Kia Unwraps Turbo Soul in Los Angeles

Kia, trying to give its successful Soul model longer legs, debuts a new turbo variant at this week’s Los Angeles auto show.

“We wanted to provide loyal Soul lovers and new buyers a sportier option,” Orth Hedrick, Kia Motors America’s vice president-product planning, says in a statement.

Hyundai-Kia’s 1.6L turbocharged and direct-injected 4-cyl., already seen in the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, now powers the Soul’s top grade, Exclaim (!), adding 40 more horsepower and 45 more lb.-ft. (61 Nm) of torque for ’17.

The ’16 Soul Exclaim used a 2.0L DI 4-cyl. making 164 hp and 151 lb.-ft. (205 Nm) of torque. That engine still is available in the ’17 Soul Plus (+) grade and now puts out 161 hp and 150 lb.-ft. (203 Nm) of torque.

The ’17 Soul Base grade has a non-turbocharged version of the 1.6L, making 130 hp and 118 lb.-ft. (160 Nm) of torque.

Kia notes that even with the more powerful turbo 4-cyl., the Exclaim nets 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km) combined, above the 27-mpg (8.7 L/100 km) rating of both the Plus grade’s 2.0L and the Base grade’s 1.6L.

Like other Hyundais and Kias with the 1.6L turbo mill, the Soul Exclaim uses the Korean automaker’s 7-speed DCT. Kia says the transmission is well suited to the Soul Exclaim thanks to its lack of shift shock and fast and smooth shift points.

The ’17 Soul Exclaim outwardly reflects the souped-up engine beneath its hood with its 18-in. wheels, dual chrome twin-tip exhaust, body trim with red accents and a chrome grille surround.

Interior changes include a D-shaped leather-wrapped steering wheel and the previously optional push-button start with a smart key, as well as Kia’s third generation of its UVO eServices infotainment system which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Available on the ’17 Soul Exclaim is navigation, a touchscreen and a 315-watt, 8-speaker audio system by Harman Kardon. Optional on Exclaim grades as well as Plus models are two USB center console charge ports.

Available safety technology new for ’17 includes rear-cross-traffic alert and blindspot detection.

Kia designers have tweaked the Soul’s look for ’17, reshaping headlights and fog lights, as well as front and rear fascias for an “aggressive” appearance. Soul Exclaim models get a unique “Soul” tailgate badge.

After years of increasing sales, Soul deliveries have shown some weakness in 2016. Through October, U.S. deliveries of the boxy subcompact were down 3.3% to 120,859 units. Nevertheless, the Soul became Kia’s best-selling U.S. model this year, exceeding the Optima midsize sedan by roughly 20,000 units through October. The Soul also is the 13^th best-selling car in the U.S. this year, WardsAuto data shows.

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