I am possibly trading in my 2014 Sorento for a 2015 Kia Soul, not sure which trim level as of yet (will depend on the financial side of things) but basically I am looking at reducing my fuel costs and consumption by a little, as well as hopefully reducing my monthly payments.
What I'm wondering is, does anyone here drive the 2014/2015 Soul, and over all are you satisfied with it, have they really improved things like ride quality, comfort, noise, or any other issues that were found (and always are) with the older models?
My wife currently has the 2013 Soul 4U, which I have driven a bunch in the last 2 years or so, and I really like it over all, it's quite zippy for a 4cyl 2.0L engine, and it's not bad comfort wise for an 'econo-box-wagon-mini-suv' type vehicle in my opinion.
I'm hoping to be able to go for the fully loaded SX Luxury (what they call it in Canada, basically the fully loaded top of the range model) so I can get things like the ventilated seats, nicer 18" wheels, better stereo, heated steering wheel etc.
Thanks for any comments or info you can provide to help make this decision easier, cheers!
Just a couple of personal thoughts. Take them with a grain of salt as they may not apply to you, but . . .
1.) While I think the Soul is a cute little 'baby' SUV/Crossover/Wagon/Whatever it's called, after driving, enjoying and being used to the roominess, ride and performance of a Sorento, I think I would be hard-pressed to feel as comfortable or happy in a Soul (ride quality, seating and carrying capacity, etc.).
2.) Trading in a 2014 Sorento on a 1 year newer model of lesser value, I doubt whether you would see much, if any appreciable savings in monthly payments. Remember, depreciation of value on a car is highest the first couple of years. In fact, I think you could end up paying even more. Fuel cost savings also, I think would be negligible as your Sorento already has the 4 cyl. engine. And with the price of gas going down these days, would you really save that many $$ ?
3.) I haven't driven one personally, but I talked to someone with a Soul a couple months back and asked them how they liked it. Their only complaint was the way the doors are shaped at the window line with an upward sweep toward the outside mirror, and as low as the seats were in it, they found it hard to see out and down along the side when in the driver's seat. Whether this is true or not, or whether they were just short or the driver's seat doesn't have a vertical adjustment, I don't know. I'm just throwing this out here as something I heard from an actual owner.
Again, your mileage may vary as they say and this is a personal decision only you can make, but I'd advise you to carefully weigh the pros vs. the cons before pulling the trigger.
I actually have the V6 AWD so it will be a difference in fuel consumption and ultimately, fuel costs.
The EX V6 AWD uses around 9/10L per 100km on the highway, and around 12/13L per 100km in the city, my average on the computer is around 15.7L/100km, not sure how completely accurate that is, but the soul at around 7/8L per 100km highway and around 9-10L/100km city driving is quite better than an average of at least 13-15L/100km in the V6 Sorento.
As for the financing/monthly costs, my loan isn't just for the vehicle, it's a whole whack of other loans, past debt, other things combined with the vehicle, so I'm hoping that going to a lower priced vehicle, even if necessary the Soul in a lower trim level like the LX+ or EX+ might end up being even slightly lower in the end than my $35,000+ Sorento plus other debt is costing me.
Every dollar at the moment helps, if I can save even $100/month between a tiny bit less in car payments, and a little in fuel savings, will help with breathing room for our other debt. Throw in the fact that I may soon be cutting my commute down from around 72km a day for work to 14km per day, that savings will be even more, hardly any gas to get to work, lower loan payments = good for getting on track financially to me.
So far - I love it! Only had it about 3 weeks so I can't comment on how it is going to hold up yet.
I can say I love the way it drives and I love how easy it is to get in and out of. Not sure what the poster above was saying about not being able to see out? I have the base model and my seat is adjustable up and down. One of the things I love is the open view from the drivers seat. The dash looks great, lots of interior room, minimal road noise (I used to drive a 4 door sedan and the Soul is almost as quiet).
I have been getting 27 to 28 miles - in town.
The only things I would change (so far) would be to make the two front seats a little more bucket type (to hug the body a little more) and I am not real crazy about the tilt of the front seat headrests.
I have read some not so great things (from owners of older Souls) about the interior not holding up too great. I hope that won't be the case with the 2015. I love almost everything about the car!
So far - I love it! Only had it about 3 weeks so I can't comment on how it is going to hold up yet.
I can say I love the way it drives and I love how easy it is to get in and out of. Not sure what the poster above was saying about not being able to see out? I have the base model and my seat is adjustable up and down. One of the things I love is the open view from the drivers seat. The dash looks great, lots of interior room, minimal road noise (I used to drive a 4 door sedan and the Soul is almost as quiet).
I have been getting 27 to 28 miles - in town.
