Easy to spot: Exclaim models have the front mask the same color like the body of the car and also have fog lights. The other models have the mask black.
My exclaim also has a sun-roof (wonder why some call it a moon-roof?). And heated leather seats.
See my Exclaim in Wiki (left side):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Soul#Special_Editions

 

Use a VIN number decoder. Be sure to scroll down the whole page as they give you alot of free info on your vehicle.

https://www.searchquarry.com/vin-decoder/

 

surprised that if you knew that much detail about the 2.0L coming with a timing chain in 2012 (the 1.6L always had it) and didn't know about the rest of your specific model.

That was one of the main reasons I waited for my 2012 that I used to own.

 

Yeah, there's only a few details that I really was concerned about, the moonroof not being one of them. But I did my homework about the timing chain thing. I was actually trying to find a low-mileage 1.6L 2012 in automatic to keep the price down, it seemed pretty rare as I couldn't fine one except with manual transmission, but I'm happy with the added pep of the 2.0L.

Btw my wife just got home and I checked the engine cover and has the hole for the oil dipstick and fill. However, it didn't have GDI stamped on it, just DOHC 16V, so you're saying GDI would have been stamped on the cover for the 2013 1.6L only?

 

easiest way - if your engine cover has the dipstick open circle through it, then its the 2.0L. A 1.6L does not have it as the engine dipstick is in front of the engine cover and in 2013 it would have GDI stamped on the cover. The 1.6L was available in manual or auto both six-speed (both introduced with the 2012 model). In 2012 the Plus and Exclaim models got a new engine called the Nu series which is still in use with the 2018 models. It became a GDI version in with 2014 with the intro of the 2nd generation.

As for the specific model - Plus or Exclaim (which are the models with the 2.0L engine), if it does not have a sunroof then its not the Exclaim model as that was a standard feature of the Exclaim model in 2013, optional on the Plus model. So you need to change your drive info. Also the Exclaim came with sand-black cloth seats with houndstooth inserts.

 

Does this go for the 2014 Kia Soul also? I have dipstick infront of engine?