One of the more successful members of the boxy hatchback genre, the Soul is a likable economy car with enough charisma to stand out in a crowded parking lot. Its unconventional design produces a roomy interior and youthful presence that give the Soul an advantage in the entry-level price class.
Redesigned just last year, the Soul gets trim revisions only.
The front-drive Soul offers legitimate room for five passengers along with 19 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold down the rear seat and you're looking at 61 cubic feet, enough to put it firmly in compact crossover territory.
The standard 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine produces 130 horsepower and comes with your choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic is mandatory with the available 2-liter four-cylinder, which puts out a healthy 164 horsepower. Expect about 26 mpg in combined driving with either engine.
The Soul is available in three trim levels: Base, Plus and Exclaim.
Comes with the 1.6-liter engine and a high level of standard equipment for this class, including rear privacy glass, power heated side mirrors, Bluetooth phone and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio. The Base model rolls on 16-inch steel wheels.
Gets the more powerful 2-liter engine, plus cruise control, keyless entry, 17-inch alloy wheels and a storage console. From there, you can add a number of option packages.
Includes the Plus model's standard equipment and the Uvo package contents, plus power-folding side mirrors, a power driver seat, 18-inch wheels, body-color bumpers, upgraded exterior lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a cooled glovebox.
With so many high-end options available, it's not hard to add $10,000 to the Soul's base price, Unless you're stepping down from a luxury vehicle, the mid-level Plus should deliver everything you want without testing the limits of affordability.
