2012 Kia Soul Offers Stylish Way to Earn 35 MPG Highway

Off-beat styling and solid gas mileage help make the 2012 Kia Soul a good option for many shoppers in the market for a compact vehicle. The 2012 year greets the Kia with better engine options and slight changes in styling. Keep reading to review specs, features and pricing for the 2012 Kia Soul.

Styling: 2012 Kia Soul

It's safe to say that the Kia Soul has a polarizing style. If the boxy frame and sloped window frames don't turn you off, then chances are the Kia Soul's overall package will prove rather enticing. Compared to last year's model, the 2012 Soul receives a boost in interior materials quality. Beyond an improved interior feel, this boost in quality also helps reduce road noise. Heated seats, a navigation system, LED running lights and a telescoping steering wheel are also now available on the Soul.

As with last year, the Kia Soul offers a good amount of interior cabin space. Both front and rear passengers should find little to quibble about when it comes to comfort. A maximum storage capacity of 53.0 cubic feet is competitive for the compact class. With rear seats up, the Kia Soul's trunk offers 19.0 cubic feet of storage.

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Performance: 2012 Kia Soul

For 2012, the Kia Soul upgrades to a more powerful and efficient engine lineup. The base engine comes in the form of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that manages 128 horsepower and 123 lb-ft. of torque. This power plant can be pared to either a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission. Regardless of transmission, you'll get an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway (30 mpg combined). This is a vast improvement over last year's model (26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway).

While the base engine isn't exactly sluggish, some car shoppers may prefer the feel of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder upgrade engine. This engine promises 164 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. Standard models deliver 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway (29 mpg combined). However, a 2.0 Eco package is available that brings estimates back up to 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

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Safety: 2012 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul comes well-equipped with standard safety features that include four-wheel antilock brakes, brake assist, traction control, stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and hill-start assist. In crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2012 Kia Soul earned a top rating of "Good" in all categories.

Pricing and Features: 2012 Kia Soul

Initial asking price for the new Kia Soul is $13,900. For that price, you'll get power locks, power mirrors, air conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 60/40 rear split seat, four-speaker stereo, CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary input and iPod or USB interface. Opt for the automatic transmission, and you'll also get keyless entry, cruise control, height-adjustable driver's seat, Bluetooth and rear privacy glass.

Available Eco packages add such things as a stop/start system, low-rolling-resistance tires and a more efficient battery. Other upgrades that can be found on upper-tier models include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, two-tone houndstooth upholstery, sunroof, keyless ignition, leather seats, automatic climate control and more. If you want all those bells and whistles, you can expect an MSRP around $19,600.

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