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Kia Soul seen at the New York International Auto Show

Is the Fully Loaded 2020 Kia Soul Any Better?

The Kia Soul has a base model price that makes it one of the most affordable options on the market. It is also offered with an extensive number of trim levels, ranging in price and features. When it comes to the Kia Soul, you pretty much get what you get for the price, but is …

The Kia Soul has a base model price that makes it one of the most affordable options on the market. It is also offered with an extensive number of trim levels, ranging in price and features. When it comes to the Kia Soul, you pretty much get what you get for the price, but is the fully-loaded model worth the additional cost?

The fully-loaded Kia Soul

There is a pretty substantial price difference between the base model Kia Soul and the fully-loaded, top-tier trim level. The highest trim level, called the GT-Line 7DCT, is $10,000 more expensive than the model’s more popular base model. There is a pretty substantial difference that sets it apart, not only from the lowest model but of all of the models in between.

Kia Soul GT-Line parked in the desert
Kia Soul GT-Line | Kia

A sportier option

The 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line 7DCT is the sportiest option in the model’s lineup, and that is due to several exciting changes. The car’s more standard 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine is replaced with a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder that is supported by a turbocharger, giving it that extra kick of speed. The suspension is also tighter for between cornering and a sportier driving experience. Appearance-wise, the GT-Line 7DCT even looks more aggressive than the lower trim levels.

2020 Kia Soul GT-Line in inferno red driving on a track with a blue sky
2020 Kia Soul GT-Line | Kia

A good daily driver

When it comes to buying a car that you will spend time in every day, you might be more likely to splurge on the bells and whistles. The sportier driving quality isn’t the only thing that sets the top trim level of the Kia Soul apart from the rest, it also features a better entertainment system. With the upgraded suspension, the GT-Line 7DCT is even more comfortable, so you won’t get a stiff back when you get stuck in traffic. The upgraded braking system will help you react when you’re stuck in the stop-and-go hustle of the daily drive.

Paired with the add-on of all of the car’s available safety features, such as the DriveWise Safety Suite, and you will feel confident in this car every time you leave the house. Upgrading also means getting a bigger, better infotainment system, featuring a user-friendly 10.3-inch infotainment screen to keep your spirits up even before your morning coffee has kicked in.

The Kia Soul X-Line on display in Los Angeles, California. The Soul is part of a Kia lineup that includes other popular models like the Telluride and K5
The Kia Soul | FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

The Kia Soul might not be the fanciest or sportiest car on the market. Regardless, most people do genuinely enjoy owning the car. In fact, many owners have a lot of positive things to say about the different trim levels of the Soul, so it stands that adding more perks and upgrades would only do well to make the car even better than before. Whether all of that is worth the additional $10,000 in price is up to you, but for what you get, it’s definitely a bargain.

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