So Much Soul (So Little Money): The 2020 Kia Soul X-Line

The 2020 Kia Soul X-Line.

Full disclosure: I luck into things.  I have found some of my favorite places while completely lost.  Most of the jobs I have enjoyed most I didn't even apply for.  And I think I just found possibly the best all-around urban commuter car by saying "I'll take whatever you've got".

San Diego, California.

So, here's the story.  Mrs. TireKicker and I are trying to get in the habit of going to San Diego a couple of times a year (yes, I know---the trick is actually leaving San Diego---it's marvelous), after recently re-connecting with my three cousins, their kids and spouses and my now 90-year old aunt.  Family counts.

We had decided to stretch the Martin Luther King three-day weekend to five days and I was planning on driving down, as we did for Memorial Day.  With lunch in Los Angeles, figure it's anywhere between a nine-and-a-half and an eleven hour drive, depending on the totally undependable traffic through L.A. and Orange County.

And then I see that Southwest is having a fare sale.  Forty-nine bucks a seat.  Sold!  I reached out to the prep and delivery people at Page One Automotive, who prepare, maintain and deliver about half of the cars I write about and ask if they'd be able to have a car for me in San Diego for five days.  And waiting for us when we landed was the 2020 Kia Soul X-Line.  Thank you, Page One Los Angeles and Brian Pineda!

For 2020, there are six Soul trims.  Last summer, we drove and loved the hot GT-Line, a turbocharged fire-breather with 201 horsepower from a 1.6-liter four with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. 

The other five Souls come with a two-liter, normally aspirated four making 147 horsepower and what Kia calls an IVT---intelligent variable transmission.   And the good news is, it has more than enough power for everyday use. The EPA fuel economy estimate is 27 city/33 highway.

The base Soul LX can be had for as little as $17,490.  The X-Line is four rungs up the six-rung model ladder and has a base price of $21,490.   Here's what you get standard:

• 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers.
• Anti-lock braking with brake assist.
• Traction control.
• Electronic stability control.
• Vehicle stability management.
• Hill-start assist control.
• Tire pressure monitoring.
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• AM/FM/mp3 radio with seven-inch touchscreen and rear camera.
• Air conditioning.
• Power windows, power door locks and power outside mirrors.
• Remote keyless entry.
• Bluetooth.
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
• Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls.
• Tilt and telescoping steering column.
• Center console with armrest and storage bin.
• 60/40 split folding rear seat.
• Auto on-off headlights.
• Rear privacy glass.

The only extra-cost option in our test vehicle?  Carpeted floor mats for $130.

With $995 inland freight and handling, the bottom line on the window sticker reads $22,615.  Which is astonishingly low for a car with so much in the way of usability, features and space.  The Soul is a great choice for urban commuters---and would be a fine all-around car besides.