your intended lane.
With the $1,325 destination fee, the price for the 2023 Kia Soul S comes to $23,715. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing, the monthly payment should work out to about $448. See 2023 Kia Soul S models for sale near you
2023 Kia Soul S includes:
- 10.25-inch color touchscreen – This large touchscreen features brilliant color and large icons, and its voice-activated GPS navigation is ideal when cell phone navigation can’t find a signal.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – Automatically keeps the cabin at a set temperature with individual driver and front passenger settings.
- 10-way power driver’s seat – With multiple possible positions, this seat makes it much easier to find the perfect driving position.
- Blind-spot monitor – Detects traffic approaching or driving beside the Soul and alerts the driver via an audible tone and flashing light built into the side mirrors.
2023 Kia Soul GT-Line: $23,490
The GT-Line is the sportiest trim in the Soul lineup. Although it provides no additional power under the hood, upgrades to the suspension, steering, and wheel/tire package make it more playful than its lesser siblings.
The GT-Line adds unique GT-Line front and rear bumpers, a sport suspension with RS shock absorbers, 18-inch alloy wheels, body-color side mirrors with gloss black trim and integrated turn signals, and a chrome-tipped center exhaust.
The GT-Line’s cabin gains a faux-leather cap covering the instrument cluster housing, plus faux-leather/cloth sport seats and satin chrome door handles.
Optional for the GT-Line is the GT-Line Technology Package, which includes a Harman Kardon premium audio system, heated front seats, and multicolor-LED speaker lights that pulsate with the music.
The Technology Package also brings forward-collision avoidance with Junction Turning, Highway Drive Assist, navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, an electronic parking brake, 10-way power driver’s seat, LED headlights, LED taillights, and a dual-level rear cargo floor.
With the $1,325 destination fee, the 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line comes to $24,815. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment should be about $468. See 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line models for sale near you
2023 Kia Soul GT-Line includes:
- Available Junction Turning – Added to the forward-collision system, Junction Turning warns when it is unsafe to turn across traffic and can even slow or bring the vehicle to a stop if necessary.
- Available Highway Drive Assist – Works in conjunction with the adaptive cruise control to help the Soul stay centered in its lane.
- Available navigation-based Smart Cruise Control – Kia’s adaptive cruise-control system maintains a safe distance between the Soul and traffic ahead, slowing down or speeding up. The adaptive cruise control can anticipate approaching curves and slow to a safe speed by using the navigation system. Drivers can program the system to match the posted speed limit automatically.
- Available Harman Kardon audio – High-end audio specialist Harman Kardon has created a 10-speaker sound system backed by a 640-watt amp and powered subwoofer for banging good sound.
2023 Kia Soul EX: $24,190
The EX is the trim for people who like fun gadgets and a few more comfort and convenience items. We also think it makes a better choice for people living where cold and snow are a regular part of life.
The EX builds off the S and adds sporty 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, fog lights, and a power sunroof. Gloss black exterior trim gives the EX a more distinct look.
The EX cabin gains heated front seats, a rear center armrest with built-in cup holders, illuminated sun visors, LED interior lighting, premium cloth seating, a dual-level cargo floor, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
With the $1,325 destination fee, the price for the 2023 Kia Soul EX comes to $25,515. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment should be about $481. See 2023 Kia Soul EX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Soul EX includes:
- Power sunroof – An excellent way to let more light into the cabin or more fresh air when opened. Includes a power sunshade to cover the roof when desiring less light.
- Heated side mirrors – Heaters inside the mirrors switch on with the rear defroster, helping to keep snow and ice from building up and blocking your view.
- Heated front seats – With multiple heating levels, these seats make it easy to keep warm without blasting the car’s climate-control system.
- 17-inch alloy wheels – These give the Soul a racier look and better grip for added fun on curvy roads.
