Kia Soul vs. Buick Encore
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Soul and Buick Encore 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 Kia Soul and the Buick Encore.
In comparing the Kia Soul's and the Buick Encore's specifications and ratings, the Kia Soul has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and interior volume. The Buick Encore has the advantage in the areas of overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Soul's and the Buick Encore's specifications and ratings, the Kia Soul is a better car than the Buick Encore.
Pricing: A used 2022 Kia Soul ranges from $14,999 to $22,919 while a used 2022 Buick Encore is priced between $18,905 to $27,907.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Soul loses 37.1 percent of its value and the Buick Encore loses 44 percent of its value. This means the Kia Soul retains 7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Buick Encore.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Soul is 8.0 out of 10 while the Buick Encore's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the Kia Soul being ranked 2 out of 5 Best Wagons and the Buick Encore being ranked 1 out of 13 Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Soul is 7.6 out of 10. For the Buick Encore the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the Kia Soul a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Buick Encore.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Soul’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Buick Encore base engine makes 155 horsepower. The Soul is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 472 miles. The Encore is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 448 miles. This gives the Kia Soul the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Buick Encore. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Soul, a subcompact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Buick Encore, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage in the area of front head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Buick Encore has higher safety ratings than the Kia Soul, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.13 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$19,290
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
$19,800
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$13,600 - $29,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$23,682 - $29,406
Starting MSRP:
$24,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$34,895
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$24,400 - $44,700
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$18,300
Price Range:
$14,999 - $22,919
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
$21,166
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$15,130 - $30,552
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
699
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
49,142
# Good or Great Deals:
135
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,611
Price Range:
$18,905 - $27,907
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$31,331
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
$22,611 - $40,395
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
543
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
23,642
# Good or Great Deals:
109
Kia Soul Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
8.3 / 10
Buick Encore Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Soul
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
9.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
5.9 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Buick Encore
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
10.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
9.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
14.1%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.2 - 3.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
1 - 8.3
Kia Soul Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Buick Encore Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
30 out of / 68Ranking
31 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Ranking
57 out of / 68Ranking
66 out of / 68Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Soul Trim Levels
EX, GT-Line, LX, S, Turbo, X-Line
Buick Encore Trim Levels
Preferred
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.13 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
155 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
177 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 33 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
400 / 472 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
336 / 448 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Cargo Space:
24.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
120.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.5 inches
Cargo Space:
18.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
48.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
111.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2844 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
63 inches
Length:
165.2 inches
Wheelbase:
102.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3195 lbs
Width:
70.1 inches
Height:
65.2 inches
Length:
168.4 inches
Wheelbase:
100.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P215/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Cherry Black
Gray
Gravity Gray / Steel Matte Gray
Orange
Mars Orange
Red
Inferno Red
White
Snow White Pearl
Blue
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Twilight Metallic
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Cinnabar Metallic
White
Summit White / White Frost Tricoat
Blue
Dark Moon Blue Metallic
Silver
Quicksilver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray/Black
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Gray
Not available
Beige
Shale w/ Ebony Accents
