The Kia Soul Is Dead. Here Is How The Internet Is Taking It

The Kia Soul was neither 1 of nan fastest nor astir breathtaking cars connected nan roads successful caller years, but it surely was 1 of nan astir affordable. Dependable cheap cars are worthy celebrating, particularly inexpensive cars which aren't wholly devoid of character, and — emotion it aliases dislike it — the Soul surely had character. So, now that its time successful nan sun is over, we wanted to spot really folks were reacting to nan news. Is it clip for nan Soul to go, are group sad, aliases do they attraction astatine all?

In summation to seeking retired comments and remarks from Soul enthusiasts, we thought it worthwhile to spot really much notable figures successful nan automotive organization were taking nan news. Doug DeMuro felt nan Soul's demise important capable to talk on This Car Pod!, wherever he highlights really nan Kia Soul was erstwhile nan best-selling exemplary from wrong nan Korean automaker's lineup. That a quirky box-shaped compact performed truthful powerfully mightiness astonishment some, but it's wholly true.

In fact, complete 16 years successful production, much than 1.5 cardinal units of nan Soul person been sold successful North America alone. Doug besides observed really nan demise of nan Soul represents a displacement successful Kia's direction. For galore years, Kia arsenic a marque was associated pinch inexpensive and cheerful offerings, but nan marque has since grown into a much superior automaker, pinch a smattering of well-developed SUVs, for illustration nan Sportage and Telluride, nan second of which we drove and reviewed conscionable past year. These later releases are nary longer presented arsenic budget-friendly alternatives to models from much established brands, but arsenic genuine rivals.

Doug DeMuro wasn't precisely upset that nan Soul is gone, but he did admit nan important portion it played successful shaping and securing Kia's existent position successful nan market. There are others who find nan news a small harder to bear, specified arsenic members of nan Kia Soul Owners group connected Facebook. Several users expressed really sad they were to spot it go, while galore simply took nan opportunity to definitive really wonderfully reliable and businesslike their Souls had been.

Similarly, immoderate fans took to Reddit to definitive their sadness and disappointment, while besides searching for a logic why. One expressed that Kia nary longer produces a conveyance that fits their needs. While nan Seltos is similar, it sports an MSRP complete $4,000 higher, returns less MPG, and — successful their eyes astatine slightest — brings thing other to nan party. Last year, Consumer Reports compiled a study of nan slightest satisfying cars to own, and nan Seltos was up location arsenic 1 of nan worst, pinch only 45% of owners consenting to make nan acquisition again. In contrast, owners of nan Soul person ever seemed to conscionable autumn successful emotion pinch it.

YouTuber Christopher Pearce, who reports connected snippets of automotive news, seemed pleased to spot nan Soul discontinued. He acknowledged nan value of nan exemplary successful Kia's history, but besides recognized nan Soul's diminution successful income and relevance while remembering its divisive looks. This is apt to beryllium nan outlook shared by astir extracurricular of proprietor and enthusiast circles. It was a awesome car, but times are changing — it's amended to spell retired a leader than to overstay your welcome.