Update to this. Still driving my 2012 Soul. It just hit 171,000 miles. Only had minor issues with 1 of the pistons. 100 dollar fix and runs like new again
This car literally seems perfect in every way, it's crazy how nice you can get the interior and all the upscale options and I wasn't aware of the the 2.0 engine, awesome choice!
wow, i was quite surprised how nice the cabin was in this. This reinforces my new found appreciation for kias. Very nice review as always, keep 'em coming.
we are the new owners of a 2012 Kia Soul, my Aunt had one let me drive hers and I was hooked, so glad we have one in memory of her. Its Very good on gas and we drive it a lot. Got ours in Nov. 2017.
This is at the top of my list along with the Honda fit. Great to see someone doing real world reviews with cars that are tangible with lots of competition.
Great car I have had my silver 2012 Kia Plus for 5 months now and I am very happy with her....KC.....she has everything and was a big change for me coming from a 1967 VW 13 window deluxe bus....Eve.....I had her for 20 years or so...this video is right on the money.
I bought my daughter the Soul Exclaim, when she graduated from High School. Hers has the 18" wheels with low profile tires, plus the works. It only had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it.
Turn signals are commonly used on mirrors to alert drivers on your sides about any intentions. For instance, on a freeway someone signals to change lanes, a driver in that person's blind spot won't necessarily see their front or rear facing signals, so mirror signals are safer in this situation.
Japan was ahead of everyone. They built boxy cars that were cheap and because of the boxy shape, spacious. I have always wondered why Honda Element was never sold in Europe, it's like they don't want people's money. If you will say "because it wouldn't sell", guess what, many people imported the car from US and ended up paying 50% more than the US price because of tolls and taxes, so there definitely is a lot of demand. Instead most cars are these aerodynamic bubbles as if most people drive on the autobahn or something.
we have 2 of these in the driveway now !! there just fun, awesome lil wagons and the price is right, peppy lil motors fun steering and gas mileage to go anywere 30+mpg I'm 36 and my roomie is 50something and we just love them !
For a car that was first marketed to young people, I love it and I'm a middle aged artist! I'm glad they got rid of the red dashboard lighting in favor of white. Wish they would do that for the Forte.
I like looking at Tom's car reviews simply because he gives as much info as you possibly would need & interior to exterior views. I just wish there was a review of my car before i bought it. I love it anyway. Thanks
In the states it's called Moss. The closest I've seen in Canada is Olive Green (I spend a decent amount of time in Vancouver). My wife likes the Saddle Brown you folks get, not available in the US.
53 yrs of cars under my belt,this hatchback is put together very well !Only 1 service must be applied a gdi valve cleaning every 10,000 miles the valves will gum up creating a ticking noise. So CRC gdi cleaner for valves @$17.00 a can pulse spray in breather or pcv inlet for 10 mins,@ 1500 rpm then let set off for 1 hr then drive hwy speed for 15 mins do this every 10,000 your intake valves will stay clean! P S these Kia's are built better than Honda or Toyota get the 1.6 it has a timing chain!
Wait. First, I did not buy this for my wife. I helped her research but she is her own person who bought it herself. She wanted a wagon/hatchback with personality. Second, cars are very personal things. Don't buy one because someone else likes it. I think Soul has a very cool design, sort of the Wayfarer sunglasses of the automotive world, but I understand it's not for everyone. Buy what you love. And she still loves it after 10 months.
This is pretty common these days with many brands. There's a repair kit and roadside assistance. Frankly, most people don't even know how to change a tire safely so it's probably better this way.
Kudos for the focus on design. I've said to my mates that I think this car's more handsome than the new BMW 5-Series. It's got loads of complex surfaces yet still manages to restrain its brashness. Pity the interior is so toned down though. Excellent review.
@mattmc8391 I know about that.. I'm a Kia owner myself. Right now in the US, there's only the 1.6DI in the base soul, rio, accent, and veloster. The 1.8 and non-turbo 2.0s are yet to be out in any of our models.
Concord Kia wanted in mid/high 20s for the ! with leather, heated seats... This video has shown me that I want the Plus model due to the ecological ISG and do want the UVO and HD radio tuner. So the premium package is out, don't need heated seats in the SF Bay Area, and the push button start scares me. So now I know which model I want and some options.
