2010 Kia Forte on 2040-cars

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With more power and better mpg, the 2017 Kia Soul Exclaim is one to get.

We got our first look of the turbocharged Kia Soul just over a month ago at the Paris Motor Show in the form of the Soul SX. Because it was the Euro-spec model, we couldn't be sure just how much of it would change for the American market. But now it's abundantly clear that the US-spec Soul Exclaim is the very same car. The understated body modifications, the 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, and the upgraded interior all make the trip to the States. We do learn a few more details now that the American model has been unveiled. One of the most surprising ones is the gas mileage. Although the Soul Exclaim is by far the most powerful trim in the range, it also yields the best fuel economy. The combined city and highway rating is 28 mpg, which tops the second-highest rated Soul Plus by 1 mpg overall. For reference, the Soul Plus is only offered with a 2.0-liter, 161-horsepower, naturally aspirated four-cylinder and a 6-speed automatic. The 130-horsepower naturally aspirated entry-level Soul only gets 26 mpg, regardless of whether it's equipped with a manual or automatic. This does bring us to a disappointing tidbit about the Kia Soul Exclaim. It's only available with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. A spokesperson from Kia told us that the reason for this was to improve fuel economy and get the most performance out of the car. He also mentioned that the take rate for manual transmissions is very low. While we understand the reasoning, we still hoped it would be offered with a clutch pedal, especially since the engine is shared with the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and the Elantra Sport, both of which are available with 6-speed manuals. However, if you don't have to row your own gears, the Soul Exclaim is by far the model to get. It goes the fastest, is the most efficient, looks the best, and has the nicest interior, complete with a 315-watt stereo with subwoofer. Kia hasn't revealed pricing yet, but it's safe to say it will be the most expensive Soul, too. But if you want a Soul and have the means, this is the obvious choice. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Autoblog Podcast #344

Doug DeMuro from Plays With Cars, Infiniti Q50, Subaru BRZ STI, Porsche Macan
Episode #344 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth and Executive Editor Chris Paukert are joined by Doug DeMuro, author of Plays With Cars and prolific internet autowriting presence. Topics include the latest spy shots of the Porsche Macan, the 2014 Infiniti Q50, and the teaser images we've recently seen of a Subaru BRZ wearing STI badges. As always, we start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #344:

2016 Kia Sorento First Drive

Teenagers are awkward, predictably provocative and generally horrible to be around – at least unless you, yourself are one. There's just something about those angst-ridden years spent trying on identities, none fitting quite right. Luckily for Kia, the automaker has just celebrated its 20th birthday in America, and fresh out of the driver's seat of its 2016 Sorento – dare we say it – we sense a touch of self-assured maturity. Don't worry; we expect the automaker's antics – including super-freak athletes jumping over an Optima at the NBA All-Star game and the employment of urban hamsters – to continue. Thankfully, offering unremarkable vehicles in pretty competitive segments seems officially a thing of Kia's history e-book. To be fair, we've seen a pleasing Korean Renaissance for a few years now, and we're not just talking hot pots and bulgogi – 2015 Hyundai Genesis, anyone? Kia Optima SX? Soul? So where exactly does this third-gen 2016 Sorento fit in? Actually, we're not sure Kia knows that either; its product planners tell us that this miraculous crossover competes with variously sized vehicles including the compact Jeep Cherokee, markedly larger Grand Cherokee, and even the family-hauling three-row Toyota Highlander. But Kia is also not completely off its rocker, because the Sorento suffers (benefits?) from severe bipolar disorder in terms of pricing. While you can get a base L model for $25,795 after delivery – there are five trim levels including L, LX, EX, SX, and top-of-the-line SXL – the fancy SXL 2.0T with all-wheel drive we tested was priced at $45,305. That's a difference of almost $20k, with the latter model reaches a completely different, almost premium demographic. And there's more. Sometimes the Sorento seats five, other times it can party hard with seven. There are three very different engine flavors to choose from: a carryover 2.4-liter four-cylinder will greet entry-level buyers with 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. A meatier V6 – good for 290 hp and 252 lb-ft – will come on three-row models only, while the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four option, good for 240 horses and 260 lb-ft comes on two-row models exclusively. Kia will offer all-wheel drive on all Sorento models.