Hyundai IONIQ Electric vs. Kia Soul

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Kia Soul contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and the Kia Soul.

When we compare the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's and the Kia Soul's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric has the advantage in the area of reliability. The Kia Soul has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai IONIQ Electric's and the Kia Soul's specifications and ratings, the Kia Soul is a better car than the Hyundai IONIQ Electric.

Pricing: A used 2021 Hyundai IONIQ Electric ranges from $16,784 to $25,741 while a used 2021 Kia Soul is priced between $13,990 to $20,995.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric loses 49 percent of its value and the Kia Soul loses 37.1 percent of its value. This means the Kia Soul retains 11.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai IONIQ Electric.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric is 7.7 out of 10 while the Kia Soul's quality rating is 8.0 out of 10.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric is 7.9 out of 10. For the Kia Soul the reliability rating is 7.6 out of 10. This gives the Hyundai IONIQ Electric a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Soul.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric’s base engine makes 134 horsepower, and the Kia Soul base engine makes 147 horsepower. The IONIQ Electric is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 170 miles. The Soul is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 443 miles.This gives the Hyundai IONIQ Electric the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Kia Soul the advantage in maximum range. The IONIQ Electric uses electricity, and the Soul uses regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Soul, a subcompact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Hyundai IONIQ Electric, a electric compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.

Safety Ratings: The Kia Soul has an average safety rating of 4.13 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.