Great reviews man. Actually what i meant to say was you make the best reviews ever! Better than Motortrend. Dnt stop the vids and hope you earn more views! ;D
This car the 2013 soul [top of the line bought it 3 years ago it was salvaged. It is the best car I ever owned and my 1st was a 1955 ford so I have had many cars but this car is great on gas and very very quick.I love this car I'm a soul man!!! Handles great smooth ride and very quiet sometimes I think the car is off it is so quiet.
Still unsure about the reliability on these. The Scion xB is extremely reliable and gets about the same EPA rated mpg as the Soul's 2.0. Also xB is bigger which means fitting my bike inside is much easier
KIA Soul is good for mild or hot weather climates. I hear it doesn't do so well in the snow and ice regions. It would be better if they added AWD drive to it or 4x4 option.
He only used it at 3:51 for the TP Test... Thus why he said "We have file footage" and also at 4:19. He couldn't do it with the 2012 since they were at a Press Release thing.
@techdude6693 Hyundai / Kia does build a version of the 2.0 NU ( which is NEW BTW ) that is direct injected , but is currently only used in Korea in the K5/ Optima .... There is a video on youtube showing the technology of the new Hyundai NU engines , which is the 1.6 / 1.8 and 2.0
It’s good car 🚘. I like it. Just do the PMS maintenance 👩🔧 it will last. Take care of it. I bought mine used from the towing company. Still running daily driving to work and home 🏠. Kia Soul plus 2012. I have already 135,210 miles on it. No 👎 issues.
3:57 "Underneath is a tyre repair kit, no spare" What do you mean? no spare tyre in that car or at all. A spare + jack is a standard feature and if you've been sold a car without either of these then you've been done. What are the dimensions of the car what is the size of the boot room with and without the seats down
@madant1977 You are correct, the US and Korea are by far the largest markets for Soul. Power is actually slightly higher in class, fuel economy is much higher than closest competitor xB. Quality? Everyone screws together great cars these days, not the issue it once was. Looks are subjective. Kia's brand is ascending like a rocket considering they've doubled market share in three years. Cars are a personal choice. What's a great car for many is definitely not for others. It's that simple.
@LeadHammer Looking at EPA estimates alone, the Soul is the best. xB is 22/28, Cube is 27/31 and Soul is 26/34. And a CVT isn't "infinite gears" its 1 continuous gear, 6 speeds are always better. Even look at the midsize car class, the Camry and Sonata with 6 speed transmissions are rated 35 on the highway and the Altima is 32 despite being less powerful
you did not talk about what under the hood like the transmission on Kia soul 2012 . I need to change my transmission fluid in my car . The dealer want charge me over 200.00 dollars.
Tom, I spoke to rep at a local Kia dealership; he said that Soul sells well with older buyers because of its accessability and driver visibility. More fuction instead of fashion.
Great video as always! I was going to ask if you were reviewing your wife's car until I saw the end. I see so many of these now that you don't stand out as much if you're in one of these.
I think if I could find a 2012 or 2013 Kia Soul in Moss or Dune with the Premium Package and that leather interior I would drop the idea of a 2015/2016 Hyundai Sonata.
My 2012 Soul+ has 143k miles and has caused no problems. It is also in Moss Green, like Tom's. I was looking for a new car to haul my drum set in. After ruling out the CRV (poor supply) and the Element (out of production) I took my 6 pc. drum set to the Kia dealer and told them that if it fit, I was buying. They offered to help load.
You won't be stranded. You have a repair kit that can repair the tire. OR All new KIA comes with 6 years/ 60K miles free road side assistance. So you just call them out and they'll repair the tire for you, or they can bring you a new tire and change it for you.
My wife just got a Soul and boy, this little car really have personality. I actually kind of like it after just a weekend.
We bought ours used. It's a 2012. Pregnant and due soon we bought this. Ironically I had bought a hamster a few months prior. LoL. Now baby #3. 💖
Does it still run good?
Adore this car. I have a 2012 model and still running like new. Has 153,000 miles on it. ❤️❤️❤️
153K? Impressive! Ours is only at 50K and is currently living the LA lifestyle with our son.
