2014 Kia Forte Koup Sx on 2040-cars

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2015 Kia Soul EV

You'd be forgiven if you weren't fully aware of this vehicle's existence. While the Soul EV is a big deal for Kia, as it marks the Korean brand's first foray into the world of pure electric vehicles here in the US, it simply has not a been able to garner much regard from the average car fan or, really, the automotive press.
As a green car, it has to be tough to compete with Elon Musk's remarkable ability to consistently hold our attention with nearly everything he touches at Tesla. Add that to the fact that the Soul EV doesn't offer a ton in the way of aesthetics to differentiate itself from its gasoline-powered sibling - save a few tweaks here and there - and its limited initial availability (CA only for now), and you end up with a vehicle that just isn't on a lot of people's radar. And that's too bad.
You see, none of the above is meant to imply that this is a bad car. In fact, as you read through our driving notes, you'll see that the reality is actually the opposite: Kia has a genuinely solid product on its hands.

Editors’ Picks January 2023 | Acura Integra, the new CR-V and more

A new year means another long year of testing and evaluating new metal coming from the automotive industry — we know, tough job, right? It also means another year of new cars making it to our EditorsÂ’ Picks status, and weÂ’re starting out January with a bang. In total, eight new vehicles were EditorsÂ’ Picks this month, including some brand-new models like the redesigned Honda CR-V, Cadillac Lyriq and the ever-controversial Acura Integra. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, hereÂ’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get an EditorsÂ’ Pick designation. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in January that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2023 Honda CR-V 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring front three quarter View 22 Photos Quick take: An all-around winner, the Honda CR-V is spacious, features easily used technology and looks better than ever. We recommend the efficient hybrid model, but the standard powertrain is a solid option, too. Score: 9.0. What it competes with: Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Nissan Rogue, VW Tiguan, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Outlander Pros: Clean styling; massive interior; efficient engine options; solid infotainment system; many standard safety features. Cons: No base trim levels; lack of specialty options such as plug-in hybrid and off-road models. From the editors: News Editor Joel Stocksdale — "The CR-V is just really good in a lot of ways that really matter. It's enormous inside. It has a clean, stylish exterior and interior. It's solidly equipped. The base engine is pretty underwhelming, but that's rectified with the more powerful, more refined and more efficient hybrid. It simply doesn't do anything badly." Senior Editor James Riswick — "The 2023 Honda CR-V is at its best as the hybrid. While the turbo base engine carries over virtually unchanged, the hybrid is new for 2023. To put it simply, itÂ’s just better to drive. Honda engineers managed to simulate shifts when the gas engine kicks on, providing a more natural driving experience and eliminating the blender-like droning of the outgoing car.

2021 Kia Sorento unveiled with new look, more tech, and two hybrid options

We've seen the all-new, fourth-generation 2021 Kia Sorento before, as Kia unveiled it online earlier in 2020, but this is our first glimpse at the American-spec model and with that glimpse comes a full set of details. Included is a longer list of technology features, more all-terrain capability, and an available plug-in hybrid powertrain. While the American market version looks a lot like the variant that will be sold in global markets, the range will include an outdoorsy equipment package named X-Line, offered as the AWD version of SX Prestige model, which adds an inch of ground clearance, specific 20-inch alloy wheels, a bridge-type roof rack, and a handful of rugged-looking exterior accents. It also brings a center locking differential and electronic hill descent control. While it won't be giving a Jeep Grand Cherokee fits, it sounds like it will be more capable over rough terrain than your average family crossover. Besides the X-Line's extra ground clearance (a decent 8.3 inches), every 2021 Sorento gains 1.4 inches of wheelbase. Total length remains the same, though, and third-row legroom has actually gone down by 2 inches. As such, the Sorento maintains its unusual in-betweener position: it's bigger and has more seats than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, but it isn't as spacious or cumbersome as bigger three-row crossovers. This positioning makes even more sense now that Kia sells the Telluride. The 2021 Sorento comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and six USB charging ports. Buyers willing and able to move up the trim hierarchy and tick a few boxes on the list of options unlock a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, eight USB ports, a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, cloud-based navigation, plus multi-connection Bluetooth technology that lets the passengers simultaneously connect two phones. Owners can also use an Amazon Alexa- or Google Assistant-enabled smart speaker to remotely start the engine, among other functions.  The 2021 Sorento range will ultimately include four powertrains. Entry-level models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 191 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. The upgrade engine option is now a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter making 281 horsepower and a stout 311 pound-feet of torque. The old Sorento's V6 is no more. Front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission come standard on both, and all-wheel drive is offered at an extra cost.