Rental Car Roulette 

"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly) 12/17/2018 at 18:19 • Filed to: Rental Car Review, Kia Soul

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I flew north last weekend to visit my parents in New England and played rental car roulette, ending up with a Kia Soul. After putting 370 miles on the car over the weekend in varied conditions, I have observations and opinions to share.

I was in northwest Connecticut, a beautiful area of steep hills, river valleys, covered bridges and waterfalls - and not much else . The roads in general are very winding , with speed limits of 45 mph at most typically. I really wish that I had a proper sporty car, but I probably would have gotten into trouble if I had one. And scared my parents.

I took interstate highway from the airport, and found the car to have steering that was overboosted for my preferences, with a vague on-center in those conditions. The suspension loudly communicated the bumps on the highway and the back roads, and overall was a bit rough, although at least the trade-off was that it cornered fairly well once I got to the more remote areas .

It had auto climate control, very good visibility, and good use of interior space. The seating space was comparable to my mother’s CR-V, although a bit lower. The trunk space was much shorter by comparison, and we had to drop one rear seat and put my father’s walker on it’s side, while in the CR-V it could lay flat in the trunk.

The trunk did have a cleverly foldable cargo cover, so there was that. The driver’s seat was pretty comfortable, although I missed more lumbar support (maybe that is available on higher trims). The engine had decent power, although it struggled up the steepest mini-mountains. It did return great fuel economy, somewhere over 32 miles per gallon.

Overall, it worked out to be a good ride, fitting in my parents and my father’s gear, and thus allowing me to drive them around all weekend. Would I want one for myself? Not if I could help it, but I could see it working for a next car for my parents, particularly because it seems to sell for as little at $16,000 new with a good warranty.

So, I’d say that I dodged a bullet and got a decent rental - certainly better than the frustrating Dodge Journey that I got last time I was there.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2018 at 18:34

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I’m assuming this is using the automatic. Apparently these are pretty fun cars with a stick.

Nibby > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2018 at 18:38

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HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2018 at 18:49

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Had one as a rental in NC back in June. meh car is meh. 

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2018 at 18:53

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It’s unavoidable that a car with a short wheelbase and light weight will ride a bit choppy. This is especially true for the rear seat, because IIRC most of this class of cars use torsion beams in the rear.

But the nice thing is that they usually have more playful handling than larger cars for the exact same reasons, plus the tall-hatchback format is optimal for hauling people in comfort.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Nibby 12/17/2018 at 19:19

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??

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > winterlegacy, here 'till the end 12/17/2018 at 19:22

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It was an automatic, yes. It was fairly fun in the corners once I adapted to the steering, although I couldn't really test the limits being unfamiliar with the roads and usually having passengers.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2018 at 21:51

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somebody went to kent falls

facw > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/17/2018 at 22:34

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That’s Monika from Doki Doki Literature Club! (note: they are not kidding with this disclaimer)

I have no idea why she’s here though. 

Forrest > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/18/2018 at 01:44

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I hooned a  rented Kia Soul around Connecticut last winter. Good times.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/18/2018 at 07:27

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Clearly need to get the V6 Journey.

If you think the soul has decent power, the V6 Journey will make you wet yourself.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 12/18/2018 at 08:20

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After that one experience I don’t ever really want to drive a Journey again, even with more power.

I’m not saying the Soul had notable power, I’m just saying that it could get out of it’s own way. I am very happy to be back in my GTI, that’s for sure.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 12/18/2018 at 08:22

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For about 5 seconds to get a scenic backdrop. It’s a nice climb up, but better in warmer weather and I was in CT to see my parents, not to hike. Good identification .

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/18/2018 at 08:35

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was it the face- lift model or the older one? The interior did get a lot better in 2011 or 12. 

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/18/2018 at 08:53

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This would have been in 2017 that I had the Journey , so presumably post-facelift? I can’t even remember my critique . . . wait, did I write it up for Oppo? No, it looks like I did not (wish I could search just my posts and comments for key words).

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 12/18/2018 at 10:04

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The later Journeys are very nice inside in the upper trims and the Pentastar V6 makes them quite quick.

IMO basing your opinion on the Journey off the rental spec doesn’t do it justice. The upper spec V6 is lightyears better than the rental spec 4 cyl in terms of refinement, power, handling, ride quality, interior quality, etc.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 12/18/2018 at 10:30

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Fair points.