We know that you’re out there, Kia Soul fans, and we have some good news. The 2022 Kia Soul is on the way with a few juicy upgrades. However, we also have some bad news. One beloved feature is saying goodbye. 

What’s new with the 2022 Kia Soul? 

We will get straight to the point. The 2022 Kia Soul is losing its option for a manual transmission. To be fair, you may not have even known that it existed. However, this sporty little box is pretty fun to drive, and the manual transmission made it even better.

But the entry-level Kia Soul gains a new technology package that includes new alloy wheels and active safety features. You get blind-spot monitoring, collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure steering assistance, and a driver attention warning system. 

According to Cars.com, the 2022 Soul is also getting a few minor styling tweaks, including the new badge. Also, the more fluid version of the Kia nameplate can be spotted on the hood, liftgate, and wheel center caps.  

The LX trim or the base trim gains a slightly larger 8-inch multimedia screen, and higher trim levels get a 10.25-inch display. It includes navigation and Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims also gain dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, a wireless phone charger, and dual USB charge ports. 

How does the Soul perform? 

The 2022 Kia Soul will carry over the same engine options from the previous model year. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder option that provides 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. 

According to Edmunds, the Kia Soul can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.8 seconds. It has plenty of power for daily commutes and is more than expected. The steering is responsive, and the cornering is pretty sporty, but the brake pedal is a little sensitive. 

But one drawback involves the fact that the Soul isn’t available with all-wheel drive. You may have to stay home during snow days. Also, it can only tow up to 2,000 lbs. It’s actually one of the hardest working options in its class, though. 

Compared to rivals, the 2022 Soul has a pretty smooth ride over bumps. At higher speeds, wind noise may enter the cabin, but it’s not too loud. Also, tire noise can be heard on the highway. Otherwise, the ride is composed and confident. 

What are the Soul’s features like? 

You can get started in a 2022 Kia Soul for about $29,365. This is a price increase of $100 over the previous model year. Other trims have increased by about $800. These prices include the destination fee. The Kia Soul gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and up 35 mpg on the highway, which is excellent. 

There are 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats with up to 62.1 cubes total. The amount of space is decent for its class. There are plenty of bins and cubbies to organize your things. 

The interior features a simple and intuitive layout. You’ll find that the seats are well-padded, and the rear seatback angle is pretty comfortable. Plus, the front seat easily adjusts to fit drivers of all sizes, and the touchscreen is straightforward to use. 

The Kia Soul was last redesigned in 2020, so it’s a bit early for a refresh. However, the 2022 model still gained notable tech and safety features to be excited about. It’s one heck of an affordable option.