Overview & Reviews

With its funky styling and spunky four-cylinder power, the compact Kia Soul is aimed at mainstream economy-car shoppers who want something different. Indeed, the boxy Kia hatchback is avant garde in its approach, boasting a swept-back exterior design with sporty angles and a neat cabin filled with distinctive shapes and vibrant colors. It gives Kia an injection of, well, soul to complement its well-earned reputation for competence and value.

Current Kia Soul
Introduced for 2014, the second-generation Kia Soul comes in three trim levels: base, + and !.

The base Soul gets a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 130 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard (including a hill-start assist function), and a six-speed automatic is optional.

Soul+ and ! models have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 164 hp and it comes only with the six-speed automatic. EPA combined fuel economy estimates range from 26-27 mpg, the latter with the optional Eco package.

The base Soul's standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone connectivity and an audio system with a CD player, satellite radio and an iPod/USB interface. The Soul+ adds 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and front and rear center armrests. The Soul! features 18-inch wheels, body-colored bumpers, LED daytime running lights, power-folding side mirrors, a power driver seat and the Uvo eServices package (infotainment interface with voice control, Bluetooth audio connectivity, streaming Internet radio capability, a rearview camera and automatic headlights). Option highlights include a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, a navigation system, an upgraded audio system, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery and heated front and rear seats.

In reviews, we've been impressed with the Soul's interior materials' quality, user-friendly high-tech features and generous passenger and cargo space. Underway, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is satisfyingly quick whether bopping around town or merging onto a highway. The automatic transmission is on point with its well-timed and swift gearchanges. We haven't sampled the smaller engine but assume most buyers would be happier with the equally fuel-efficient but gutsier 2.0-liter mill. The Soul handles curvy roads well, thanks to its well-weighted, precise steering and composed attitude. Unfortunately, the Soul's boxy shape results in excessive wind noise at highway speeds, and the Soul! model has a somewhat rough ride due to its larger wheels and tires.

Used Kia Soul Models
The first-generation Kia Soul was produced from 2010-'13. Trim levels consisted of base, +, ! and Sport.

The base Soul had a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 122 hp; it was available only with a five-speed manual. The upper trims got a 2.0-liter four with 142 hp. It also came with the five-speed manual as standard, but a four-speed automatic was optional.

Standard features on the base Soul included air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system with satellite radio and an iPod/USB jack. Moving up through the trims brought alloy wheels, premium audio, power-folding sideview mirrors, a sunroof, automatic climate control and a two-tone interior.

For 2012 a number of important improvements took place, notably more engine output, new six-speed transmissions and revised steering. The base Soul's 1.6-liter four made 138 hp and could be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The other Souls' 2.0-liter four cranked out 164 hp. The Soul + had the same transmission choices as the base model, while the Soul ! was automatic only. That year the Soul's styling was slightly updated inside and out and a number of new technology options, such as a navigation system, debuted as well.

In reviews, we noted that the Soul's cabin offered a nice balance between form and function, while the available two-tone houndstooth upholstery gave the Soul more flair than its rivals. Gauges and controls are well-placed and easy to use, even when fitted with high-tech options like the voice-controlled Uvo infotainment system that allows you to control your cell phone, iPod and more with voice commands. A major benefit of the Soul's boxy design is the abundant head- and legroom, even in the backseat.

As with the following generation, the 2.0-liter engine is the one to get, especially since fuel economy is on par with the smaller engine. In terms of handling, the Soul doesn't offer the sort of zippy nature provided by some other small cars, but it isn't a soft snooze-mobile either. The ride quality is pretty agreeable, though models fitted with the admittedly sharp-looking 18-inch alloy wheels can feel harsh over bad pavement.

User Reviews:

• 

  no power - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Bill - June 3 - 9:46 pm

  stay away from the 1.6 liter engine, the power is similar to a 10 speed bicycle and the mileage is terrible for such a small engine. The 2.0 isnt much better, only barely adequate power, and the mileage is even worse. Whats with the all black interiors? HOT as a pizza oven in the warm weather, and sorta claustrophic. A more nuetral color would be nice. And the rear visibility STINKS. Hard to change lanes and parallel park BECAUSE YOU CANT SEE!!!

• 

  500 miles and DEAD NEW CAR - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Duke - November 7 - 6:26 pm

  I bought a KIA Soul on 7/27/09. I had it about a week. At 11:00pm on 8/02/09 with less than 500 miles on it it had to be towed to the dealership with an engine light and oil warning light. The motor knocked and it was apparent it was holding low oil pressure. A total internal failure and yes - the dipstick said it was full of oil. Ive asked for a new vehicle and not a repair. Im getting grief and expect this thing to be a series of problems now the vehicle engine is screwed as no dealership Ive seen has the ability to put a motor back in and get it to factory specifications. Its junk that does not live up to the mileage claims as well. Look for something else.

