Highs Stands out in traffic, spacious interior, strong value proposition. Lows Could be more fuel efficient, all-wheel drive is unavailable, poky four-cylinder powertrain. Verdict Style, substance, and a funkadelic hamster-powered image make the Kia Soul a serious threat in the small-SUV class.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance The only engine is a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which comes paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. At the test track, our test vehicle needed 8.0 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is behind many rivals.

• 2023 Kia Soul LX: $19,890. Although basic, the 2023 Kia Soul LX comes standard with some impressive safety systems not typically found in an entry-level car.
• 2023 Kia Soul S: $22,390. The S trim would be our pick if we were shopping for a low-cost compact.
• 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line: $23,490.
• 2023 Kia Soul EX: $24,190.

To get inside this refreshed 2023 Kia Soul, keyless entry will be standard on all trims, however; smart entry, remote start, and push button start will be standard on the top three trims.

While the GT trim is only available in front-wheel drive, the GT-Line comes with the option of all-wheel drive. The GT-Line, with a starting MSRP of $26,090 for front-wheel drive, also offers a GT-Line with all-wheel drive which has a starting MSRP of $27,690.

Ride and Drive The Kia Soul GT-Line drives great, handles surprisingly well, the visibility is amazing especially for the driver, and the ride is fine. Acceleration is not great, but it'll get you safely on the freeway.

For its part, the GT-Line sports 18-inch sport alloy wheels, GT-Line front and rear bumpers, a gloss black rear spoiler, cloth and leatherette seat trim with GT-Line logo, and a D-shaped steering wheel with "GT-Line" emblem.

The Kia Seltos' GT Line trim is the sportier looking version, while the Tech Line takes a more elegant approach. As a result, you get a different front bumper that looks a whole lot more aggressive. The Tiger Nose grille is the same and you get reprofiled LED DRLs and Audi-like dynamic turn indicators.

Kia Soul Exterior The LX base trim features standard black mirrors, while the S and EX trims gain body-colored mirrors. The GT-Line sports an aggressive look with its high-gloss black side mirrors. Appearance Package: Of the four trims compared here, only the GT-Line gets a unique appearance package.

The Soul EX is the highest of the Kia Soul configurations, which includes all the features offered on the S trim and includes these premium enhancements:

• Sunroof.
• Heated Front Seats.
• Premium Tricot Cloth Seat Trim.
• Heated Side View Mirrors.
• Dual Level Cargo Board & Cargo Cover.

Yes, there is a Wi-Fi hotspot in the 2023 Kia Soul.

The Kia K5 GT-Line delivers many of the same features as the K5 GT but with less performance. The GT-Line interior offers signature SynTex seat trim and a sport-design leather-wrapped steering wheel. You can take the interior of your Kia K5 GT-Line model up a notch with the available GT-Line Premium package too.