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I have decided on buying a Soul. I think I will also buy certified so I don't have to worry about big things going wrong. I know the plus has a larger engine. Is it worth it the extra cost? Any other key differences? Or is base sufficient?
I would buy the one that has power options. Get a automatic trans if you live in a area with heavy commuter traffic. If you get a no power base model you’ll be disappointed if your previous car had power options.
The Kia Soul is on our short list of possible vehicles for my wife's work commute. She just got a job that's 40 minutes from our home and we are looking at getting a vehicle with better gas mileage. IMO, the plus model offers many things that are worth it. In addition to the larger engine, you get things like a backup camera, heated mirrors, keyless entry, 7" touchscreen display, voice recognition, Android Auto, and Apple Car Play. Once you have those kinds of things, as the previous poster stated, you miss having them if they don't exist in your new vehicle.
I always go with the top or second from the top trim level. I like the larger screen and the technology. I don't want to live with something I don't like for the next five to 10 years.
Higher trim levels generally hold their value a bit better but you pay more up front.
Buy what will meet your needs...it would be unfortunate to buy something you latter wish had more options but if you are someone like me who really doesn't care about the bells and whistles go gor the base but know it may take a bit longer to resell when the time comes.
If you were buying new, the new Base now offers options that were previously unavailable with this model. It is the best fit for me since it comes with a stick shift!
I have the base model (automatic) and the only thing I wish I had was the backup camera. I think it is now available on the base model but wasn't when I purchased my Soul.
I think the 1.6 engine is plenty and I don't need or want to pay for all the other bells and whistles. I have bluetooth wireless and cruise control so I am happy.
Backup cam and one other item in the package were about the only options when I bought my '17 base. Without going into the brochure or website, I believe there are more options available for '18.
I've owned three Souls, two base 1.6 and one + 2.0. They've dropped the final drive for '17-'18 on the 2.0 so it's the same as the 1.6, which should quicken it up a bit. Butt dyno I can't really feel the difference, but CD got low 8s for the 2.0 and around 9 for 0-60 in the 1.6 automatic.
The plus gives you lots more option choices. I'd get it for that, not necessarily for the engine because the 1.6 Gamma is one of Hyndai/KIA's best mills and has been around for a while and is also the turbo model in a couple of different forms.
MPG seem to be quite similar across the line. Go to Fuelly - Track and Compare your MPG and check things out. Those are real reports by real drivers for the most part. MPG between my '13, '15, and '17 is within one MPG, about 29 overall.
The car is fun to drive, has a tight turning radius so it's very maneuverable in tight spots, has easy ingress-egress, lots of space for heads and feet, and a handy box in back if you need to carry stuff.
It's IMO a great choice, but you're not going to be getting high 30s MPG unless you hypermile or get the stick.
Good luck, I find it a great and fun car for what I need and want.
Oh, I replaced the original tires with BFG g-Force Comp2 A/S, those are amazing tires and IMO worth the cost. Dealer or Discount Tire will likely give you $35-$40 per OE tire on the new rubber. That put them under 400 bucks, in 225.55.16 on my base.
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