The 2018 Kia Soul puts style ahead of safety features and turbo power.
Pros Looks sharp Good Uvo infotainment Turbo-4 power Versatile hatchback body Still a manual on the order sheet
Cons Engines can be noisy 6-speed automatic hunts through gears Mediocre gas mileage Top safety tech unavailable with turbo
The 2018 Kia Soul ranked #1 in Compact Cars. Currently the Kia Soul has a score of 9.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 45 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Comfortable, roomy cabin Considerable cargo space Upscale interior Energetic turbocharged engine available Outstanding warranty and predicted reliability rating
Cons Sluggish base engine Below-average gas mileage
Only a few changes were made to the Soul for 2018. The base Soul’s Convenience package now gets an upgraded UVO3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus automatic climate control. Midrange Soul Plus models now get the UVO3 system as standard.
Pros Funkiness on wheels, powerful and efficient turbo engine, comfortable cabin.
Cons Average cargo capacity, no all-wheel-drive option.
The 2020 Hyundai Venue is a subcompact crossover with big ideas.
Pros Spunky looks Flexible cargo space Hatchback practicality 8.0-inch touchscreen Automatic emergency braking is standard
Cons Is it too small? That grille, though Wild colors Stretching the definition of a crossover
The Hyundai Venue will be the Korean automaker's newest and smallest crossover when it goes on sale for the 2020 model year. The tiny ute will slot below the already subcompact Hyundai Kona. We expect the 2020 Hyundai Venue to be in dealerships before the end of 2019. The Venue will have few direct competitors—namely the Ford EcoSport and the Nissan Kicks. We expect the pint-sized Hyundai to have an equally diminutive stature. An 8.0-inch infotainment system will offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability as well as streaming audio and voice-controlled search functionality. Navigation with real-time traffic updates will be optional.
