Soul Adds Style and Convenience with Two New Packages
- Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems round out a new Premium package
- Soul gets extra dose of style thanks to new Designer Collection that dresses it up with a two-tone paint scheme and other unique elements
The extremely popular Soul upped its “wow” factor for the 2016 model year with a host of new style and convenience features, some of which actually debuted on the K900 luxury sedan. In addition, owners can further express their unique individualism through a new Designer Collection that plays up the Soul’s fun-loving attitude with a two-tone paint scheme.
Also, the 2016 Soul was acknowledged as the “Best Compact Car for Families” by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News evaluated more than 250 vehicles and named winners across 21 categories. The 2016 Best Cars for Families winners have a combination of high safety and reliability ratings, excellent reviews from the automotive press and technology and convenience features that cater to families.
The standard features list grows for the Plus model, which got the gloss black bumper “tusks,” fog lights, and integrated Rear Camera Display. With the Designer Collection package, it was inspired by its all-electric sibling, it brought new style with two visually striking two-toned colour combinations: white with a red roof, or red with a black roof. In addition, the Designer Collection added the 18-inch alloy wheels with black spokes, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob. The Exclaim comes standard with leather-trimmed seats.
Three unique trim levels (Base, Plus, and Exclaim) remain, and each one was added to the 2016 model year. Alloy wheels come standard across all models. Whereas, the base models were equipped with the Convenience Package, a 4.3-inch color touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio, and integrated Rear Camera Display.
With the Exclaim is the Premium Package, it elevates the driving experience with desirable convenience features including Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)1, both which were new to the Soul. The camera-based LDWS helped to monitor the Soul’s position and provided visual and auditory warnings to the driver when the vehicle would drift too close to the lane markers.
Other creature comforts that came as part of the Premium Package included navigation, an upgraded Infinity audio system, string-LED front speaker surround mood lighting, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front driver and passenger seats, seat heaters for all four outboard positions, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped gearshift knob.
The optional interior Umber Color Package, which is available with either the Shadow Black, Titanium, Fathom Blue or Cloud White exterior colors, now benefits from HID projector headlights for the 2016 model year.
Motivation for the Base Soul is delivered by a gasoline direct injection (GDI) 130-horsepower (at 6,300 rpm) 1.6-liter all-aluminum DOHC four-cylinder engine. The GAMMA engine produces 118 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,850 rpm. The Plus and Exclaim models enjoy the more powerful 2.0-liter NU power plant with GDI technology. Power is rated at 164 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. of torque at a 4,000 rpm. The 1.6-liter engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission or, optionally, to a six-speed automatic. The Plus and Exclaim models are available exclusively with the six-speed automatic.
- Kia Media
