Hyundai and Kia, the South Korean siblings, are showcasing contrasting fortunes in the competitive US automotive market. While Hyundai modestly increased its sales by 1.2% in the first half of the year, reaching nearly 400,000 units, Kia experienced a decline from the previous year.
Despite this, both brands remain optimistic, with Hyundai riding on the momentum of its 1.2% sales growth and Kia focusing on its impressive EV performance and upcoming models like the refreshed Sorento and the all-new K4 sedan.
While Kia has recently revealed the 2025 Soul and a Soulmate special edition, the digital automotive design is already envisioning what a potential second facelift or even a fourth-generation model might look like.
A prominent example is the AutoYa info YouTube channel, where digital artists have crafted a speculative 2026 Kia Soul refresh. Their vision retains the model’s signature boxy profile but introduces a radical front fascia featuring bold lighting elements and a distinctive black accent that spans the vehicle’s width.
The interior also undergoes a futuristic transformation with a massive, merged display dominating the dashboard. It’s important to note that these renderings are purely conceptual and should be taken with a grain of salt as Kia has not confirmed any plans for a second Soul facelift or an entirely new generation at this time.
