Greetings.

I am curious if anyone has heard any info on a possible upgrade to the engine and or transmission options for the 2012 xB in order to compete with the increased power and fuel economy that the 2011 ==> 2012 Kia Soul received?

Power and mileage for the Kia Souls across the board with all engines and transmission options have gotten around a 15% increase.

Since the xB competes directly with the Soul, curious if anyone has any info.

 

Nope, but given the xB2 was refreshed for the 2011, and I expect it's the 2012 model year right now, I wouldn't expect the 2AR-FE and associated transaxles to drop in before the 2013 model year at earliest.

 

this what im thinknig too. there seems to be a 3 year run then a reboot. so we will ether see a reboot in 2013 of the xb or it will no longer be made.

on a side note:
Auto
a 2011 xb with the 2.4l (2az-fe) gets 22 city 28 hwy and combined 24mpg
a 2011 tc with the new 2.5l (2ar-fe) gets 23 city 31 hwy and combined 26mpg
the 2011 xb weighs a little more than the tc so even with the new 2ar-fe motor the mpg probly stays the same. but a added avg 20-30Whp.

 

Well, if they hold to three years, then we're looking at 2014 (2011, 2012, 2013) for the next refresh and the 2AR-FE.