Kia Soul Dealer
Do you know what animal inspired the Kia Soul? While Kia once pre-owned animated hamsters in an advertising campaign for the Soul, the hamster isn’t responsible for the Soul’s origin story. As your Kia Soul dealer, we’ve got the story of how the unique Soul went from a concept inspired by a documentary on wild boars to one of Kia’s top-selling vehicles!
Long before the world saw hamsters cruising around in the Soul, concept car designer Mark Torpey left General Motors to accept a position with Kia. In 2005, he was tasked with creating a new Kia that would attract a younger generation of drivers. He toyed around with the idea and drew several sketches, but it wasn’t until he saw a documentary on wild boars that he was truly inspired. Learning more about wild boars and their significance in Korean culture, Torpey sketched a wild boar wearing a backpack. The caricature was meant to depict the animal’s strength, capability, and practicality, all of which would eventually find their way to the Soul.
Torpey’s sketch was approved by Kia designers, and the Soul slowly came to life. “We wanted something capable, dynamic, energetic, and functional in a small footprint,” Torpey said. That’s exactly what Torpey and the rest of the Kia team created in the Soul – a versatile, practical, and surprisingly capable vehicle. These characteristics make up the foundation of the Soul, and that’s apparent when you look at the Soul’s lifespan and its journey to becoming one of Kia’s best sellers.
Kia Soul: Overview
First Generation (2008-2013)
The first-generation Kia Soul makes its official debut in 2008, three years after Torpey’s first design. Boasting the strength and clever nature of the wild boar, the Soul is one of the most distinct vehicles in the Kia lineup and is meant to attract drivers who want to stand out from the crowd. The Soul is laden with personality with its aggressive yet stylish exterior, but that doesn’t come at a premium despite being loaded with many comforts, conveniences, and an array of options for customization.
Under the hood, the first-generation Soul delivers plenty of power with two engine and transmission options that cater to a variety of driving styles and needs. By 2012, Kia made several upgrades to the powertrains, and that means more power and capability when you step on the accelerator. Throughout the generation, Kia also makes several design updates by adding LED lighting, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, an LCD display screen, and a slew of special edition models that extend the Soul’s lineup.
Second Generation (2014-2019)
The Soul continues to deliver loads of personality with its second-generation model. The success of the Soul from 2008 to 2013 inspired Kia to make a few significant changes to the vehicle in terms of ride quality and overall design. These changes include wraparound taillights, a floating rear hatch panel, a longer wheelbase, and the addition of a 6-speed automatic transmission. Kia also introduced the Soul EV to the lineup in 2014, giving drivers a more environmentally friendly and efficient option.
The popularity of the Alien Green exterior color on the first-generation Soul leads Kia to update the color with a new Alien II that’s more vibrant and less reflective. The interior of the Soul also sees a new suite of intuitive technology and design details that give the Soul even more personality on the inside. Designed to entertain and impress whether you’re behind the wheel or riding in the passenger seat, the Soul features smartphone integration, Bluetooth capability, SiriusXM, and Pandora. You’ll also find a six-speaker audio system and lighted speaker surrounds that give the Soul a flair for the dramatic.
Third Generation (2020-2022)
The evolution of the Soul continues with its third-generation model that makes its debut in 2019 and boasts better performance, more personality, and loads of technology. Kia equips the Soul with its intelligent variable transmission that delivers more capability, responsiveness, and efficiency. The automaker also distinguishes the lineup with two unique models – the Soul X-Line and the Soul GT-Line. The X-Line is designed for adventures on the trail and light off-roading, while the GT-Line focuses solely on performance and speed, which explains the available performance-grade dual-clutch and manual transmission.
Aside from these two distinct lines, the Soul also boasts a more aerodynamic design with optional LED headlights, a new floating roof, and unique body kits that further distinguish the X-Line and the GT-Line. Inside, innovation is the theme, with the cockpit equipped with an oversized display that’s home to Kia’s infotainment system, as well as smartphone integration and a suite of in-vehicle apps. The Soul’s iconic lighted speaker surrounds continue for this generation, but you can now customize the color of the door panel inserts to your liking.
2022 Kia Soul
The 2022 Kia Soul continues to build on the vehicle’s promise to deliver versatility, practicality, and capability. For 2022, Kia equips the Soul with bold badging and a host of new standard features across the lineup. That lineup starts with the LX and continues with the S, X-Line, GT-Line, and EX, all of which are powered by Kia’s proven 2.0-liter engine. The Soul Turbo is the top-tier trim for the 2022 lineup and is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque for quick acceleration and exceptional handling.
The newest Soul is also loaded with innovative technology that extends from its crisp digital displays to its suite of driver-assist tools that take its versatility to the next level. The S, X-Line, and G-T Line now come standard with a 10.25-inch display that’s equipped with navigation and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The trims also include wireless smartphone charging, push-button start, and dual automatic climate control. Standard and available safety and driver-assist tools include Blind Spot Collision Warning, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, all of which work as an extra set of eyes around the Soul to minimize the potential for front, rear, and side collisions.
Who We Are
The Kia Soul makes a lasting impression, and that’s a trait we share with Kia’s fun and versatile subcompact crossover. First impressions mean a lot as well, which is why you’ll find the Allentown Kia team is quick to greet you and excited to get to know you and your vehicle needs. But what truly sets us apart from others is the lasting impression we leave with our customers because we believe that our relationship with you is only just getting started when you purchase a Kia from us.
We’re here for all your vehicle needs, from shopping for the Kia of your dreams to overseeing its routine maintenance under the careful eye and expertise of our certified service technicians. We’re here mile after mile, and that’s apparent in our free lifetime powertrain warranty that has no expiration date and no mileage limit. Considering Kia’s industry-leading powertrain and basic warranties, this is huge and truly shows our commitment to making a lasting impression on our customers to deliver confidence in your purchase and greater peace of mind on the road.
Find Your Soul at Allentown Kia
Are you a trendsetter? Do you walk to the beat of your own drum? Do you challenge the norm and embrace your uniqueness? If so, the Kia Soul should be at the top of your list as you start your search for a great vehicle with loads of personality.
Surprisingly inspired by the wild boar and its ties to Korea, the Kia Soul embodies the strength and capability of the clever beast. This strength and capability are apparent in the Soul’s impressive performance and adventurous capability, both of which are apparent throughout the Soul’s early generations to the newest model. The Soul effortlessly blends practicality, performance, and capability while also delivering intuitive connectivity, safety, and driver-assist features that add to the crossover’s incredible value.
So, has the Soul caught your attention? Then it’s time to venture over to Allentown Kia, the top-volume Kia dealer in the state. We’re here to ensure you drive home happy in a Kia you love and one that will serve you well for many years down the road. Go ahead, show your personality in Kia’s fun-loving Soul. You won’t regret it.
