You do still get a manual transmission in the base model, at least.
The Kia Soul currently stands as one of the best-selling crossovers in its segment. It’s always had its own sort of personality, and the 2020 Kia Soul takes the funky look and runs with it. There’s a lack of hamsters that will be refreshing to some, but otherwise there are plenty of interesting design elements to break down with this new model. Now, Kia has released pricing figures on the 2020 Kia Soul, and it is more expensive than the old model. Pricing for the manual-equipped LX base model kicks off at $18,485 with a $995 destination fee.
The LX starts off $1,000 more expensive than the old model, with the manual transmission. That trim, and all others save the top-spec GT-Line, come with the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter engine from the new Kia Forte. That engine manages 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and comes mated to a CVT. The six-speed manual is only an option on the LX. The CVT-equipped 2020 Kia Soul LX starts at $19,985. The LX may be enough for some, as you still get a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. You also get 16-inch steel wheels and power windows and locks, but nothing in the way of driver assistance or safety features.
Getting technology like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and active lane control involves stepping up to the S trim. That model starts off at $21,285. In addition to the active safety, you get standard keyless entry, cruise control and alloy wheels.
Less is more?
Then there’s the GT-Line, which also starts at $21,285. Here, you get a sportier appearance, 18-inch wheels, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. However, you get less in the way of safety equipment. Features that came standard on the S, like rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring, are options on the GT-Line.
The X-Line is the next step up, and is the more rugged-looking version. The next trim to starts off at $22,485. You get plastic cladding and roof rails, but you lose the lane-keep assist and automatic braking that were options on the GT-Line. Stepping up to the $23,685 EX, though, brings back features available in the S plus heated mirrors and seats, dual-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, wireless phone charging, push button start and the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Top of the line
Finally, at the top of the 2020 Kia Soul Range is the GT-Line with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. It’s not cheap, starting off at a hefty $28,485. That’s a startling $4,500 more than the outgoing turbo model. Not only that, but that prices puts the 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line in the same field as hot hatchbacks like the Volkswagen GTI. What’s more, it’s even more expensive than the Hyundai Veloster N‘s $27,820 asking price.
In the top-end GT-Line model, you get 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, same as the outgoing model. Also like the outgoing model, it pairs up to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, and that’s your only option. Speccing the fully-loaded GT-Line adds adaptive cruise control, a heads-up display, heated steering wheel and a Harman Kardon sound system.
2020 Kia Soul vs. The Competition
So how does the 2020 Kia Soul stack up to the competition on price? Here, we’ll look strictly at the base price of cars the Soul competes against. This will omit models like the GT-Line that square off more against hot hatchbacks than small crossovers. However, this shows the entry point into the Soul lineup against that of its major competition.
The 2020 Kia Soul will hit dealerships by Summer 2019.
| Make/Model | Base Trim | Base MSRP |
| 2020 Kia Soul | LX | $18,485 |
| Chevy Trax | LS | $22,295 |
| Fiat 500X | Pop | $21,290 |
| Ford EcoSport | S | $21,090 |
| Honda HR-V | LX | $21,565 |
| Hyundai Kona | SE | $21,035 |
| Jeep Renegade | Sport | $20,245 |
| Mazda CX-3 | Sport | $21,435 |
| Nissan Kicks | S | $19,585 |
| Toyota C-HR | LE | $22,090 |
Overall, the 2020 Kia Soul is well-priced at the lower end against its competition. And at the higher end, the GT-Line model beats most of its competition on performance, while taking the fight toe-to-toe with hot hatchbacks.
Find out more about the 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line below:
