2017 Kia Soul Gets a Turbocharged Engine

Among the many changes Kia is applying to its subcompact Soul crossover, the most interesting one could very well be the addition of a turbocharged engine in the top-range SX trim, which was introduced at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

Matched to a seven-speed, dual-clutch automated gearbox, the turbo 1.6-litre engine develops 201 horsepower as well as 195 pound-feet of torque from 1500 to 4500 rpm. If these numbers sound familiar, it’s because the powertrain can also be found in the Kia Forte5 and Forte Koup as well as in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and—more recently—the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport. The Soul SX also benefits from exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, red accenting and dual exhaust tips.

Base versions of the 2017 Kia Soul keep their direct-injected, 1.6-litre four that develops 130 horsepower, while uplevel trims still get a 2.0-litre unit and 161 hp. Ironically, the turbocharged engine is the most powerful of the three, but also the most fuel-efficient with city/highway ratings of 9.1/7.7 L/100 km.

All Soul trims get some revisions inside and out, while the LX+ M/T and EX Eco variants are discontinued. Last year’s SX and SX Luxury trim levels become the EX Premium and EX Tech, respectively. A heated steering wheel is now standard on EX trims and above, and EX+ versions and up gain an intelligent key system, a seven-inch radio display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as well as speaker mood lighting, which used to be available in the previous-generation Soul. There are also three new paint colours.

The 2017 Kia Soul starts at $17,395 before freight and delivery charges. The SX is listed at $25,995, while the SX Tech, which notably includes a panoramic sunroof, HID headlights and LED daytime running lights, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert, heated rear seats and navigation, is available at $29,995. The Soul EV remains unchanged for now.

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

Paris2018 Kia Rio Five-Door Bows in Paris
PARIS, France – Although subcompact car sales are struggling in Canada, the Rio is Kia’s best-selling model on a global scale. The current generation has been around since 2011, and although the car has generally aged well, it was time for a change. The new Rio will arrive next spring …
First Drives2017 Kia Forte Sedan: Jack of All Trades, Master of None
As SUVs have become more popular, compacts have become less so, but they remain sought-after just the same, as evidenced by sales of the Civic, Elantra, Corolla and Mazda3. Given that they are relatively inexpensive, however, they are not exactly cash cows for manufacturers compared to other vehicle types. Still, …
DetroitA New Performance Sedan from Kia
At the Paris Auto Show last September, during a very brief get-together with Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of the Hyundai-Kia group, he said something big was to be unveiled at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, and it wouldn’t be a truck. The car to be revealed will …
Toronto2018 Kia Stinger: Luxury and Performance
Designed in Europe and developed in the famous Nurburgring circuit in Germany, the new Stinger is a five-door grand touring sedan that will seek to take on the Audi A5 Sportback and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. It made its Canadian debut at the Toronto Auto Show. Those are …