2012 Kia Soul Trims and Specs

The 2012 Kia Soul Base compact crossover vehicle receives a number of exterior and interior updates for 2012, as well as a more fuel-efficient engine and transmission. Exterior updates include a redesigned hood and new front and rear bumpers, as well as new headlights, taillights and side mirrors, plus a new Moss exterior color and new 15-inch steel wheels. Inside, the Soul Base gets a new tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and Kia redesigned and upgraded many of the cabin's interior materials for 2012. Cloth upholstery with a 60/40-split rear seatback come standard, along with an AM/FM audio system with a CD/MP3 player, USB port and SiriusXM radio. Air conditioning, a dual-level glovebox and power windows and door locks with illuminated switches are also included in the Base package.

Power for the front-wheel-drive Soul comes from an upgraded 1.6-liter 4-cylinder GDI engine, which now delivers 138 hp, up from 122 hp the previous year. Torque jumps as well, from 115 to 123 lb-ft. At the same time, fuel economy numbers for the updated engine increase by 4 mpg, to 27/35 mpg. The Base trim comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, although owners can add an available 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Both transmissions were updated for 2012 to help increase fuel economy. The Soul comes equipped with a full range of airbags, including front, front seat-mounted side and full-length side-curtain airbags. Other standard safety features include electronic stability control, traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. In addition, the Soul features Hill-Start Assist Control, which holds the vehicle briefly on inclines when the driver moves his foot from the brake to the gas pedal.

The Kia Soul + compact crossover vehicle, which receives a mid-generation refresh for 2012, comes equipped with a number of features not found on the Base trim, including remote keyless entry, metal-finish trim, a center console with storage, a luggage under-floor tray and a leather-wrapped, tilt/telescopic steering wheel and shift knob with steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. In addition, the AM/FM audio system includes Bluetooth and separate tweeter speakers, as well as a CD/MP3 player, USB port and SiriusXM radio. The driver's seat features 6-way manual adjustment, while the rear seatback splits 60/40 and folds. Cloth upholstery, air conditioning, a dual-level glovebox and power windows and door locks are also included. The + also gets a few new optional features, including a 7-speaker, 350-watt Infinity audio system and a voice-activated infotainment system with a 4.3-inch color touchscreen and rear camera display.

Outside, the + displays an updated exterior design, highlighted by a redesigned hood and new front and rear bumpers, as well as new headlights, taillights and side mirrors. The + also receives new 16-inch alloy wheels and a new Moss exterior color, as well as power-adjustable heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Under the hood, Kia drops an updated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which now generates 164 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, up from 142 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with the 6-speed manual transmission, which comes standard, or the optional 6-speed automatic. Both transmissions were updated for 2012 to help increase fuel economy. Despite the increase in horsepower, the updated engine still manages good fuel economy numbers of 26/34 mpg with either transmission. The + includes a full range of airbags, as well as such standard safety features as electronic stability control, traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. In addition, the + features Hill-Start Assist Control, which holds the vehicle briefly on inclines when the driver moves his foot from the brake to the gas pedal.

The Kia Soul ! receives a number of new tech features for 2012, as well as an updated exterior design and a more fuel-efficient engine and transmission. New tech features include a voice-activated infotainment system with a 4.3-inch color touchscreen and rear camera display, and a new 7-speaker, 350-watt Infinity audio system with HD radio, SiriusXM, a USB port, separate tweeter speakers and a subwoofer. Unique sand-black cloth seats and sand-black interior trim with houndstooth inserts come standard. The driver's seat features 6-way manual adjustment, while the rear seatback splits 60/40 and folds. Other standard features for the ! include a power sunroof, a center console with storage, air conditioning, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks and a leather-wrapped, tilt/telescopic steering wheel and shift knob with steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Kia also offers a new optional Premium Package, which adds heated front seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, push-button start and a navigation system.

Power for the front-wheel-drive ! comes from an updated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which now generates 164 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 22 hp and 11 lb-ft over the previous year. Kia pairs the engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which was updated for 2012 to help increase fuel economy. Despite the increase in horsepower, the updated engine posts good fuel economy numbers of 26/34 mpg. Standard safety features include a full range of airbags as well as electronic stability control, traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. In addition, the ! features Hill-Start Assist Control, which holds the vehicle briefly on inclines when the driver moves his foot from the brake to the gas pedal. Outside, the ! displays an updated exterior design, with a redesigned hood and new front and rear bumpers, as well as new auto on/off headlights, LED taillights and power-adjustable heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The ! also receives a new Moss exterior color and rides on new 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2012 Kia Soul Red Rock Special Edition comes equipped with a number of trim-specific features, including brown cloth upholstery with black leather trim and a unique Canyon exterior color. Heated front seats, push-button start and automatic climate control are also included with the Red Rock Special Edition. High-tech features include a new voice-activated infotainment system with a 4.3-inch color touchscreen and rear camera display, and a new 7-speaker, 350-watt Infinity audio system with HD radio, SiriusXM, a USB port, separate tweeter speakers and a subwoofer. The driver's seat features 6-way manual adjustment, while the rear seatback splits 60/40 and folds. Other standard features include a center console with storage, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks and a leather-wrapped, tilt/telescopic steering wheel and shift knob with steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls.

For power, the Red Rock Special Edition receives an updated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which now generates 164 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. It links to a 6-speed automatic transmission, which was updated for 2012 to help improve fuel economy. The powerplant posts fuel economy numbers of 26/34 mpg. A full range of airbags comes standard, along with such safety features as electronic stability control, traction control and antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. In addition, the Red Rock features Hill-Start Assist Control, which holds the vehicle briefly on inclines when the driver moves his foot from the brake to the gas pedal. Outside, the Red Rock Special Edition displays a high-gloss black front fascia and mirror housings, as well as a redesigned hood, new front and rear bumpers, new auto on/off headlights, LED taillights and power-adjustable heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The Red Rock Special Edition rides on 18-inch alloy wheels.