Kia Adds More Soul to Its Funky Crossover
The 2017 Kia Soul adds a turbocharged engine to its lineup.
Sporting a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim injects more performance with a total of 201 horsepower.
That’s a 40-hp increase compared to the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter engine and an even bigger increase from the Soul Base’s 1.6-liter engine that has 130 hp. And despite the increased performance, the engine still returns a 28-mpg combined rating, which is slightly better than the combined mileage of the naturally-aspirated engine.
The turbocharged engine is mated to a new seven-speed dual clutch transmission, providing quicker and smoother shift points.
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The Exclaim model also includes specialized trim and sportier features including exclusive 18-inch wheels, red-accented body trim, chrome grille surround, unique Soul tailgate badge and for the first time on the Soul, a dual chrome twin-tip exhaust. Standard on the model are a leather-wrapped, D-shaped steering wheel, push button start with smart key and UVO3 with e-Services with integrated Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Other new options for the 2017 model year include Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Detection.
“We wanted to provide loyal Soul lovers and new buyers a sportier option,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA. “The 2017 Soul Exclaim with its turbocharged engine gives the car’s fans another wonderful choice from an already wonderful line-up.”
Discuss this story on our Kia Soul Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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