2023 Kia Soul — US Buyer’s Guide
Scope: MY2023; US. Original manufacturer specification only where supported by the sources below.
The 2023 Kia Soul has a specific US configuration that shoppers in 2026 should verify rather than treating the badge as a global specification.
Original technical configuration
| Vehicle identity | Kia Soul; Third-generation SK3 Soul, 2023 facelift |
|---|---|
| Year/market | 2023 — MY2023; US |
| Body | SUV |
| Powertrain type | ICE |
| Engine, motors and output | 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder; 147 hp and 132 lb-ft |
| Transmission and drive | Intelligent Variable Transmission; front-wheel drive |
What changed or distinguishes 2023: 2023 facelift and streamlined US petrol-only trim/powertrain choices.
The powertrain and its rating context
Kia's boxy Soul has always been a packaging exercise, and the 2023 US version sharpens that proposition with a facelift rather than a different vehicle platform. The official MY2023 specification lists a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder rated at 147 hp and 132 lb-ft across LX, S, EX and GT-Line. It is front-wheel drive with Kia's IVT. The outgoing turbocharged option should not be assumed available simply because an advertisement uses the sporty-looking GT-Line badge; GT-Line is an equipment and design grade here, not a turbo-engine certificate.
Where this vehicle makes sense
A comparatively upright body gives the Soul a short parking footprint yet surprisingly useful seating and luggage space. Kia lists 24.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seat in its standard configuration and higher maximum capacity with the rear seat down. The trade is a boxy shape and a modest naturally aspirated powertrain that should be judged during motorway merging with passengers aboard, rather than from styling alone.
Practical compromises for 2026 shoppers
The change between 2022 and 2023 is mainly what a buyer sees and gets: revised exterior details and a recalibrated US range with different equipment combinations. On a used 2023 car, LX, S, EX and GT-Line can look surprisingly similar in online photographs even though wheels, sunroof and comfort features differ. A sunroof can change published headroom; checking the actual interior matters more than reading a generic measurement for the line.
Used-car inspection priorities
For an inspection, verify IVT service records and operation, air-conditioning, screens, rear camera, door seals and correct tyre dimensions. Inspect underbody or suspension components if the car has spent its life over rough urban pavement. Reconcile any recall eligibility with the VIN and applicable national regulator, rather than assuming that engine technology alone predicts a defect. Neither an attractive 2023 badge nor a low odometer is a substitute for history.
Alternatives and model-year boundaries
Hyundai Venue or Kia Seltos are more conventional small crossovers; Nissan Kicks prioritises economy-oriented SUV styling. The Soul competes on cabin shape and access rather than all-wheel-drive availability in the cited US 2023 configuration.
Sources and Further Reading
- Kia America Media — 2023 US Soul 2.0 147hp, IVT, cargo, dimensions and grade details.
Publication note: Specifications are original market/trim claims, not independent road testing. Check the VIN, owner manual, official regional recall system and actual vehicle condition before purchase. No imagery has been licensed or attached.