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  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Quick Drive: 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim

      The end result of strapping rocket boosters to a hamster

    I happen to be a big fan of the Kia Soul. Its daring looks, spacious interior, and overall value make it an interesting option in the compact class. It seems many others would agree as the Soul is one of Kia’s best selling models. To help keep it up there, Kia has introduced a new turbo engine for the top-line Exclaim (!) model along with minor changes for 2017. Let's see how these changes affect the Soul.

    • Aside from the turbo engine, Kia made some design tweaks to the Exclaim to have it stand out from other Soul trims. This includes a new front bumper, red accents, 18-inch alloy wheels, a twin-tip exhaust, and exclusive colors like this copper color seen here. The little changes really make the Soul stand out even further than before.
    • Moving on to the turbo engine, it is a 1.6L four-cylinder packing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This is only paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. If you really want a manual with your turbo-four, Kia will gladly sell you a Forte5 SX which features the same engine.
    • There is a brief moment of turbo lag when you step on the accelerator, but the engine comes into its own after this with power building smoothly. There are no issues with getting up to speed when merging or making a pass.
    • The dual-clutch transmission is a bit of a mixed bag. In stop-and-go traffic, the transmission exhibits some jerkiness and lazy shifts. We also noticed the transmission was slow to respond in terms of downshifting, making us think the programming for this transmission was focused on fuel economy. At higher speeds, the transmission is better with rapid and smooth shifts.
    • The turbo engine has the highest fuel economy fuel economy figures in the Soul lineup with an EPA rating of 26 City/31 Highway/28 Combined. We saw an average of 25.3 mpg during our week in mostly city driving, which is slightly disappointing.
    • With the turbo engine and racy looks, you might think that this particular Soul is fun to drive. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that is not the case. Out on a winding road, the Soul is competent with minimal body roll and okay steering. This would be ok if it weren’t for the sporty image that is being portrayed by the exterior. We do wish that Kia had made some changes to the suspension to make it slightly sportier. 
    • The upside to not messing with the Soul’s suspension is it mostly retains the smooth and comfortable ride of other models. Mostly is the keyword as the 18-inch wheels do introduce some harshness to the Soul’s ride.
    • There is a fair amount of wind and road noise, most of this due to the Soul’s boxy shape.
    • The Soul’s interior is still as sharp looking as it first was when the current model was launched in 2013. Little touches such as the uniquely styled air vents and orange accent stitching give the Soul a bit of whimsy. The extensive use of soft-touch materials gives off an aura of quality.
    • Driver and passenger get power seats which make finding a comfortable position very easy. Those sitting in the back will appreciate the large amount of head and legroom, due to the Soul’s boxy shape.
    • Our test Soul came with optional Technology Package that includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Kia’s UVO infotainment system and navigation. It is beginning to show its age in terms of the graphics, but it is still one of the most intuitive systems on sale today. A simple layout and redundant physical buttons make it breeze to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is an added bonus.
    • The Exclaim begins at $22,650 and comes well equipped. Standard features include automatic climate control, 7-inch touchscreen with UVO, Bluetooth, leather and cloth wrapped seats, push-button start with proximity key, and automatic headlights. Opt for the technology to get the 8-inch system, blind spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, heated seats and steering wheel, and power folding mirrors. For only $26,995, you get a nicely equipped vehicle. Our test vehicle is slightly more expensive at $27,620 due to an optional panoramic sunroof which we would skip.

    Disclaimer: Kia Provided the Soul, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

    Year: 2017
    Make: Kia
    Model: Soul
    Trim: ! (Exclaim)
    Engine: Turbocharged 1.6L GDI Four-Cylinder 
    Driveline: Front-Wheel Drive, Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
    Horsepower @ RPM: 201 @ 6,000
    Torque @ RPM: 195 @ 1,500 - 4,500
    Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 26/31/28
    Curb Weight: 3,232 lbs
    Location of Manufacture: Gwangju, South Korea
    Base Price: $22,650
    As Tested Price: $27,620 (Includes $850.00 Destination Charge)

    Options:
    Technology Package - $3,000.00
    Panoramic Sunroof - $1,000.00
    Carpeted Floor Mars - $120.00

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    G. David Felt
    27 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

    LMAO! Pay special attention to these two words. 

    “Damn near”. 

     

    In all seriousness, I’d take a Bolt or even the new Leaf over any Fiat. 

    Maybe the New XPeng RWD EV CUV?

    XiaopengMotorsEV-SUV.jpg.ae74986003fda0bd9b4686ae89fb3ed8.jpg

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    G. David Felt
    5 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

    To oldshurst442:  Hey buttcheek, who is "my employer"?

    A Lemming Surf company who slaves under so called franchise sales of Fiat aka FCA auto company? :huh:

    Talking about the owner here of the dealership you work for. :P 

    • Agree 2
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    ccap41
    3 hours ago, ocnblu said:

    Ya know... FIAT has been around since 1899... so they must be doing something right.  Meanwhile clock is ticking on Tesla.  So yes I will continue with or without your permission.

