Kia has today unveiled the 2023 Soul, which will arrive in dealers later this summer.

The facelifted Soul comes with new design features inside and out, a new color palette, a simplified model range, and two option packages. It remains one of our favorite compact SUVs, and we dig the fact that Kia constantly updates it with new features.

Before introducing the Stinger and the EV6, the Soul was by far the boldest Kia design ever. The 2023 model will continue that tradition with its new front fascia. A new grille is set off with available LED headlights and redesigned fog lights on upper trim levels. You'll also notice new daytime running lights and turn signals. At the rear, there's a redesigned fascia and new taillight clusters.

New 17 and 18-inch alloys are joined by a host of solid colors, while Kia will offer two two-tone options: Clear White with a Fusion Black roof and Surf Blue with a Fusion Black roof.

Kia kept most of the interior design because it believes in preserving what works. The most notable change is the addition of a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated navigation. It's standard on all models apart from the base LX.

Kia has cut it down to just five: LX, S, EX, GT-Line, GT-Line Tech. The X-Line and Turbo have been dropped. That means one remaining powertrain, and it's not the punchy 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder.

For 2023, the Soul is powered solely by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder that produces 147 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 132 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Power is sent through the front wheels via a CVT transmission. The manual transmission was dropped from the range last year.

The LX Technology Package is available to make the entry-level model a bit grander. It adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 16-inch alloys. According to Kia, these are the most sought-after features.

The GT-Line Package adds a Harman Kardon sound system with speaker lights that pulse in time with the music, heated front seats, forward collision avoidance assist with junction turning capability, highway drive assist, navigation-based smart cruise control, an electronic parking brake, a power-adjustable driver's seat, LED headlights and taillights, a cargo cover, and a dual-level cargo floor.

Standard safety features across the range include forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist with lane following assist, driver attention warning, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear occupant alert.

Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle's on-sale date.