- The 2012 Kia Soul gets a modest midcycle freshening and a new 135-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder GDI engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission designed to boost fuel economy.
- The 2012 Kia Soul goes on sale this summer. Kia Motors America told Inside Line it will hold the line on pricing, with the base model expected to start at under $14,000.
- Kia said it will continue to offer special-edition Souls in the 2012 model year.
NEW YORK — The 2012 Kia Soul gets a modest midcycle freshening and a new 135-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder GDI engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission designed to boost fuel economy. It was unveiled on Thursday at the 2011 New York Auto Show.
The 2012 Kia Soul goes on sale this summer. Kia Motors America told Inside Line it will hold the line on pricing, with the base model expected to start at under $14,000. The 2011 Kia Soul starts at $13,995, including a $695 destination charge.
Although the EPA has yet to announce 2012 fuel economy numbers on the Soul, Kia says the new 1.6-liter GDI engine will return an estimated 28 mpg in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. The 2011 Kia Soul with the 122-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a four-speed automatic transmission returns 26 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
The 2012 Soul gets an optional 160-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine linked to either the six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. Kia said the 2.0-liter engine with either transmission will return an estimated 27 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway.
Kia was one of many automakers to tout fuel-economy gains in rolling out vehicles at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report on Thursday pegged the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in the U.S. at $3.84 and CNBC.com on Wednesday predicted that gas could hit $6 a gallon by summer.
The changes in the 2012 Soul's exterior were characterized as "subtle" by Kia. The 2012 Soul gets new projector headlights and LED daytime running lights, a redesigned hood and new front and rear bumpers. "The overall shape of the vehicle was finessed to give Soul a smoother and more streamlined silhouette," said Kia in a statement. Two new exterior paint choices — Canyon and Moss — round out the exterior treatment.
An Infinity premium audio system will be available on uplevel Soul models for 2012.
Kia said it will continue to offer special-edition Souls in the 2012 model year.
Inside Line says: The refreshed 2012 Kia Soul is all about easing your pain at the pump. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
ambee514 says:
01:59 PM, 04/24/2011
I was expecting more exterior changes, but mechanical changes was a good call. I test drove the Soul, didn't like how it rode. I like the exterior styling, but the fuel economy isn't quite where it should have been for how small the engine is. this one is better, but I was hoping for like 35 on the highway. I will have to give it another crack when it is released.
motorstreet says:
04:10 PM, 04/21/2011
The Cube and xB are dead now, their only advantage over the Soul was better transmissions, that's gone now. This will be a great car, now Kia just needs to make AWD and turbodiesel versions.
v8vader says:
04:10 PM, 04/21/2011
more power! i love it.
dgmail says:
04:09 PM, 04/21/2011
This thing is a turd only a import bais Leinert could like
andy999 says:
04:07 PM, 04/21/2011
Modest visual changes, . . . however, the drivetrain updates with improved power output, as well as the upgrade of having the six speed transmissions, has been needed and is certainly welcomed!!!
hopster says:
03:51 PM, 04/21/2011
I would rather have a Rio hatch!
mrcellus says:
03:51 PM, 04/21/2011
A winner. Haters go away. The numbers,sales, and accolades will continue to rise. way to go kia keep quality control up thats it.