    I hereby challenge oldshurst442 to post only 3-word comments on C&G for the next 3 weeks.

    They left the US because they were shet and people stopped buying them... because they were shet. 

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    regfootball
    8 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    I haven't driven the 6-speed auto... but it's only available in the FWD base model Compass, so I think the take rate will be too low to matter. 

    The ZF 9HP fuss is much ado about nothing.  It had some early teething issues, but I've not had any even minor issues with it in a while.  It shifts smooth and goes about its business without getting in the way.  The problem arises when it is paired with engines having mediocre low-end torque like the 2.4 Tigershark. In that scenario, the transmission will shift more often than people are used to in a futile hunt for more torque.  It's not the transmission's fault, it's just doing the best it can with the amount of torque being provided. 

    With that, I feel that the 9HP is getting a bad reputation that it doesn't deserve. It is just like any other transmission when paired with weaksauce a engine. Given the choice between the Rogue Sport CVT or the Compass 9HP, I'll pick the 9HP every day of the week and twice on Sundays. 

    That isn't to say that I dislike CVTs, but the Nissan CVT is another one that does best with an engine with torque. 

    I have been researching the chrysler tranny lately due to us probably getting the Pacifica soon. The Cherokee and 200 in particular have had much issues, I would call them. Lots of bad owner comments but it could be as you say, overreaction as well. I have read more than a few folks taking the vehicle to the dealer multiple times and still issues.  But that is on the first couple model years. The 2017's they may have finally worked out more of the bugs so let's hope so. Actually chrysler has a lot of tranny and electrical issues the last few years including on the Pacifica and evidently it's happened on cherokees too where the vehicle propulsion just dies. You're going 60 and it will lock up and kill or go down to 20 etc. that is the scary stuff. 

    The old compass I rented one and it was horrible  the new one is light and day  I may recommend to my mom to look at a compass or Cherokee   A compass with 4wd, heated seats and steering wheel at 27k?  Even the renegade can be deemed a possible better choice than the soul  renegade is probably the more natural competitor for the soul IMO

     

    Edited by regfootball
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    A Horse With No Name
    14 hours ago, ocnblu said:

    Ya know... FIAT has been around since 1899... so they must be doing something right.  Meanwhile clock is ticking on Tesla.  So yes I will continue with or without your permission.

    I hereby challenge oldshurst442 to post only 3-word comments on C&G for the next 3 weeks.

    Clock is absolutely clicking on Tesla, they are the dead man walking of the auto industry.

    As to Fiat having been around since 1899, herpes has been around much longer so your argument is non unique.  There is no direct length to lifespan or size of business and quality of product. By your logic I should eat the crap food at Appleby's because they have a ton of restaurants...

    That being said, I do like the 500 Abarth a little bit, and the 124 Spyder.  Sadly, if I wanted a grenade I would by a grenade, not an automobile.

    12 hours ago, ocnblu said:

    To oldshurst442:  Hey buttcheek, who is "my employer"?

    A secret bunch of gnomes in the Black Forrest...apparently the same people who also built the first Air Cooled VW's. It's why you have this Corviar fetish you try to keep hidden with the monsters under the bed.

    if only everything could be as cool as an air cooled Kombi...we would be in bidness..

    Edited by A Horse With No Name
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    A Horse With No Name
    19 minutes ago, dfelt said:

    Being this is a Kia thread, how about some history here.

    1957 K360 Tri-cycle

    kia_k360-1957.jpg

    Kia Heritage through the years.

    KiaHeritage.jpg

    Philosophically, this destroys the notion of forward progress as a linear idea.  One does not see actual improvement from 1962 to 2010.  If any thing, de-evolution and entropy are present.

    Like the girls passed around under the bleachers back in the day at your old high school, or the sandwich you forgot in the back of the fridge...some things alas do not get better with time.

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    surreal1272
    2 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

    Philosophically, this destroys the notion of forward progress as a linear idea.  One does not see actual improvement from 1962 to 2010.  If any thing, de-evolution and entropy are present.

    Like the girls passed around under the bleachers back in the day at your old high school, or the sandwich you forgot in the back of the fridge...some things alas do not get better with time.

    Huh?

     

    Seriously.

     

    Huh?

     

    To make the statement that KIA has not improved over the years simply is as untrue a statement as one can simply make here. I have driven three different KIAs over the last few years and have been surprisingly impressed with their improvements with each model. Sure, there are always some hiccups but that can absolutely be said for a sizable portion of cars, like my wife’s HHR. The electronic gremlins in that thing are about to have a date with a match and a can of gasoline. I have also had a Lexus ES300 that should have suffered the same fate before I traded it in for a Magnum.

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    surreal1272
    7 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

    That was pure sarcasm....yes, they have improved over the years...no, they as a brand don't do a darned thing for me. .

    Might I suggest holding up a sarcasm sign next time becuase your dislike seemed pretty clear? 

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