Kia has released photos of the 2023 Soul, which receives exterior and interior styling updates and some new features, including emergency front braking that recognizes pedestrians.
That’s the news from Kia USA, which offers a slightly different Soul lineup than Kia Canada does. In the U.S., buyers can choose a top-line Soul with a turbocharged engine that isn’t available to Canadian buyers.
But that’s now going to be the case for both countries with this updated model, since the U.S. company is discontinuing the turbo in favour of a “simplified lineup” that uses only the naturally-aspirated 147-horsepower four-cylinder engine with continuously-variable transmission (CVT).
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
2023 Kia Soul Photo by Kia
Conversely, while Canadians can opt for the battery-powered Soul EV, it’s not an option for Americans, whose electric-only Kia choices are the Niro EV and EV6. The Soul EV was added to the Canadian lineup when an all-new Soul was introduced for 2020. There’s no word yet on whether the updated 2023 model will include an electrified version here.
The 2023 Soul receives a new grille and front fascia, redesigned fog lights and daytime running lights, and available LED headlights. The rear fascia and taillights are also redesigned, and there are new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Monotone and two-tone paint schemes continue, with new Clear White or Surf Blue both available with a black roof.
The Soul sold 7,344 copies in Canada in 2021, but was outsold by its SUV siblings in the Sportage, Sorento and Seltos. Pricing for the 2023 model will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
Keyword: Kia unveils its 2023 Soul with updated styling and features