Kia Soul EV vs. Tesla Model 3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Soul EV and Tesla Model 3 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 EV and the Tesla Model 3.
When we compare the Kia Soul EV's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the Kia Soul EV has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Soul EV's and the Tesla Model 3's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2019 Kia Soul EV ranges from $12,938 to $23,393 while a used 2019 Tesla Model 3 is priced between $21,509 to $33,416.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Soul EV loses 49.9 percent of its value and the Tesla Model 3 loses 46.7 percent of its value. This means the Tesla Model 3 retains 3.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Soul EV.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Soul EV’s base engine makes 109 horsepower, and the Tesla Model 3 base engine makes 283 horsepower. The Soul EV is rated to deliver an average of 124 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 111 miles. The Model 3 is rated to deliver an average of 127 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 220 miles. This gives the Tesla Model 3 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Soul EV. Both models use electricity. The charge time for the Soul EV is 33 hours (120V), while the charge time for the Model 3 is 10 hours (240V).
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Soul EV has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room and front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Tesla Model 3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$33,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$29,790
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$23,900 - $33,950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$36,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$40,475
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$36,500 - $44,450
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$18,498
Price Range:
$12,938 - $23,393
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$15,629
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
$13,551 - $18,498
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
33,303
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$27,354
Price Range:
$21,509 - $33,416
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$23,729
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
$20,103 - $27,354
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
566
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
62,597
# Good or Great Deals:
285
Kia Soul EV Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Soul EV
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
6.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
6.1 - 13
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model 3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
1.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
0.6 - 4.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
432.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
218.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
4.3 - 432.6
Kia Soul EV Rankings
Ranking
6 out of / 26Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
15 out of / 26Ranking
24 out of / 26Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 15Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 15Ranking
11 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 15Summary Review
The Kia Soul EV is a five-door hatchback/crossover that brings a green drivetrain to one of Kia’s most popular small vehicles. If you like the Soul but want a green powertrain and don’t mind a much lower range, you’ll love the Soul EV.
Summary Review
The Tesla Model 3 is widely regarded as the best electric sedan in the world. The Model 3 is also the top-selling EV in the US market by a wide margin. This compact/midsize sedan offers a thrilling driving experience and advanced technology.
Pros and Cons
- All of the standard Soul’s flexibility and functionality
- Fun to drive
- Limited range
Pros and Cons
- Excellent range
- AWD available
- Attractive styling
- Amazing performance with Performance trim
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
- Pricier than its reputation (mid-$50Ks is the typical price point)
- No spare tire on any trim
- Interior design and materials don’t match premium pricing
Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Kia Soul EV Trim Levels
+, Base
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Mid Range, Performance, Standard Range, Standard Range Plus
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 120000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 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:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
109 hp
Torque:
210 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.033 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
283 hp
Torque:
317 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.078 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
MPGe:
124 / 93 / 108
Range (city/hwy):
111 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
30 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
33 hours (120V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
MPGe:
127 / 124 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
220 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
50 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
10 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Cargo Space:
18.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
49.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
115.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
15 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
97.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3289 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
63 inches
Length:
163 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3624 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
184.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Shadow Black
Blue
Caribbean Blue/Clear White
Gray
Titanium Gray
Silver
Bright Silver
White
Clear White / Cloud White
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Red
Red Multi-Coat
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