@@DrivenCarReviews180k now 🎉
Update to this. Still driving my 2012 Soul. It just hit 171,000 miles. Only had minor issues with 1 of the pistons. 100 dollar fix and runs like new again
@@btsfan69420 I want to buy this car can you tell me is there any problem about engine or transmission?
This car literally seems perfect in every way, it's crazy how nice you can get the interior and all the upscale options and I wasn't aware of the the 2.0 engine, awesome choice!
wow, i was quite surprised how nice the cabin was in this. This reinforces my new found appreciation for kias. Very nice review as always, keep 'em coming.
we are the new owners of a 2012 Kia Soul, my Aunt had one let me drive hers and I was hooked, so glad we have one in memory of her. Its Very good on gas and we drive it a lot. Got ours in Nov. 2017.
I might get 1 !
How is it holding up?
This is at the top of my list along with the Honda fit. Great to see someone doing real world reviews with cars that are tangible with lots of competition.
Great car I have had my silver 2012 Kia Plus for 5 months now and I am very happy with her....KC.....she has everything and was a big change for me coming from a 1967 VW 13 window deluxe bus....Eve.....I had her for 20 years or so...this video is right on the money.
KIA is stepping up their game. I really like this car. I'm planning on purchasing one.
Tom, you do the best car reviews on the net! I see these Kias everywhere! Very cool design. Looking forward to your long term reviews of this vehicle.
I bought my daughter the Soul Exclaim, when she graduated from High School. Hers has the 18" wheels with low profile tires, plus the works. It only had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it.
Turn signals are commonly used on mirrors to alert drivers on your sides about any intentions. For instance, on a freeway someone signals to change lanes, a driver in that person's blind spot won't necessarily see their front or rear facing signals, so mirror signals are safer in this situation.
Japan was ahead of everyone. They built boxy cars that were cheap and because of the boxy shape, spacious. I have always wondered why Honda Element was never sold in Europe, it's like they don't want people's money. If you will say "because it wouldn't sell", guess what, many people imported the car from US and ended up paying 50% more than the US price because of tolls and taxes, so there definitely is a lot of demand. Instead most cars are these aerodynamic bubbles as if most people drive on the autobahn or something.
@Ryman624 Thanks man! Steve puts a good amount of production into his reviews. It's appreciated when people actually notice.
3:53. Buyin toilet paper like mad. This man is ahead of his time.
great review. you have one of the best review channels on youtube. you and steve hammes are at the top of the list for these kind of reviews
@randyseck At least I know you watched to the end...
That's the color & year of my Soul - which I bought new in Dec. 2011, sadly it's on it last legs having done over 200,000 miles
we have 2 of these in the driveway now !! there just fun, awesome lil wagons and the price is right, peppy lil motors fun steering and gas mileage to go anywere 30+mpg I'm 36 and my roomie is 50something and we just love them !
I agree, but the light is toward the front of the mirror. There is only a small dot for the car in the blind spot ...
For a car that was first marketed to young people, I love it and I'm a middle aged artist! I'm glad they got rid of the red dashboard lighting in favor of white. Wish they would do that for the Forte.
I like looking at Tom's car reviews simply because he gives as much info as you possibly would need & interior to exterior views. I just wish there was a review of my car before i bought it. I love it anyway. Thanks
The best car reviewer on TH-cam, hands-down!
In the states it's called Moss. The closest I've seen in Canada is Olive Green (I spend a decent amount of time in Vancouver). My wife likes the Saddle Brown you folks get, not available in the US.
I bought one ..Love it ..Its a great car.. My service after the sale was superb at Lioncountry Kia state college pa
Yes it does. I'd wait for the 2014- due soon- if I were you.
I'm watching in december 2023 . Very good quality
53 yrs of cars under my belt,this hatchback is put together very well !Only 1 service must be applied a gdi valve cleaning every 10,000 miles the valves will gum up creating a ticking noise. So CRC gdi cleaner for valves @$17.00 a can pulse spray in breather or pcv inlet for 10 mins,@ 1500 rpm then let set off for 1 hr then drive hwy speed for 15 mins do this every 10,000 your intake valves will stay clean!
P S these Kia's are built better than Honda or Toyota get the 1.6 it has a timing chain!
i like the quality of the camera u guys used on this video.
