Overview

What's New for 2012:

• Sport trim dropped for 2012
• More powerful engines
• Exterior Features
  a redesigned front and rear fascia with new headlights and LED illumination on some models
• New 16- and 18-inch wheel designs and wider tires
• Interior is fitted with a new gauge cluster, redesigned center stack, and a new transmission console
• The interior materials and upholstery have been upgraded
• New standard USB and AUX input jacks on the center console offer full iPod controllability through the standard audio head unit

Exterior Features
The 2012 Kia Soul is a compact crossover utility vehicle offered in three different trim levels. Fifteen-inch steel wheels are standard, with larger wheels available on higher grades.

Interior Features
The 2012 Kia Soul offers seating for 5 passengers. Base Soul models are configured with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, full power accessories, 60/40 split second-row folding seats, USB audio jacks, and more. Higher trim levels are equipped with cruise control, keyless entry, power-adjustable outside mirrors, tinted rear windows, and other amenities.

Optional Features
The Premium package includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, and keyless ignition. Kia also offers a cargo cover, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a body kit as options.

Under the Hood
Kia Soul models are fitted with a choice of two engines. The standard power plant is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, and is rated at 138 horsepower. The optional engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, and is rated at 164 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, with a choice of either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 Kia Soul are:

• Kia Soul with 1.6-liter engine and automatic transmission: 29/36 mpg (city/highway)
• Kia Soul with 2.0-liter engine and automatic transmission: 27/35 mpg (city/highway)

Safety
Standard safety features of note on the 2012 Kia Soul include side curtain air bags and stability control. In government crash tests, the 2012 Kia Soul received a rating of 4 (out of 5) stars for rollover, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but was not assigned an overall rating. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Soul received a "Good" rating-the Institute's highest-for frontal-offset and side-impact crashes. The Soul also earned a "Good" rating in the Institute's roof strength tests.