5 Fab Reasons This is the Perfect Car for College Kids

Car College Kids
Move…Get Out the Way! The 2018 Kia Soul Turbo has an impressive 1.6L 4 cylinder engine under this cute hood! Photo: Kirstin N. Fuller

The 2018 Kia Soul Turbo Deserves Serious Consideration For College Kid Car Shopping!

First, let me say that the Kia Soul Turbo was so loved by my Godchildren that they cried when I told them we weren’t keeping it ?.  I had to drive them everywhere that week because they wanted to ride in this cool, fun car.

I must admit that I seriously enjoyed driving this cute, sporty fun little Kia Soul Turbo for the week.  Surprisingly, it was a very comfortable ride with great performance and more importantly, excellent gas mileage!  I was thoroughly impressed.

Here are 5 fabulous things we loved about the 2018 Kia Soul Turbo.

1.  First, let’s talk about the Kia Soul Turbo and its cute, stylish and sporty body design. 

The Car College Kids Really Want.
The 2018 Kia Soul Turbo is cute by design! Photo credit: Kirstin N. Fuller

The Kia Soul has always been a cute little ride since it’s debut.  The turbo model takes things up a notch with gorgeous and sporty details.  From the sporty 18-inch alloy rims to the red trim detail on the bottom of the doors, the Soul is sporty chic.

The Kia Soul has been dubbed the Energyize Bunny of cars!

Car College Kids Really Want!
Check out my 18″ sport rims! Photo credit: Kirstin N. Fuller

Other brand models in this class are too boxy but the Soul has a sleek, sporty and cute round body style!

2.  User-friendly Driver’s Cockpit Like the New Kia Stinger!

A good interior design in a car has an easily accessible, user-friendly driver’s control/cockpit area.  The Kia Soul Turbo definitely meets the challenge.  All of your radio controls are within reach and easy to use.  You also have easy access controls for audio, cruise control and Bluetooth on the sport-styled steering wheel.   The leather-wrapped steering wheel is borrowed straight from its sister vehicles, the Kia Optima Turbo & Kia Sportage and the all-new Kia Stinger.

This Is The Car The College Kids Really Want
Brilliant displays are the norm in the 2018 Kia Soul Turbo. Photo Credit: Kirstin N. Fuller

Peep the attention to detail on the Kia Soul Turbo.  The controls light up in red and the steering wheel has red stitching to match the red trim on the exterior.  Loves it!

3.  Awesome Audio System!

The Soul has a great audio system that’s perfect for blasting your favorite music while cruising around town.  The cute (everything’s cute in this car) speakers are perfectly placed to give you that surround sound experience.

A Car College Kids And Their Friends Will Love!
The 2018 Kia Soul Turbo has a great sound system with the cutest little boom speakers!

Not Your Grandma’s Turbo.

4.  Stretch Out in the Spacious Interior

Easy To Maintain Interior Makes This The Car College Kids Will Want!
Spacious front driver and passenger area! Photo Credit: Kirstin N. Fuller

The interior of the Soul can comfortably accommodate 4 maybe 5 adults.  The leather and cloth trim seats are super comfortable and easy to keep clean (even with kids lol).  If you take the Kia Soul Turbo on a long road trip, trust you’ll be comfortable during the entire ride.

Roomy Enough Car College Kids Will Love Driving.
Your passengers will also be comfy in the back seats! Photo Credit: Kirstin N. Fuller

5.  Cargo Space & Then Some!

In addition to the roomy passenger space, the Kia Soul Turbo also has a large and spacious cargo area that can hold your Saturday morning grocery store haul, the kids’ soccer equipment or luggage for the family road trip.  The Soul may be built for fun but it’s also functional and we love it!

Surprise Your College Kid With This Car
The 2018 Kia Soul Turbo has more than enough cargo space with privacy cover! Photo Credit: Kirstin N. Fuller

Who should buy the 2018 Kia Soul Turbo?

  • The college student driving back and forth to school with all their dorm room supplies.
  • The family that needs a second car with great gas mileage.
  • The college graduate looking for an affordable yet sporty and safe (check out the safety rating info below) first car.

Our Kia Soul Turbo didn’t have the technology package but if you want the tech package (that includes navigation with 8” display) and the heated (front & rear) seats & steering wheel combination add $3,000 to your model price

A quick note about performance.  The Kia Soul Turbo has a 1.6L turbo gas direct injection (GDI) 4 cylinder engine.  Don’t let the 4 cylinder engine fool you, the Kia Soul Turbo has spunky get up and go like its sister the new Kia Stinger!

Want even more power? Meet the Kia Stinger!

Before we go, here are some important numbers:

  • Price as tested $23,820.00
  • Fuel Economy: 30 highway/24 city /27 combined
  • Overall 5-star safety rating (5-star frontal & side crash rating; 4-star rollover rating)
  • 10 year/10,000 mile limited powertrain warranty & 5 year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty

With all this cuteness and functionality, the Kia Soul Turbo is the perfect crossover for college kids!

Disclosure:  Kia provided the Kia Soul Turbo for a week for this review.  Thanks very much to Kia for giving me cool God Mother points with the kids. 

Kirstin Fuller
Kirstin Fuller

Kirstin is a DC native currently living in Maryland. She loves all things travel including fab travel deals, gadgets and must have travel apps. Kirstin has written for several websites and was recently featured in Essence magazine as a travel expert and deal finder. Find more of Kirstin's work at www.Passenger156.com

Articles: 12