Wait. First, I did not buy this for my wife. I helped her research but she is her own person who bought it herself. She wanted a wagon/hatchback with personality.
Second, cars are very personal things. Don't buy one because someone else likes it. I think Soul has a very cool design, sort of the Wayfarer sunglasses of the automotive world, but I understand it's not for everyone. Buy what you love. And she still loves it after 10 months.
This is pretty common these days with many brands. There's a repair kit and roadside assistance. Frankly, most people don't even know how to change a tire safely so it's probably better this way.
i drove a 2010 kia soul as a rental car, amazing vehicle. loved it more than my current honda fit
im so hapy to see this kia soul model ! evry single 2012 kia soul vidoe that i was seeing was the + model
Kudos for the focus on design. I've said to my mates that I think this car's more handsome than the new BMW 5-Series. It's got loads of complex surfaces yet still manages to restrain its brashness. Pity the interior is so toned down though. Excellent review.
@mattmc8391 I know about that.. I'm a Kia owner myself. Right now in the US, there's only the 1.6DI in the base soul, rio, accent, and veloster. The 1.8 and non-turbo 2.0s are yet to be out in any of our models.
Concord Kia wanted in mid/high 20s for the ! with leather, heated seats... This video has shown me that I want the Plus model due to the ecological ISG and do want the UVO and HD radio tuner. So the premium package is out, don't need heated seats in the SF Bay Area, and the push button start scares me. So now I know which model I want and some options.
I really like the color scheme too. Not sure if I LOVE it, but I like it a lot. :)
Great reviews man. Actually what i meant to say was you make the best reviews ever! Better than Motortrend. Dnt stop the vids and hope you earn more views! ;D
Thanks for the reply. Boy the '14 is a step up I think, drove one and loved it.
Just can't afford it right now.
i wanna buy this car, its perfect for me. Not too big nor too small, its cute. And i like how it has room on the back. Its not expensive either. :)
Quick question:
I'm 6'3" (1m90) tall and I LOVE this car. Will I fit in it?
I agree the gas tank seems a bit small though I don't know its capacity. Very good review and look forward to your follow up.
This car the 2013 soul [top of the line bought it 3 years ago it was salvaged. It is the best car I ever owned and my 1st was a 1955 ford so I have had many cars but this car is great on gas and very very quick.I love this car I'm a soul man!!! Handles great smooth ride and very quiet sometimes I think the car is off it is so quiet.
Great review! I've been concidering the Soul for a year now and I've been wondering if Kia is planning to put in a turbo engine or AWD for the 4u?
Still unsure about the reliability on these. The Scion xB is extremely reliable and gets about the same EPA rated mpg as the Soul's 2.0. Also xB is bigger which means fitting my bike inside is much easier
KIA Soul is good for mild or hot weather climates. I hear it doesn't do so well in the snow and ice regions. It would be better if they added AWD drive to it or 4x4 option.
He only used it at 3:51 for the TP Test... Thus why he said "We have file footage" and also at 4:19. He couldn't do it with the 2012 since they were at a Press Release thing.
hey tom, after 6 months of having this car, how do you guys like it?
Hard to get a better endorsement from a car reviewer than, "I bought one."
@techdude6693 Hyundai / Kia does build a version of the 2.0 NU ( which is NEW BTW ) that is direct injected , but is currently only used in Korea in the K5/ Optima .... There is a video on youtube showing the technology of the new Hyundai NU engines , which is the 1.6 / 1.8 and 2.0
i am thinking about buying a 2012 kia soul or a 2012 kia rio hatchback
Does the tan dash reflect onto the windshield? The two rows on LEDs beneath the headlights, is one row for the turn signal and the other one for DRL?
I drove one as a rental and it was well equipped, but no cruise control.
When are you guys going to have 1080p videos?
The spare tire is underneath the cargo tray in the trunk
It’s good car 🚘. I like it. Just do the PMS maintenance 👩🔧 it will last. Take care of it. I bought mine used from the towing company. Still running daily driving to work and home 🏠. Kia Soul plus 2012. I have already 135,210 miles on it. No 👎 issues.
i have a 2012 + model and i love it im just waiting for the after market to get bigger for this edition
I really like this car. The ride height is a plus, another possible first car..
