I have a 2015 Kia Soul loaner car. AMA.

"mazda616" (mazda616)
02/16/2016 at 22:03 • Filed to: AMA

My wife’s 2013 CX-5 had a recall (not the fuel filler issue the 2014-2016s have). Apparently, some 2013s need a PCM update to prevent engine acceleration issues in cold weather. Ours never had the problem but we took it in anyway.

The dealer is 40 minutes away and we couldn’t get over there until after work (we both work 8-5). So, we headed there this evening, took a dealership loaner car back home, and we’ll pick our car up tomorrow.

This Soul is a 2015 fairly base model, with 7,500 miles. I rented a very similar then-new 2014 Soul in Washington D.C. in the summer of 2014, but it was fairly loaded.

Two things: this car is SLOW (it makes our CX-5 seem quick) and the slowness translates to it not being very fuel efficient (since I have to floor it to keep up with traffic). Averaged 19.7 MPG on the way home, although I was kind of in a hurry to get home, so I wasn’t easy on it. But, I don’t flog rental cars like most people, either.

Sylvia is less than enthused about her garage mate for tonight.

DISCUSSION (28)

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:05

That one’s got the 1.6, which is most likely why it’s so slow. The 2.0 is a good bit quicker.

boredalways > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:07

what’s with the “cars” poster on the wall?

mazda616 > boredalways
02/16/2016 at 22:12

My grandfather owned a used car lot from 1964 until his death in 2013. These signs were custom painted and hung on his shop there.

mazda616 > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
02/16/2016 at 22:13

The one I rented in D.C. must have been a 2.0 because I do not remember it being this slow.

EL_ULY > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:14

Have you taken the air box off to see how much louder it is yet?

mazda616 > EL_ULY
02/16/2016 at 22:15

No. What a novel idea, though.

1111111111111111111111 > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:15

I’ve got the original Soul. Base 1.6. I have to say its been nothing but awesome so far. It’s got 60k miles and no issues. You can get some sweet 3 wheel action too.

And mine is manual.

mazda616 > 1111111111111111111111
02/16/2016 at 22:18

I’d imagine a manual would make all the difference in this car. This one’s an automatic, obviously. But it really revs before shifting (I was accelerating the same as I do in the CX-5 and the Soul would regularly go up to 5k rpm).

garagemonkee > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:21

Are you, or have you ever been, a hamster

Steve in Manhattan > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:22

Is it as well screwed together as Toyota/Honda/Hyundai?

mazda616 > garagemonkee
02/16/2016 at 22:23

Perhaps in a former life? I do enjoy stashing away copious amounts of food.

mazda616 > Steve in Manhattan
02/16/2016 at 22:23

Feels very cheap to me. But, no cheaper than a similar base model Corolla

PatBateman > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:25

Sweet jumps?

FromCanadaWithLove > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:27

How does it smell?

Dusty Ventures > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:28

Souls make for great recce cars

mazda616 > FromCanadaWithLove
02/16/2016 at 22:30

Like old people. I suppose the previous renters were oldsters.

mazda616 > PatBateman
02/16/2016 at 22:30

More novel ideas!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:31

Pretty much all rental fleets order bare bones Plus Models with the 2.0. The way to differentiate them from the loaner you have is the 17 inch wheels, versus the 16's on yours.

Funktheduck > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:32

My 3 had the same recall. Had it done yesterday while I got my oil changed.

boredalways > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:34

Cool. My late grandfather and my dad owned a tire & repair shop for about 20 odd years. Part of that time overlapped my childhood. To this day, I love the smell of new tires.

1111111111111111111111 > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 22:38

I absolutely hate the work cars. Usually 6 or 8 cylinder automatics. I press the gas and they rev to 5+k with a few clunks and jerks or shift when in a corner. It’s not smooth. The transmission makes all the difference.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 23:05

Drove a 2012 6-speed. Was actually saying to myself, “Not bad.”

But I hear the CVT is a dog.

gmctavish needs more space > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 23:05

Is there any steering feel? I drove a 2021 or 2013 once and it didn't feel like the wheel was connected to anything at all, I hated it.

Khalbali > mazda616
02/16/2016 at 23:53

It’s actually all 2013 Cx-5's and 2014+ 3's and CX-5's with the 2.0 skyactiv. Not sure why the 2012-2013 3's are unaffected.

pip bip - choose Corrour > mazda616
02/17/2016 at 02:49

how well does it hoon?

mazda616 > pip bip - choose Corrour
02/17/2016 at 08:35

Not very well, I'd assume. It's a low power box on wheels. And the steering feel is kind of nonexistent.

mazda616 > gmctavish needs more space
02/17/2016 at 08:36

You're correct. It's pretty much numb.

gmctavish needs more space > mazda616
02/17/2016 at 21:37

How lovely