2011 Kia Soul Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.38/5 Average
64 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

The Kia Soul receives a few improvements for 2011, with new rear shock absorbers and standard rear disc brakes (replacing last year's rear drums) being the most notable. Other minor changes include new door handles, push-button start, a trip computer and heated outside mirrors.

Pros:
  • Long warranty.
  • Ample passenger space
  • Surprisingly fun to drive
  • Highly customizable
  • User-friendly controls
  • Loads of available features
  • Low price
Cons:
  • Noisy and busy highway ride
  • Limited cargo room versus competitors
  • Unrefined manual transmission.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 64.00
  • A new way to roll; and yes, its no mini, but thats GOOD. - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    My previous car was a mini. Everything about this car is better as far as I am concerned with few exceptions. Its not fast, but, its still a lot of fun to drive and its plenty fast enough. It is easier to get in and out of than the mini, it holds 4 big adults comfortably, everything works well, The base stereoe sounds way better than the minis. Gas is a trade off, mine got a little better mileage but the soul burns regular. It shifts just fine with the manual trans; I have no idea what all the fuss about vague shifting is about ... I never miss a gear, the clutch is light and easy, shifting is effortless. A great car, looks good, engine even sounds better than the mini.

  • Soul + with 68K miles - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    I purchased this vehicle new in late 2011 and have been very pleased. I commuted from southern WV to northern IN weekly for 9 months logging 1K miles per week. The car has been great in snow, mountains and all sorts of driving. I have been extremely happy and average about 28.9 miles per gallon for the types of driving that I do. I researched the Soul for quite sometime and was impressed by the low initial cost, the fuel mileage and the safety ratings. The Soul has lived up to all of these ratings and I am extremely happy with the car

  • Fun to Look At and Drive - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    Ive wanted a Soul since they came out last year, but wanted to wait until they had the 1st year quirks ironed out. Once I drove one, I was convinced. First impression: Its tight, build quality seems excellent, no rattles, very solid sounding when you open/close doors and hatch. Brakes are soft-touch sensitive, steering is responsive, best of all I got 27 M.P.G. in the city on my first tank of gas (sticker says 24/30), but I must admit I drive pretty conservatively. 2.0 seems pretty peppy, gets up to hwy. speeds quickly and cruises comfortably. I researched and looked at a lot of other cars in this class and found they were either too pricy, got bad reviews, or were just too tiny.

  • Not as good as you would think - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    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.

  • LOVE IT!!! - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    I bought this car for my return to college. Peppy off the line, GREAT on gas (280 miles on first tank), suprisingly roomy for passengers, chock full of features for the price. Ive read it noisey at high speeds, NOT TRUE. Very comfortable simply FUN to drive. Definitely get the windows tinted. 95% of the negative comments about this car I did not experience. My previous car was employer provided and much more expensive. The Soul matches and beats it in most areas with the exception of power. The Soul is a 4-banger but gets up to speed when needed. If you are a racer, this car isnt for you. Otherwise this car is absolutely WONDERFUL.

  • surprisingly fun and responsive - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    Ive only had the Soul for a couple of weeks but already love this vehicle. It is much more than I expected in performance, comfort and fun-factor. The minute I see it, a smile creeps across my face and Im in a better mood.

  • Good car for the price - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    I had this car for almost 3 years and i loved every minute in it. I was extremely comfortable. The seats fit me perfectly and and a lot of head and leg room. It also had great gas mileage. $40 would fill it up and i could go almost 400 miles before i would fill it again. It did have small problems though. I didnt like the steering that much. It felt stiff and Im not a fan of stiff steering. Also the accelerator wasnt very smooth. These tine problems aside I never had any other issues with this car. It was a great car for the money. I put a total of 83000 miles on mine and only did regular maintenance on it. I would recommend getting this car to anybody.

  • Automatic door locks - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    I am very disapointed that the Soul does not have automatic door locks. If I would have known that up front.....I would not have bought the car. The automatic door locks have been on my cars for the last 18 yrs and with children and a four door car I feal that; that is a must have. I also think that the insides scuff up real easy and its hard to come clean. The 2 cup holders in the middle are useless when you can only use one of them. If you put a 2nd drnik in the cup holder it gets caught on the console and spills all over the place. So your passenger has to hold there drink "fountain drink that is" The middle console is very small and sits to far back. I cant use it for an armrest.

  • I love my new SOUL + - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    I just bought this car on 7/24/11, and I love it! I just want to drive it all day long. Its so much fun! My meter keeps saying that Im only getting 17.9 MPG, but Im still good on gas, and Ive been driving mostly in traffic so far.

  • nice car, but wish it got better mpg - 2011 Kia Soul
    By -

    Ive had the + for almost a year now and have around 12,000 miles on it. In the CITY I average 23.5mpg and near 27mpg HWY...it is a small tank and usually only costs around $30 to fill up and it lasts around a week and a half. HOWEVER, the cup holders are the worst design ever. There are bottle holders on each door, but for something with a lid and straw there is only one usable spot. The inside is nice, but scuffs up easily and the seats stain easily. There is a HUGE blind spot when backing out of a parking spot. I would not buy again over some of the new choices out there and would strongly consider spending 3-4k more on a slightly better designed car.

Kia Soul Reviews By Year:
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