The only things I would change (so far) would be to make the two front seats a little more bucket type (to hug the body a little more) and I am not real crazy about the tilt of the front seat headrests.
I have read some not so great things (from owners of older Souls) about the interior not holding up too great. I hope that won't be the case with the 2015. I love almost everything about the car!
We bought a 2015 base model with 1.6 and automatic trans for my wife..... she loves it and I have to say its a nice change in driving compared to my 08 sedonsa.
Pros-
good on fuel, 25 to mpg depending on driving style and town vs. Highway
Nice ride for a small car
Zippy fun to drive
They cover all price points based on what you want to spend
Cons-
A little noisy you can hear what I think is the fuel pressure regulator at idle if your are outside the car
Being its a 1.6 L its a little noisy when passing, but you have to realize its a 1.6L not a v6 or v8
Im 6ft tall and ethe rearview mirror is in my line of sight.... thats my biggest gripe
Overall my wife likes it, I like it and as long as the initial quality and long term reliability dl not change (compared to my sedona), I would not hesitate in buying one again
So I've decided to not go ahead and trade in, as it will not be possible to go for the SX Luxury model, and any other model below that I feel is not even close to equal in quality or features to the EX V6 AWD Sorento that I currently own and drive, so, thanks for the tips and info all, always good to know some people here can give valuable insight into potential purchase for completely different models etc.
I just bought the 2015 Kia Red Zone, My 1st new car and I am in love with it!!! Previously I drove a 2007 kia Sedona and now mama wanted a new set of wheels..I love the eco drive, the differnt types of steering, the infinity sound system, the panoramic sun roof its perfect for me!
My Soul+ (with the 2.0 gets the 27-31mpg. (Mostly 31mpg on freeway, it has said 36 if I keep it at 55mph) It's much quieter than a Toyota echo and about the same noise as a Volvo 240. I tried the 1.6 with the auto and didn't care for that as the transmission seems to hunt a lot but it works well with the 2.0. If you are ok with a Manual the 1.6 can match the 2.0 for smoothness. So far only 1675 miles on my 2015. Not sure about the strength or angle of the windshield glass as I have been unluckily to have been hit twice in one month hard enough to chip the windshield, the second time was a very small projectile.
My Soul+ (with the 2.0 gets the 27-31mpg. (Mostly 31mpg on freeway, it has said 36 if I keep it at 55mph) It's much quieter than a Toyota echo and about the same noise as a Volvo 240. I tried the 1.6 with the auto and didn't care for that as the transmission seems to hunt a lot but it works well with the 2.0. If you are ok with a Manual the 1.6 can match the 2.0 for smoothness. So far only 1675 miles on my 2015. Not sure about the strength or angle of the windshield glass as I have been unluckily to have been hit twice in one month hard enough to chip the windshield, the second time was a very small projectile.
Hi Gdi 3.3L fan. I have read all of the posts but cannot understand why you are not changing to Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson they are both new cars I think the Tucson is entering market 1st but they appear to be along the American design outside with the latest high efficiency engines under bonnet. The new Tucson replacing Ix35.
2013 vanilla Soul Shaker 1.6crd Auto returns 43mpg more on runs.
Jeff UK
The Kia Soul does have a hieght adjustment to it as well as back and forth and tilt to the back. I am just stating this because someone mentioned the seats are low. I have had my Kia Soul 2015 for almost a year and love it. Alot of people are slamming the smaller engine but why i do not know. I actually have the automatic which can be manually shifted. And quite good pick up in straight autoshifting and actually is quite fast for what it is when you shift it manually. Make sure you DO NOT GET THE CVT transmission.Which seems now to be offered on the 2015. I bought my 2015 when it first hit the market. I have been averaging no less then 25 miles per gallon and no more then 31 but mostly 28 to thirty on the top end. My car before this was a 1998 ford explorer this obviously has much better gas mileage. The view is very panoramic Going forward but once in a while in a tight spot or busy parking lot there can be a blind spot between the end of the rear door window and the start of the back window.
I have the base package but with the automatic transmission. Its the alien green color and gets great comments all the time. The ride is good but its not a luxury car ride but your not paying luxury car price either. Its like an SUV type ride. Do not get the one with all the electronic lights and flashing speakers and heated seats sounds cool but it seems they are having problems with the seats and lights. the 2013 rides like a lumber wagon and the 2014 does not seem to have the same ride or pick up that the 2015 does i know there is not suppose to be a difference but I seemed to see a large differance. I could of bought a 2014 new or the 2015 same monthly payment just not the same end price. i am not a wealthy person but the differance i felt seemed worthy enough to go with the 15
Good luck in yuor endevors and I hope this helps
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