Subaru Outback vs. Kia Soul
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Outback 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 Subaru Outback and the Kia Soul.
When comparing the Subaru Outback's and the Kia Soul's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Outback has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Kia Soul has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Outback's and the Kia Soul's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2025 Subaru Outback ranges from $28,999 to $40,745 while a used 2025 Kia Soul is priced between $18,529 to $25,990. For a new model, the Subaru Outback's price is between $32,586 and $46,228, with the Kia Soul priced between $20,878 and $27,067.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Outback loses 43.3 percent of its value and the Kia Soul loses 41.8 percent of its value. This means the Kia Soul retains 1.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Outback.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.3 out of 10 while the Kia Soul's quality rating is 7.6 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Outback being ranked 6 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Kia Soul being ranked 2 out of 3 Best Wagons.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Outback is 7.8 out of 10. For the Kia Soul the reliability rating is 7.4 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Outback a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Soul.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Outback’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Kia Soul base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Outback is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles. The Soul is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 472 miles.This gives the Kia Soul the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Subaru Outback the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Outback, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Kia Soul, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the area of rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Subaru Outback has higher safety ratings than the Kia Soul, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
32586 - 46228
Starting MSRP:
29995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
28836
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24135 - 30995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
20878 - 27067
Starting MSRP:
20490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
24145
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
17190 - 33950
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
34524
Price Range:
28999 - 40745
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
32106
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
28107 - 36583
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
21997
Price Range:
18529 - 25990
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
29074
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
19544 - 41274
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
0.43208374
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
0.30791758 - 0.51647538
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
8649
Depreciation %:
0.42209893
Resale Value $:
11841
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.40897695
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.38131184 - 0.42209893
Subaru Outback Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Kia Soul Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Outback
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.253
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Soul
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
8.1 - 15.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.046
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.448465751878131
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 16.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.957570009633938
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.6 - 3.8
Subaru Outback Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 67Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 18Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 56Ranking
15 out of / 18Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 56Ranking
28 out of / 67Kia Soul Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Outback Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Limited XT, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition XT, Premium, Touring, Touring XT, Wilderness
Kia Soul Trim Levels
EX, GT-Line, LX, S
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
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
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
176 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
481 / 592 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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):
27 / 33 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
386 / 472 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.4 inches
Cargo Space:
32.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
141.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 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 applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
120.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3641 lbs
Width:
82 inches
Height:
66.4 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2888 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
63 inches
Length:
165.2 inches
Wheelbase:
102.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Cosmic Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Fusion Black
Blue
Not available
Gray
Gravity Gray / Steel Gray
Silver
Not available
White
Snow White Pearl
Orange
Mars Orange
Red
Inferno Red
Interior Colors
Black
Slate Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray/Black
