The 2023 Kia Soul gets a new look... and no more turbo?

The 2023 Kia Soul gets some fresh style, interior upgrades, and paint options... but it also ditches two unique trims and a powertrain option. For 2023, the Soul has updated style front and rear. On the inside, you can get a 10.25" touchscreen and on the outside, there's a pair of two-tone paint options that both look great. Sadly though, Kia has trimmed down its trim lineup to remove the X-Line and the Turbo model. So now all Souls are powered by a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine which is backed up by a CVT.

00:00 2023 Kia Soul
00:19 Exterior Style Upgrades
00:38 Familiar yet fresh cabin
00:50 Trims and Powertrain
01:17 Final Thoughts
 
 

[CarnorJast]

I still have my 2015 Soul and to this day has been one of my all time favorite cars I have owned in the 40 years I have been driving!

[JohnMartens]

I drove a Chevy Spark with 98 HP for six years. I don't need or want horsepower, I want more fuel efficiency. I like my new '22 Soul X-Line for its cargo space and safety features, but having 13 fewer miles per gallon is an adjustment that will take time.

[SquachoFace]

I bought a 2021 S trim and couldn't be happier. The 2.0 and tranny are smooth and powerful. $4K below MSRP too ! Buy a set of winter tires and you'll pass a few AWD's with all season tires.

[charyleemel]

I got the full package 2020 KIA GT turbo soul, and YES it is fun!! It runs on long distance & so nimble in city drives, sharp turn, U's, parking!! Can't imagine replacing it without another turbo!

[jambajuices]

As a 2021 Turbo soul owner i can attest that you see very few of them on the road. 10 months of ownership and i've maybe seen 6 other turbos. Probably why kia dropped it from the newer models, poor sales, if i had to guess. However, i can say without a doubt that the turbo model pulls hard. The box hits corners like a sports car, and the 201hp with the 195 pounds of torque make it an easy car to daily drive. And The DCT, my god the DCT. its a little funky if its cold, but once the engine and dual clutch are up to temp, well to quote my favorite youtube car reviewer @Raiti's Rides "Throttle down, power down, shifts hit nicely" The soul is an amazing car with or without the extra power and transmission, but i'm still sad to see it leave kias lineup.

[JT-fqbl]

The turbo engine will not be missed at all. The majority of Soul buyers are non-turbo. I'm a enthusiast, but I wouldn't spend money on the Turbo. I rather spend my money on a AWD Kona (N-Line preferably and add summer tires) & Seltos. This refresh Soul is the one to buy if you want to load up a FWD H/K crossover w/ the 2.0 engine to the max. You cannot do that in a Kona & Seltos 2.0. I'll buy this loaded Kia when it comes out. Kia finally blended all the best elements of the of the Soul (2 tone colors/sporty exterior/tech) and combined them into one trim.

[iflarnted]

None of these reviews mentions that the GDI injection is gone. It's port injection now on the 2.0 engine.

[TravisCyprien]

It’s finally getting back to what it use to be. Looks good. I still have my 2013 Soul Exclaim. And love love her to death.

[bostonking]

Turbo Charge engines are not needed in City/Urban settings. KIA has become practical.

[skillet]

Looks like I got my 2022 Soul turbo just in time! The base 147 hp engine is too anemic in this car.

[RobWatkins]

I think the model consolidation is smart except for the loss of the Turbo. I have a 21 EX with the 2.0L 147 hp base engine and it's more than adequate. It hits 60 in just over 8 seconds which borders on quick. Anyone who says it's anemic probably hasn't driven one. I like the new 2 tone looks and that new blue color is dope. This new line up kind of mirrors the Soul's Canadian line up, a premium GT Line version with all the goodies except the turbo engine itself. The DCT that came with the turbo engine has been problematic for Kia/Hyundai, it has a habit of puking clutch packs every 20, 000 miles or so. Otherwise it's a smart powertrain. My 21 EX has been troublefree and I just squeaked in missing the recall on the improperly heat treated piston liners or rings, not sure what it was exactly. Great package overall! Nice review sir.

[XPLORATORY_FPV]

I’m happy to have purchased a 2022 Soul Turbo in time. Yesterday I checked the inventory at 20 So. Cal dealerships…no Turbo Soul models left & none coming.

[zacharyneyhart]

I’m about to order a 2022 Soul S and it still has the bigger screen and all the nice stuff like push button start but I’m wondering if I should wait for the new front end and the new gauge cluster. I have to wait three months for mine

[denisrousseau]

in Canada (BC and QC) we dont have the Turbo but 2 Electric version the limited with 150 kilowatts motor (200 HP and 295 f/pound of torque 65 kilowatts battery good for 250 miles same hardware as Kia Niro E V ) and the entry electric model with 150 hp and smaller battery good for 170 miles.
got the 2021 and very happy in the city you can get over 250 mile range in city with the big battery (265 mile range) 0-60 mph in 6.8 sec in real with the big battery kit an 200 hp motors (7.8 as by Kia motors printed)

[donaldostrem]

When I was car buying last november, I wanted to purchase a Kia Soul. Instead I purchased a Kia Rio S with the technology package. I just didn't have enough $$$ to get a Soul. I am going to trade in my Rio for a 2023 Kia Soul. I like all the bells & whistles on my car, but I want something with a little more room. My Rio is fun to drive, but I would like to try out a Rio or possible Seltos in the future.

[TalismanPHX]

Turbocharged version was too much money. And Soul X line was a pseudo off roader in looks only. It needed AWD, but that is the Seltos' role.

[juniord.johnson]

He'll Yeah they didn't have to take the turbo away they was the fun cars

[h.e.miller]

My 2015 Soul+ has 2.0L and 6 spd a/t. Enough power to handle city & hwy driving.
Normally aspirated more economical to operate and maintain than 1.6 turbo.
Hate that Kia went to cheaper CVT tranny about 2018, I wouldn't buy new Soul
just because of this change from real 6 spd auto to CVT

[Sriverkiller]

Of course it does! I wonder what was the thinking there?

[johnvan]

I was going to buy a 2023 Soul but with the downgrade changes, I've changed my mind! 147 horse power? I had a Plymouth Neon that had 142 horse power!!! And no Turbo? YUK!! Also, the KIA logo looked better when it was up on the hood! Kia needs a new public relations team!!