2011 Kia Soul ! Trim Overview

The 2011 Kia Soul’s top trim is the ! (exclaim), which uses the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine introduced in the + trim. With an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic, the fuel economy for the ! is one of its most attractive features, offering an estimated 24 mpg city/30 highway. Engine power is not one of its selling features (142 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque), but the Soul is designed for those in the market for a car to charm them with its looks, not its 0-60 times on the Autobahn.

The ! trim introduces standard exterior features not found on the Base or + trims. The large, 18-inch wheels match those found on the Sport trim and, despite an attractive look, increase noise and the feel of bumps in the road. The foglights and power sunroof that were an available option for the + are standard features for the !, and power side mirrors now receive heat. Like the +, a wing-type rear spoiler is available for the !.

Inside, the ! offers power windows and locks with remote keyless access, standard air conditioning, privacy glass in the rear and a standard audio upgrade to an 8-speaker system with subwoofer, 315-watt external amplifier, tweeters and speaker lights that pulse in red, green or blue. The audio (as well as standard cruise and Bluetooth hands-free phone) can be operated via the steering-wheel-mounted controls. Standard features, such as 3 months of Sirius satellite radio, a USB/auxiliary audio jack and AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, match those in the other trim levels.

The driver’s seat is 6-way adjustable, and the seats match the sand-and-black interior color scheme and include houndstooth seat inserts. The rear seat can fold in a 60/40 split to increase cargo space in the rear. The Premium Package (available only for the + and Sport trims) introduces the option of leather seats and heat for the front seats.

Standard safety features add to the Soul’s appeal and help make it one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2011 Top Safety Picks. The Soul includes advanced driver and passenger front airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Antilock disc brakes with brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and a tire pressure monitoring system also appear on the Soul’s standard safety equipment list.