• 

  Not as good as you would think - 2011 Kia Soul
  By kc411 - October 9 - 12:21 pm

  Bought this in Oct. 2011 now with 60,000 miles on it. No problem with reliability, but would not do it again. Seats stain easily interior scratches easily. Not enough space behind the rear seat. You cant even get 2 average suitcases to fit. Only 25 mpg, lost of road noise and engine noise. If you hit a rough road hold on because there is no telling what way you will go. Not good in rainy conditions either. The resale value is not good. Even Kia will not give more then $10,000 on trade in with 60,000 miles. Kia has moved up, but I fill the car is over priced for what you get. Bought for close to $18,000 but got a $14,000 car. For the price there are better quality cars to pick from.

• 

  JUNK@7k Miles POOR FUEL ECONOMY! DIES! IDLES BAD! - 2012 Kia Soul
  By - April 2 - 8:04 pm

  Car dies and idles ROUGH! get 19-21 mpg! Has a lot options but they wont get you were you need to go..Car has moderate power for a 4cy...seats are ok comfort has lots of room...Buy a honda element used and you will be much happier...bluetooth is crappy

• 

  kia------>>> killed in action.. - 2010 Kia Soul
  By jeepers20 - January 31 - 1:30 am

  bought a used 2010 kia soul, had major engine troubles. high revving jerking.. had back to the dealership ,changed tsc units, still had trouble.. called kias consumer affairs ..may i say ,the worst consumer affairs out there!1 eight phone calls to them, never returned one terrible!!..

• 

  rental blues - 2010 Kia Soul
  By fdd - December 16 - 3:17 pm

  my van was hit while parked. thought i would try a soul rental. driven it for two months, now. the worst car i have ever driven; hard flat seats, hard painful ride, noisy 2 liter engine. one of the ugliest cars on the road. good space and headroom inside, although not up to the standard of the competition, as i have read.

• 

  A Soul + at a Soul ! price - 2017 Kia Soul
  By Tim - January 2 - 5:55 pm

  Ive always liked the Kia Souls but never got one because I felt they were under powered. Enter the 2017 Kia Soul ! and its 1.6L turbo engine. The engine isnt the problem with this car. The problem is that it is only available on the Exclaim model and the Exclaim has added and subtracted a few things. Theyve added a red strip that goes around the bottom of the exterior and gave the interior Leather/cloth seats with orange stitching. They didnt make the Soul a race car by any means, they just added an engine that gave it enough power not to feel like you had to floor it everywhere you went. So why would they make it like a kids toy and add stupid little things like that? On to the list of things that are gone. The front cooled seats are no longer an option and the heated front seats are still there but now only have 2 heat settings instead of 3. Those items are still available on the Soul +. So instead of getting the Soul ! that used to be the top trim level youre getting a Soul ! that isnt even fully loaded. Still, it is a great car Kia just needs to figure out their color schemes and option availability.

• 

  What kind of meds are the hamsters on? - 2013 Kia Soul
  By John Ranous - October 20 - 12:36 pm

  The Soul is a vehicle with great potential. Good looks. Nice interior. Lots of room (Im 64"). Good entertainment system in my base model. BUT, with just 12000 miles on the odometer, Ive got a rattle in the front suspension AND the steering column. The big negative for the Soul is the suspension. Everyone describes it as firm. Id say brutally, and unnecessarily stiff. If you are fortunate enough to drive nothing but new pavement, you will love this vehicle. Real world roads bring out the worst in the Souls road manners. I drive 22 miles to work, and Ive been introduced to every pavement fault along the route. You soon learn to avoid the big ones, or suffer the bone jarring consequences. But, even the small irregularities are magnified to uncomfortable proportions. Lots of road noise...suspension rumbles...now I know why the hamsters have the music cranked up. If you are considering a Soul, give it a good real world test drive, or rent one for a weekend.

• 

  Dont buy this car. - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Soul Stinks - October 13 - 12:56 am

  I think Kia thought that people would buy this car just for its styling. Well I bought it just for that reason and I couldnt have been more dissapointed. The fuel economy isnt what they say it is, I get 15mpg in the city. I dont know how this could possibly be. The interior and exterior are amazing but, the interior material quality is dismal at best. The ride is jumpy and jolty and no fun at all. I thought that since I got the sport model with the manuel it would be fun but, I was sadly mistaken. The stick shifter is mushy and un precise. Also, just from the poor quality of materials I dont bealive this car is going to last me that long at all.

• 

  KIA= Killed in Action - 2013 Kia Soul
  By fedupwithkia2 - February 5 - 4:02 am

  Nothing but problems. Kia difficult to deal with. Gas mileage is not as promised. Gas gauge has too much float Head unit quit working, been replaced Wheel speed sensor almost killed me and a friend throwing my car into limp mode. Ignition switch shorted out and had to be replaced. Radio cutting out. Again. Lights and wipers cut out. Oh did I mention the horrible shake, hard shift, failure to downshift?