For 2023, Kia decided to simplify the Soul lineup, starting with the engine options, which now consist of one drivetrain, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-pot making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque managed by a CVT automatic transmission. The engine’s power is sent to the front wheels with higher trim levels offering a Sport mode, and I use the word “sport” loosely. Styling updates on the 2023 Soul include redesigned front headlamps that continue its squinty-eyed stoic facial expression with a new front grille and bumper. 

The spicy 201 hp turbocharged 1.6-liter and the semi-rugged X-line trim level formerly available in the outgoing model are discontinued. Nevertheless, the 2023 Kia Soul GT Line, dressed in Neptune Blue, held my attention with the firmness of a viral internet cat video. It delivers spacious interior versatility within a compact frame that is pleasant to drive and ride. Plus, in the right exterior color, the Kia Soul can make you look twice in its direction. 

A Commonly Overlooked Sight 

The demand of everyday life makes it easy to overlook specific details in the background of our environment. Going through the day in a semi-auto pilot mindset traveling to routine locations along the same route. Unless you’re paying attention, all traffic can blend into familiar shapes of gunmetal gray, black, or silver blobs of SUVs and pickup trucks. It’s when you stop and look around to notice how many Kia Souls are on the road. 

The Soul has been on the market since 2008. It peaked in sales during the 2010s when Kia successfully moved 100,000 units a year from 2011 to 2018. Global sales of the boxy CUV have crossed the one million milestone. This statistic sounds surprising until you start counting them in parking lots. Like the Honda Civic, Ford F-150, and old-school Volkswagen Beetle, you don’t see just one generation of the Kia Soul. You see all of them. 

All popular selling vehicles can be spotted in a broad spectrum of conditions, from pristine late models to functional delicts outliving the glue on political bumper stickers. 

The GT Line Appearance Package

The 2023 Kia Soul model in this review came equipped with the GT Line trim package. There are four available trim levels, starting with the entry-level LX, followed by the S, then GT Line, and ending with the top-tier EX. The GT Line stands out with exclusive wheel design and body trim color, unique interior details, an available premium audio system, and standard safety features like automated emergency braking and rear-cross traffic alert. 

Inside, the GT Line comes standard with a flat-bottom steering wheel wearing a GT badge and dual-zone auto climate controls. In addition to the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with GPS, satellite radio, a wireless charging pad, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a rearview camera. The seats feature a mix of cloth and Syntex upholstery with the word “Soul” embroidered on the side bolstering, tastefully red stitching on the dashboard, and leather on the gear shifter. Additional driver safety aids include Lane Change Assist, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. 

The seats feature a mix of cloth and Syntex upholstery with the word “Soul” embroidered on the side bolstering, tastefully red stitching on the dashboard, and leather on the gear shifter. 

The optional GT Line Technology Package ($2,400) adds Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Go, power controls for the driver seat with lumbar support, and a Harman/Kardon premium audio system. 

The SUV’s Neptune Blue exterior manages to turn heads and pass the look-back test, where you park a vehicle and turn back to look at it one last time before walking away because you can’t stop yourself from admiring it. The deep blue color contrasts beautifully with the black two-tone roof trim, bedazzled front grille, and spiral design 18-inch alloy wheels. It could be featured as a product placement hero car in a Sonic the Hedgehog movie sequel. 

An Urban Warrior 

The 2023 Kia Soul’s ease of entry and ample headroom make plopping into the driver’s seat as ergonomic as dropping a baseball into a catcher’s mitt. The rear seats fold down but not completely flat; nevertheless, the tall roofline offers considerable rear cargo space. 

Driving the Soul’s modest four-cylinder in town won’t raise your pulse or pump adrenaline into your veins when you stand on the loud pedal. However, it does scamper away enough to hang in the fast line and overtake semi-trucks when you need it to. More importantly, it’s enjoyable to maneuver the little CUV thanks to its ultra-light feeling in the steering wheel and its go-anywhere and fit-anywhere wheelbase. With an average of 27 MPG in the city, the 2023 Kia Soul is a perfect urban warrior. 

2023 Kia Soul Lineup 

The starting price of an entry-level 2023 Kia Soul LX is just under $20k. The base model provides an 8-inch infotainment screen, 16-inch wheels, manual handbrake and is available with two-tone gray woven upholstery. The go-to trim level is the Soul S, starting at $22k, as it shares many standard options similar to the GT Line, like the larger 10.25-inch screen, dual-zone climate control, backup camera, wireless charging, and safety features. 

The base model provides an 8-inch infotainment screen, 16-inch wheels, manual handbrake and is available with two-tone gray woven upholstery.

The top-of-the-line Kia Soul EX starts at $24K and stands out from the pack with premium options like heated side mirrors and a choice of black or gray Tricot cloth seats. The GT Line, which starts at $23K, will quickly jump in price with options, as the model shown has an MSRP of $27,220.

A Box with Many Uses 

A box is an object with many uses, which makes the Kia Soul a jack of all trades in an urban setting. Whether used to deliver packages or people, the Soul’s cubic interior space provides a versatile area for so many activities. It’s small enough to park anywhere, quick enough to zip through traffic, and large enough inside to carry life’s miscellaneous demands. Overall, the 2023 Kia Soul GT Line has kept sight of what made it successful. It is a small crossover SUV with high fuel economy, low MSRP, and enough tech and color options to appeal to a wide demographic.