Kia Soul Model Review
The Kia Soul is a compact crossover with affordable pricing and boxy styling that gives it a functional, somewhat quirky appeal. The current Soul was redesigned for the 2020 model year, with recent models costing between $11,459 and $19,000.
Kia Soul Pros
- Seating is spacious
- Lots of room for cargo
- High marks for safety
Kia Soul Cons
- No all-wheel drive
- Interior materials are cheaper quality
- Boxy shape creates extra wind noise
Is the Kia Soul an SUV?
The Kia Soul is a 5-passenger crossover with unique styling that’s tough to classify. Although it has the same upright look of an SUV, its smaller size puts it firmly in the ranks of crossovers.
Is the Kia Soul AWD?
No. The Kia Soul does not have all-wheel drive. It is strictly front-wheel drive and has been since its introduction for the 2010 model year. Although it handles well in poor weather conditions, it’s not great in deep snow nor is it intended for rugged off-road adventures.
Where is the Kia Soul Made?
Kia has factories in the United States, Mexico, and South Korea, where the company is based. As you’d expect, most of its vehicles are made in its home factory in South Korea, including the Kia Soul.
How Much Can a Kia Soul Tow?
Unfortunately, the Kia Soul is not rated to tow. The good news is that it has a spacious interior that holds lots of cargo. The wide tailgate opening accommodates bulky items and there is an available roof rack for stowing additional cargo.
Current Kia Soul – 2020-Present:
The full redesign of the 2020 Kia Soul included the introduction of GT-Line an X-Line models for a total of six trims, plus a new 2.0-liter engine, an available 10.25-inch infotainment system, and a head-up display. It also marked the discontinuation of the Soul EV.
The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower that gets 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The base LX has the option for a six-speed manual that drops fuel economy to 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. There’s also a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Its fuel economy is 27 city mpg and 32 mpg highway, so there’s only a small sacrifice in fuel economy for the improved performance.
The new Kia Soul lineup starts with the LX, which has 16-inch steel wheels, cloth and knit seats, a 6-way manual driver’s seat, a 7-inch color infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The S adds 16-inch alloy wheels, body-color outside mirrors and door handles, premium cloth seats, cruise control, and remote keyless entry. It also adds forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, lane change assist, driver attention warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.
The X-Line drops forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, and premium cloth seats, but adds unique 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, silver outside mirrors that are power-adjustable, roof rails, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The EX has 17-inch wheels, projector headlights, LED positioning lights, heated side mirrors, rear center armrest with cupholders, dual level cargo board, and cargo cover. Interior upgrades include premium cloth seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation. It also gains back the advanced drive-assist/technology features found in the S.
The GT-Line 2.0L has 18-inch wheels, multi-focus reflector headlights, positioning lights, gloss-black side mirrors, and unique bumpers and fascias for a sportier appearance, including red accents on the side sills. It drops back down to the 6-way manual driver’s seat and 7-inch infotainment touchscreen without navigation. The GT-Line 1.6T sits at the top of the range with LED headlights, LED fog lights, chrome-tipped center exhaust, sunroof with power sunshade, leatherette and cloth seats, 10-way power driver’s seat, and heated steering wheel. The 10.25-inch infotainment screen returns along with a Harman Kardon Premium Audio system with speaker lights. A head-up display, smart cruise control, and forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection are also standard. Shop for the 2020-current Kia Soul
2020-Current Kia Soul Trim Levels:
- LX (Base): 16-inch steel wheels, cloth and knit seats, 6-way manual driver’s seat, 7-inch color infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, 147 hp, continuously variable automatic transmission, 30 mpg combined, six-speed manual, 27 mpg combined
- S: 16-inch alloy wheels, body-color outside mirrors and door handles, premium cloth seats, cruise control, remote keyless entry, forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, lane change assist, driver attention warning, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, no manual transmission option
- X-Line: removes forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, and premium cloth seats, adds unique 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, power-adjustable silver outside mirrors, roof rails, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- EX: adds 17-inch wheels, projector headlights, LED positioning lights, heated side mirrors, rear center armrest with cupholders, dual-level cargo board, cargo cover, premium cloth seats, 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, navigation and all safety features found on S
- GT-Line 2.0L: adds 18-inch wheels, multi-focus reflector headlights, positioning lights, gloss-black side mirrors, unique bumpers and fascias, red side sill accents, 6-way manual driver’s seat, 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
- GT-Line 1.6T: LED headlights, LED fog lights, chrome-tipped center exhaust, sunroof with power sunshade, leatherette and cloth seats, 10-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, 10.25-inch infotainment screen with navigation, Harman Kardon Premium Audio system, speaker lights, head-up display, smart cruise control, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection
Running Changes to the 2020-Current Kia Soul
- 2020: Full redesign with the introduction of GT-Line and X-Line trims, a new 2.0-liter engine, an available 10.25-inch infotainment system and head-up display, and the discontinuation of the Soul EV
- 2021: Standard rear occupant alert, GT-Line 1.6T renamed to Soul Turbo
Kia Soul - 2014-2019:
A full redesign of the Kia Soul took its styling cues from the rugged Track’ster concept. It also received improvements to the suspension system for a smoother ride and more room for both passengers and cargo.
