Home > News & Blogs > 2020 Kia Soul Review: Iconic Style With More Features and Refinement
2020 Kia Soul Review: Iconic Style With More Features and Refinement
2020 Kia Soul Review: Modernized Quirk with Big Value
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Introduction: A New Soul with the Same Spirit
The 2020 Kia Soul marks the arrival of a fully redesigned third generation for the popular subcompact hatchback. It blends its iconic boxy charm with new age tech, improved handling, and a stylish makeover—while staying true to its reputation for affordability, practicality, and fun. Ideal for city dwellers and youthful drivers alike, the Soul has evolved to meet modern demands without sacrificing its playful personality.
Striking Exterior: Edgy Design with Urban Appeal
Visually, the 2020 Soul departs from its cartoonish grin to adopt a sleeker, more assertive fascia. Slim daytime running lights stretch across the front like a futuristic unibrow, while prominent lower-set headlights lend a serious demeanor. Around back, the tail design now frames the rear glass, enhancing the sense of width and improving visibility. A two-tone roof option and available floating roofline add extra flair to the Soul’s city-smart aesthetic, especially on the rugged X-Line trim.
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Interior Comfort: Roomy and Youthful
Step inside and you’ll find a surprisingly spacious and elevated cabin layout. The upright seating and tall greenhouse create a roomy environment with excellent outward visibility. Rear passengers enjoy generous headroom and legroom, rare for this segment. Despite some hard plastics, Kia smartly integrates soft-touch surfaces, geometric patterns, and clever textures that uplift the cabin ambiance beyond its price point.
Practical Storage: Clever Space Use
The Soul continues to impress with smart packaging. A dual-level cargo floor increases flexibility, offering up to 23.8 cubic feet of storage behind the seats and a competitive 62.1 cubic feet with them folded. There’s additional convenience from enlarged door bins, redesigned center storage, and an accessible cubby beneath the center stack that houses a USB port and optional wireless charging pad.
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Technology: Accessible Across All Trims
Technology in the 2020 Kia Soul is robust, even in base trims. A standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offers user-friendly infotainment, while the EX and GT-Line Turbo receive a slick 10.25-inch split-screen display with navigation. Kia’s infotainment remains among the most intuitive in its class. GT-Line Turbo trims also add Harman Kardon premium audio and mood-synced ambient lighting to amplify the fun factor.
Performance: Peppy or Punchy—Your Pick
The Soul’s base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, now rated at 147 horsepower, proves nimble and well-suited to city driving. Mated to a reengineered CVT or an available six-speed manual, it balances fuel efficiency with responsiveness. For enthusiasts, the GT-Line Turbo packs a 201-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and dual-clutch transmission that delivers strong acceleration and paddle-shift control without typical dual-clutch harshness.
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Fuel Economy: Frugal by Nature
EPA ratings for the 2020 Soul stand at 27 mpg city / 33 mpg highway / 30 mpg combined for the 2.0-liter engine. The turbocharged model is close behind at 27/32/29 mpg. Both variants include auto start-stop systems, though they may feel abrupt. The balance between peppy performance and wallet-friendly efficiency adds to the Soul’s appeal as a commuter vehicle.
Driving Dynamics: City-Ready Agility
Thanks to its compact footprint and tuned suspension, the Soul maintains its reputation for playful driving dynamics. Steering is light yet accurate, and the suspension — especially in GT-Line form — manages body roll well. The ride is firm, sometimes jittery on broken pavement, especially with the optional 18-inch wheels. Still, it handles tight turns and congested traffic with surprising finesse.
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Safety & Driver Assistance: Expanded Features
Advanced safety features are more widely available across trims for 2020, although the base LX is devoid of them. S and EX trims include automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and driver attention alert. The GT-Line Turbo tops the list with adaptive cruise control and enhanced forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection. Note, however, that adaptive cruise does not function to a complete stop
Infotainment & Convenience Upgrades
Alongside the upgraded infotainment options, the GT-Line Turbo offers additional goodies like an 8-inch head-up display and heated steering wheel. The HUD, unfortunately, uses a plastic flip-up screen rather than projecting onto the windshield, which may reduce its usability for taller drivers. Still, feature accessibility across trims helps the Soul cater to tech-savvy buyers without inflating costs.
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Trim Breakdown: From Basic to Bold
- LX: Entry-level, manual transmission option, affordable but sparse on tech.
- S: Adds advanced safety features and key tech upgrades.
- X-Line: Off-road-inspired design elements and unique interior accents.
- EX: Emphasizes comfort and premium touches like wireless charging and larger display.
- GT-Line Turbo: High-performance trim with premium tech and bold styling.
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Value Proposition: A Leader in Its Segment
Starting at just $18,485, the 2020 Soul undercuts most rivals including the Nissan Kicks and Toyota C-HR. Even at the high end, a fully loaded GT-Line Turbo tops out at $28,485, offering features normally found in higher-tier crossovers. Combined with Kia’s legendary 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the Soul delivers exceptional value across its lineup.
How It Stacks Up Against Competitors
Compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks and Toyota C-HR, the Kia Soul offers superior interior space, tech usability, and performance variety. Where others compromise on driving engagement or comfort, the Soul strikes a balance that resonates with a broad demographic of buyers — from young professionals to empty nesters seeking efficiency and flair.
Final Thoughts: Still the Soul of the Segment
The 2020 Kia Soul succeeds by staying true to what made it a standout in the first place—affordability, uniqueness, and real-world versatility. Now smarter, sleeker, and more refined than ever, it positions itself as a top contender in the subcompact space. Whether you’re seeking a fun daily driver or a tech-loaded urban escape pod, the Soul delivers—without selling its soul.

motorverorachael
Last Updated On May, 30-2025