2017 Kia Soul Exclaim Turbo - Quick Review

(Contributing Editor: Susan Frissell, Women With Wheels.com)

Like any K-Pop artists worth their salt, since 2008 automaker Kia has been crushing the sales charts with its SOUL subcompact crossover utility vehicle. The edgy Korean brand has effectively used an equally hip, hip-hopping Hamster family to market the boxy ute to urban active lifestylers.

When a second generation SOUL launched in 2014, the hope, if not expectation, was for some under bonnet heat to be packed with the more muscularly defined physique.

Intent on staying at the top the "Cute Ute" heap, this year marks the behind the scenes work of some Hamsters who have been working out at the gym. For the new 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim Turbo is finally knocking on the door of hatchback hotness.

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WHAT: 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim Turbo! two-row, four plus passenger sub-compact Crossover Utility Vehicle. This performance version of the second generation PS series Kia Soul replaces the AM first generation. The Mk. 2 Kia Soul was penned by Peter Schreyer's design team in Seoul. Its Hyundai - Kia GB architecture is shared with the Kia Rio hatcback.

WHAT MOTIVATES:

• Standard Power: transverse 1.6L DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 130 hp/ 118 lb-ft + 6-spd. torque converter planetary automatic transaxle
• Optional Power (PLUS): 2.0L DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 161 hp/ 150 lb-ft + upgraded 6-speed automatic. (PLUS variant)
• Optional Power (EXCLAIM*): intercooled turbocharged 1.6L DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 201 hp/ 195 lb-ft + 7-spd. automated dry dual-clutch helical transaxle (*tested)

WHAT [A] STYLING [DIFFERENCE]: Soul was already an expressive take on the twin-slot bread toaster: √ Low front cowl, rising hood-line attaches to monolithic nose broken by low profile bow-tie grille, oversized; √ Swept back white LED browed headlamps; √ Rising belt-line and seriously raked roof; √ Deep sculpted rear quarter flaring into oversized bumper cover; √ Tell-tale tall vertical rear lamp housings

Exclaim Turbo switches from lattice to horizontal theme front fascia; √ Rear bumper cover goes shallower; √ Red contrast bar connects front fog-lamps & is painted along length of darkened lower rocker panels; √ Front & rear lower matte aluminum pseudo skid plates

2020 Kia Soul X-Line - Bottom Line Review

Small and square accommodates urban Hipster and Hip Hop Hamster pegs when Kia casts the cute ute hole. Where others have failed at mini vehicular cubism, the Korean brand has propelled its Soul to the top of America’s cute small utility sales charts. A little less cute in this sub-compact

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

WHY: A practically packaged small active family "Cute-Ute" that can make more city green lights.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Autumn 2016

WHERE: Kia new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Ulsan , South Korea

HOW ROADWORTHY: The robust corporate 1.6L turbocharged DOHC DI petrol four cylinder is compromised by boost lag and tepid throttle tip-in. In line with other dry clutch units, the otherwise swift 7-speed automated DCT engagement is clunky at low speeds, resembling a stalling sensation, and lurches upon launching. Chassis lean of less sporty Kia Souls has been excised owing to tauter springs, with improved cornering grip from wider low-profile rubber.

Compliance varies from taut to skittish, with the torsion beam rear-end makes dampers rebound in unison. Purposefully hefty electric steering exhibits intervals of vague input response. Larger front brake rotors, which should be more eager to be clamped, are hampered a bit by some static pedal feel. The Soul Exclaim Turbo obtains a slight pass on the characteristic raucous Hyundai/ Kia GDI nature, thanks to better cabin insulation. However, wing mirror whistle is noticeable at elevated speeds.

HOW FAR: 24 combined miles per gallon = 15% < base SOUL 1.6L Eco with Idle Stop & Go; Near-zero Fahrenheit ambient operating temperatures and MTBE fortified fuel likely dinged this figure.

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ immense-for-segment cabin fits 5 adult occupants;

• +1 Rear passenger knees enjoy Mississippi River-width clearance

HOW USEFUL: √ Chrome metal load floor skid plate; √ near flat folding 60/40% split 2nd Row tilting seatbacks; Low cowl & belt-line = +1 Forward visibility & minimized side, rear blind-spots; +1 large front door pockets; Tow Rating: Not Rated.

HOW SAFE: √ 6 airbags; √ Rear camera; sonar front & rear Park Assist, Roll Mitigation, √ Blind spot, rear cross traffic warning.

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: √ Heated driver/ front passenger seats; √ 10-way / 6-way power driver's / front passenger's seats; √ Heated steering wheel; D-shape heated leather steering wheel with large tactile spoke-integrated controls

Cool Gizmo(s): √ Key-fob proximity hands-free power folding wing mirrors; √ Panoramic roof; √ Audio rhythm variable 5-color illuminated front door loudspeaker bezels

Details Done Right: √ Metallic bezel rotary dials, tipped door switchgear; √ Dashboard corner integrated vent - speaker housings √ Red tandem contrast stitching; √ Piano gloss black appliques;

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Short seat cushions; -1 Sparse leather seat trim,-1 Steering wheel heating switch hidden from view; -1 Red night illumination = vision blurring

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ 8" matte capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen; √ +1 Large icons; Voice command hands-free communications; 3-D SD GPS navigation; √ Subscription based Sirius XM TravelLink Sports, Weather, Traffic; Fueling; Cinema; √ Complimentary UVO telematics includes Park Minder, Geo-fencing; √; Robust but overly reflective Harman Kardon audio; UVO-3 Apps: Android Auto, Apple Car Play, Google Local Search, destination import, Siri-Eyes, Pandora, SoundHound, Yelp

• √ USB x 2, 12V x 3; +1 Generous lower center stack mobile device connectivity/ storage

HOW MUCH: $27,500 = fully loaded 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim Turbo; Just $1500 > 2016 Exclaim adds turbocharged 1.6L engine/ 7-spd. DCT, stiffer springs and upsized front brake rotors and 235-45/18 tire-wheel combo as standard.

WHAT'S MISSING: Smoother transmission; Driver seat/ mirror position memory; 115V outlet, Cabin color contrast; native SMS messaging app; Lane departure forward collision warning + cooled front seat ($4k Primo pkg.) only available on mid-level Plus model; AWD option??

ANY COMPETITION: FIAT 500L: +1 cargo capacity; Honda HR-V: +1 Swiss Army knife 2nd row Magic Seat, fuel economy; MINI Countryman S All4: +1 "on rails" handling, enthusiast cult following; Nissan Juke: +1 Froggy-face cute, fuel economy; Toyota C-HR: +1 streamlined cockpit, standard comprehensive driver assist safety suite.