The powertrain for the base Soul was a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 130 horsepower paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. It delivered 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The Soul Plus and Soul! (exclaim) were available only with a six-speed automatic and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This provided 164 horsepower with 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
The base Soul included heated outside mirrors, telescoping steering wheel, six-speaker audio, wireless Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM with a three-month complimentary subscription, USB/AUX ports, and 16-inch wheels. The Soul+ added 17-inch alloy wheels, side mirror turn signal indicators, and unique fender trim. It also added an available rear camera and rear seat center armrest. The Soul! added 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, projector headlights, front LED positioning lights, and power-folding side mirrors. It also had a cooled glovebox, rearview camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 10-way power driver’s seat. Shop for the 2014-2019 Kia Soul
2014-2019 Kia Soul Trim Levels:
- Soul (Base): 16-inch wheels, wireless Bluetooth, six-speaker audio, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 130 hp, six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
- Soul+: 17-inch alloy wheels, side mirror turn signals, unique fender trims
- Soul!: 18-inch wheels, fog lights, projector headlights, front LED positioning lights, power-folding side mirrors, cooled glovebox, rearview camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 10-way power driver’s seat
Running Changes to the 2014-2019 Kia Soul
2014: Full redesign with more fuel-efficient powertrains, upgraded interior materials, and increased space for cargo and people
2015: UVO eservices package for Soul base, introduction of all-new Soul EV with 109 hp, 105 MPGe combined, and 93 miles of range
2016: Standard alloy wheels on all trims, Base added new Convenience Package with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Soul+ added new bumpers, integrated rear camera display, and style packages, Soul! added standard leather-trimmed seats and upgrade packages, Soul EV added nozzle locking function and new EV-e trim for California only
2017: Base added drive mode select, new 16-inch alloy wheels, Soul+ added new 17-inch wheels, automatic A/C, and optional Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8-way power driver’s seat, Soul! added new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 201 hp, 26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, Soul EV added new dark gray 16-inch wheel covers and rear center armrest, standard rear-camera display, and faster charging
2018: Base added automatic climate control, available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Soul+ added available automatic emergency braking, Soul EV range increases to 111 miles
2019: Standard five-inch touchscreen, rear camera display, and voice recognition
Kia Soul 2010-2013:
The 2010 Kia Soul marked this crossover’s debut after being unveiled at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Soul combined functional cargo space with creative exterior styling, becoming one of Kia’s best sellers. A choice of two four-cylinder powertrains included a 1.6-liter with 122 horsepower or a 2.0-liter with 142 horsepower. The base engine was available only with a five-speed manual transmission and delivered 26 mpg city and 31 highway mpg. The more powerful 2.0-liter was offered with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission and was standard on all but the base Soul. It delivered 24 mpg city and 30 highway mpg with both transmissions.
The base Kia Soul had a chrome-accented grille, auto-off headlamps, solar glass, black exterior accents, variable intermittent windshield wipers, and 15-inch steel wheels. The Soul+ added keyless remote entry, privacy glass on the rear and side rear windows, power side mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels. It also added the option for fog lamps and a power sunroof. The Soul! (exclaim) made the power sunroof and fog lamps standard and added 18-inch alloy wheels. The Soul sport added side sills, a rear spoiler, and unique front and rear fascias. Shop for the 2010-2013 Kia Soul
2010-2013 Kia Soul Trim Levels:
- Soul (Base): auto-off headlamps, intermittent windshield wipers, 15-inch steel wheels, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 122 hp, five-speed manual transmission, 26 mpg city, 31 mpg highway
- Soul+: 16-inch steel wheels, keyless remote entry, privacy glass, power side mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, standard 142-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, optional four-speed automatic transmission, 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
- Soul!: power sunroof, fog lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels
- Soul sport: side sills, rear spoiler, unique front and rear fascias
Running Changes to the 2010-2013 Kia Soul
- 2010: Model introduction as a compact utility vehicle
- 2011: Upgraded interior materials
- 2012: A refresh this model year included the discontinuation of the Soul sport, a revised exterior design, optional navigation, LED lighting, and Infinity audio system, new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, base 1.6-liter engine with an increased 138 hp, new 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 164 hp, and fuel economy improvements
- 2013: Standard Bluetooth with steering-wheel audio controls, additional lighting options for stereo display
Kia Soul versus the Competition
Kia Soul versus Jeep Renegade
While the Kia Soul and Jeep Renegade both sport a boxy design, they’re quite different crossovers. Most notably, the Renegade is a more capable off-road vehicle with a choice of front-wheel or four-wheel drive. On the downside, it has a higher price point and a less comfortable ride. The Soul is a more affordable choice with more room for people and cargo. It also boasts better fuel economy figures than the Renegade, which further improves its affordability.
Kia Soul versus Honda Fit
The Honda Fit has a lower starting price than the Kia Soul, but it has fewer standard features. The Fit gets far better fuel economy too, which makes it a more affordable proposition over time. Though both seat five, there’s more room in the Soul for passengers and cargo. The Soul also has more powerful engine options and better handling than the Fit, making it a better choice for those who want an engaging driving experience.
Kia Soul versus Hyundai Kona
Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors, so these two vehicles are closely related. The Soul is priced lower than the Kona and it gets better fuel economy, which is a plus, but the Soul doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, the Kona does. On performance, while the base engines are comparable, the turbocharged Soul comes out ahead and is faster. The Soul also comes out far ahead with cargo room thanks to its boxy design. Standard safety on the Kona, however, is stronger than what you’ll find on the Soul.
Kia Soul versus Kia Sportage
The Kia Soul is the smallest, most affordable utility vehicle in the Kia lineup. Next is the Kia Seltos, followed by the Kia Sportage, so there’s a marked difference in size and price. The Sportage offers more room for people and cargo and it’s available with all-wheel drive, which you can’t get at all on the Soul. Its engines are more powerful, but you won’t get the same fuel economy as you will in the Soul. The larger dimensions of the Sportage make it a better choice for families.
