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Thinking about a new Kia Soul. Anyone have any positive or negative opinions?

I have a friend who has one and they love it. I'd like to trade in our 2012 Accent for one but need to get some other things paid off first.

We bought a Kia Optima in 2001 and were happy with it.

Shopped for The General couple weeks back. It has good reviews, but she went with the Chevy Trax because she liked the new styling on the front.

But the Kia was strong second. Nice little outfit IMHO.

Did they ever get around to offering an electric 4WD on it?

I have a 2010 Kia Soul. Its a nice little utilitarian car. Seats four comfortably and I was able to get a 2ft x 8ft countertop completely inside and close the rear hatch. However, the fuel mileage isn't what I expected, much lower. Just my thoughts, experience.

Hi Matt,

Our Accent doesn't get the mileage they said it would either but some lady sued Hyundai and won. Now we get a rebate depending on how many miles we drive each year. A couple of times it's been over a hundred dollars and we are actually happy with the mileage it gets. It's like getting free money and as long as we own the car we keep getting the rebate. And if we sell the car the next owner gets it.

I noticed the lower gas milage. That seems a little strange in this day and age. But then, it is just a big box being pushed through the air. However, I have driven nothing but BMW's since 1990 and bing able to buy regular gasoline, instead of premium, will make up for the reduced milage. I did some basic calculations, and the milage loss seems to be about equivalent with adding one more gallon of gas with each tank. This will definitely be may last gasoline powered car.

I hope I never have to buy an electric car. I don't think in my lifetime they will get them to the point where they are practical.

They are going to have to put a GPS unit in electric cars or you are going to have to get your odometer read every year so the government can send you a bill for road use taxes.

The only way I can see them working even if they can get the batteries to hold a charge to go three hundred miles is to standardize the batteries in all cars so you can pull into a service station and exchange your battery for one with a full charge and just pay the different between the charge on the one they took out and the one with the full charge.

I've rented a Soul and my kids looked at them. Decent vehicle for the price and pretty easy to haul gear and people.

Both of my kids did some serious research and ended up with Jeep Patriots. They get 27+ MPG loaded with 700lbs of gear and have 4x4 which is needed in our neck of the woods. In 2014 the Patriots were listed as the SUV with the best TCO.

As for the electric vehicles - I have hundreds of them ;)

Electric isn't practical or desirable for me - I have to go 2000 mikes in 2 days. Have only seen charging stations in a few Locations.

Contact "Mr. Aurora" Bob Beers through his website <auroraslotcarsbobbeers.com>
He's got two KIA Soul cars, both with manual transmissions, the first of which has traversed the United States at least once.
I've done some road trips with him as well. The fuel mileage is very good, and the ride ain't bad either!
The newer one is much more quiet, and more comfortable, too.
Tell him I recommended you to him. Good luck! -- Ernie :>)

Is that the car that is powered by gerbils or have they just been known to drive them? I get confused these days....

Val

My daughter and son in law have a Soul, and it's been trouble free. Great warranty too (though they haven't needed it). ;)

Companies that offer great warranties kinda know they have a decent product.

My friend that has one says he'll buy another one when it's time for a new car.