Distance: 25 km
Date: 5 January, 2025
Location: Toronto
Up front: The interior width of the car is much wider than it seems from the outside. The small armrest is just sufficient for comfort, seat adjustment range is adequate, and the interior of this base model is well-appointed for its $25,000 tax-inclusive price.
The gauge cluster, instrument panel, and driver controls are easy to read and use. The single-zone climate control and standard heated heats warm up quickly in winter. Apple CarPlay pairs seamlessly every time the phone is connected by a USB-A port.
In the back: The rear seats have generous legroom for the subcompact class, but the bench is firmer than it should be. No trim level on the budget Soul will give the rear row its own air vent, so passengers will have to beg for fresh air.
The upright rear hatch lets you stack items in the boot. But a spare tire only came standard in the first generation Soul, not this one. You could buy a spare tire kit to fit under the false floor in the boot, but it should really come with one as standard safety kit.
Driving: The two-litre inline-four pumps out under 150 horses but weighs less than a contemporaneous two-door Mini Cooper, so it’s plenty of power for putting around town. The engine revs hard to keep up with traffic on the highway and hilly environs, making it a noisy ride when pushed.
A rear view camera comes standard, but the visibility is so good you probably don’t need it. With wheels pushed to the corners, it’s as agile as the Kia Rio, with which it shares a platform. The Should is more practical, but the Rio hatch is more fun to drive.
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