With a starting price of $21,490, the 2020 Kia Soul X-Line makes a great choice for those who want a basic Kia Soul with a little more character. It’s also a compelling choice against the Toyota C-HR. They’re about equal on performance, although Kia also builds the more powerful 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line as well.
Neither car offers any form of all-wheel drive here in the United States, despite looking like it. Overseas, the C-HR is available with all-wheel drive. In a sense, then, they’re more like lifted hatchbacks than out-and-out crossovers.
2020 Kia Soul X-Line Specs
- Length: 165.2”
- Width: 70.9”
- Height: 63.0”
- Wheelbase: 102.4”
- Cargo capacity (behind the rear seat): 23.8 cu.-ft. [+ 5.0 cu. ft. over the previous model]
- Ride height: 6.7″
- 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder 147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft. of torque
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) – a six-speed manual transmission is optional on the non-X-Line base model.
- 27 mpg city, 33 highway and 30 mpg combined. (vehicles equipped with Eco Driving Mode will get better mpg numbers)
On top of the new platform, the X-Line trim package gives you:
Rugged body kit that includes:
- Body cladding
- Overfenders for chunkier look
- Off-road-inspired accents
- Unique 18-inch alloy wheels
- Roof rail inspired accents
- Optional two-tone paint
/sep
How does it compare to the Toyota C-HR?
There are three trim levels for the 2019 Toyota C-HR. Starting from the LE, there’s also the XLE and Limited. The base model 2019 Toyota C-HR starts at $20,995. All Toyota C-HRs now come standard with Toyota Safety Sense.
2019 Toyota C-HR Specs
- Length: 171.2″
- Width: 70.7”
- Height: 61.6”
- Wheelbase: 103.9”
- Cargo capacity (behind the rear seat): 19 cu.-ft.
- Ride Height: 5.9″
- 2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder 144 hp and 139 lb.-ft of torque
- A CVT
- 27 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined
Driving Impressions
While the Toyota C-HR’s curb weight hovers around 3,300 lbs, the 2020 Kia Soul is about 300 pounds lighter. Still, the Toyota doesn’t feel heavy in the corners — just when you’re accelerating.
There’s more to the Toyota: Without a doubt, the Toyota C-HR’s best feature is its handling. It has a sport-tuned four-wheel independent suspension setup that’s downright fun to exploit. Steering feel and steering weight are superior to most of the Kia line and the only way to out-pace the C-HR is with the turbocharged 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line.
Both vehicles have CVTs that mimic the feel of an automatic transmission. Basically, they pause a bit giving the feel of a car changing gears. It works a bit better on the Soul, but both vehicles still drone a bit when accelerating. Still, it’s only noticeable when the driver’s a bit aggressive.
Despite the handling capabilities, the 2020 Kia Soul X-Line is a better car for the day-to-day driver. They built something special that, while not perfect, is something fun. For me, if a car is fun AND utilitarian. It’s a gem.