3:57 "Underneath is a tyre repair kit, no spare"
What do you mean? no spare tyre in that car or at all. A spare + jack is a standard feature and if you've been sold a car without either of these then you've been done.
What are the dimensions of the car what is the size of the boot room with and without the seats down
Thanks man but what about surround sound system?
i just bought a 2011 kia soul and i love it.
good for you Tom... nice review...
Starting at 16,000 Canadian, this would be the perfect first vehicle IMO.
I love this car so much it's so cute ❤️😍😍
@madant1977 You are correct, the US and Korea are by far the largest markets for Soul. Power is actually slightly higher in class, fuel economy is much higher than closest competitor xB. Quality? Everyone screws together great cars these days, not the issue it once was. Looks are subjective. Kia's brand is ascending like a rocket considering they've doubled market share in three years. Cars are a personal choice. What's a great car for many is definitely not for others. It's that simple.
this car sounds fantastic! its persuading me to get one!
I like my Kia Soul.. its a great car for anyone
For someone who is turned off by Scions, this car is attractive! A compact SUV for a compact car price
@LeadHammer Looking at EPA estimates alone, the Soul is the best. xB is 22/28, Cube is 27/31 and Soul is 26/34. And a CVT isn't "infinite gears" its 1 continuous gear, 6 speeds are always better. Even look at the midsize car class, the Camry and Sonata with 6 speed transmissions are rated 35 on the highway and the Altima is 32 despite being less powerful
I don't get the use of this on the mirror... Please someone explain me ...
you did not talk about what under the hood like the transmission on Kia soul 2012 . I need to change my transmission fluid in my car . The dealer want charge me over 200.00 dollars.
Is that an LED turn signal I see at 0:28? If it is, that's impressive for a car of this price.
Tom, I spoke to rep at a local Kia dealership; he said that Soul sells well with older buyers because of its accessability and driver visibility. More fuction instead of fashion.
this guy is one of great car reviewers, and he bought soul for his wife. I think I have to buy this car.
just wondering... what exact color is the exterior of this 2012 kia soul and what is the interior color??
The Exclaim, or as Kia calls it, !.
Question--- WHERE did you get that stuffed hamster??
Speaking of 2014, when is a review coming from you, Tom?
but they have a 100k mile warranty right?
The stuffed Mouse! nice touch (from the commercials :D)
Thats a nice color
Great video as always! I was going to ask if you were reviewing your wife's car until I saw the end. I see so many of these now that you don't stand out as much if you're in one of these.
I think if I could find a 2012 or 2013 Kia Soul in Moss or Dune with the Premium Package and that leather interior I would drop the idea of a 2015/2016 Hyundai Sonata.
My dad got one like to days ago and I real like it a lot nice
Hey Tom, how has the Soul held up for you? I had one recently as a rental and my wife is now considering one for herself.
My 2012 Soul+ has 143k miles and has caused no problems. It is also in Moss Green, like Tom's. I was looking for a new car to haul my drum set in. After ruling out the CRV (poor supply) and the Element (out of production) I took my 6 pc. drum set to the Kia dealer and told them that if it fit, I was buying. They offered to help load.
Great review!
@2fast4all i cant wait to see the ! model personly :)
Please don't stop making videos :)
I just got a 2013 champayne white one for early christmas present!!!
does this model (2012 kia soul !) come with a backup camera? or other models too?
RayKik-e yes
I might get one tomorrow!
So thats what u drive tom! Lol! I dont actually mind the soul! A lot prettier than the nissan cube!
I want one.....right now I have a Kia Sportage but this car is smaller and gets better gas millage.
It a bit of a drive for me, sorry. Have fun!
Driven Car Reviews hey, would you happen to know how many miles a 2012 Kia Sole will drive? I’m thinking about buying a 2012 but it has 190000 miles..
You won't be stranded. You have a repair kit that can repair the tire.
OR
All new KIA comes with 6 years/ 60K miles free road side assistance. So you just call them out and they'll repair the tire for you, or they can bring you a new tire and change it for you.
Very cool looking.
my outback's held up for 14 years easily. how will this fair?
Este carro é lindo Kia Soul 2012 adorei .
i have a silver 2.0 in manual config and i wouldnt trade it in for anything 😭 i love he little thing
i love ur reviews :)