Kia Soul Surf Trip Review: Real-World Test from San Diego Travelers
When Kia offered us the opportunity to test drive the new Kia Soul, we eagerly accepted. As frequent travelers planning to buy a car next year, we're evaluating options carefully.
Though we travel extensively, our home base in San Diego relies heavily on personal vehicles due to limited public transit. A reliable car is essential.
With 226,000 miles and counting, Scott's Honda Civic has served us well, but it's time for an upgrade.
Our key requirements for a new car:
- Excellent fuel efficiency for road trips
- Space for at least two surfboards
- Superior comfort
- Top safety ratings
- Strong environmental performance
To test the Kia Soul, we loaded it with surf gear and hit the road for a beach adventure!
Fuel Efficiency
The Kia Soul delivers 34 MPG on the highway and 26 MPG in the city—better than our Toyota 4Runner but slightly behind Scott's Civic. For its size and power, this is impressive and avoids the premium cost of a hybrid.
Surf Trip Suitability
We tested with a 9-foot longboard and a 5'11" fish: Both fit, but only one upfront passenger. For longer trips, we prefer both in front.
Switching to two shortboards allowed comfortable front seating with some adjustment. The under-floor storage tray is ideal for luggage, leaving ample surfboard space.
Comfort
The Soul excels here—I nearly forgot my 4Runner! Supportive seats and adjustable steering suit long drives, especially post-accident for me.
Connect your iPod, iPhone, or device via USB for radio control. Bluetooth enables hands-free calls. Key features:
- Cruise control
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Trip computer
- Steering wheel audio controls
Safety
The rearview camera with distance guide is a standout for reversing. Advanced traction control ensures smooth cornering, rivaling smaller cars—easier than our 4Runner.
Additional features:
- Dual front advanced airbags
- Front seat-mounted side airbags
- Full-length side curtain airbags
- Electronic stability control
- Hill-start assist control
Environmental Performance
The Soul scores 8/10 for global warming (above average of 5/10) and 5/10 for smog (average).
Final Verdict
We're still deciding between options to replace the Civic. The Kia Soul is a strong contender.
What do you think of the Kia Soul's design? Share your thoughts!
Disclosure: Kia loaned us the Soul for this review. No other compensation was provided. Opinions are our own, based on hands-on experience.
