Overview & Reviews

The 2012 Kia Soul arrives with a number of notable upgrades, including more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, new six-speed transmissions and revised steering. Styling has been updated inside and out, and there are a number of new technology options.

• Long warranty.
• Ample passenger space
• Funky style
• User-friendly controls
• Loads of available features
• Low price
• Top crash scores

• Noisy and busy highway ride.
• Limited cargo room versus competitors

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 41.00

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  Mixed Reviews on the Soul + - 2012 Kia Soul
  By kunadave - October 26 - 7:39 pm

  I have a mixed review of the 2012 Kia Soul. The positive points are that the car was inexpensive to buy, very space efficient and produces excellent fuel economy. I have a handicapped girlfriend and the seat is the right height for her to slide out of her scooter and into the seat. I can also fold the scooter and fit it into the back. This is good. The fuel economy guide tells me that the car is rated at 27/35 mpg. I only use this car for commuting 20-miles each way. My fuel economy average has always between 32 and 34 mpg in normal urban driving. This too is good. The negatives are that the car has really annoying characteristics. The key fob is too big to fit into my pants pocket without leaving a bulge. I tried to find a normal key just to open the door but goofy Kia changed the size of the key blank (for 2012). I can’t find a locksmith with the right size anyway. The car also turns off the radio and then yells at me to coordinate my cell phone with its Bluetooth system. My phone is too old to for bluetooth so I get yelled at twice a week forever? The car probably learned to yell from Kia Customer Service people; they yell too. The car has no spare tire but it does have an emergency inflator. I live at the end of civilization in Idaho and there is often no cell phone service when I go fishing/hunting. I can’t be sure that I can get roadside assistance if the car has a flat outside the cell phone service area. And I have to carry a cell phone? I would think that adding a spare tire is cheaper than paying the crabby customer service people. Overall, the car is very good at what it does; efficiently moving people at low cost. It is just so annoying in operation that I will not buy a Kia again. I’ll buy another new full-sized pickup and pay the extra fuel costs with the money I save from the truck’s lower purchase cost and lower insurance cost Kuna Dave

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  Lousy fuel economy... - 2012 Kia Soul
  By dwilson - July 19 - 10:11 am

  I waited for the 2012 due to its supposed improved fuel economy. I had a Honda element AWD which averaged about 25mpg. Much bigger and heavier than the soul. I am averaging about 27 or 28 with this little car... Same type of driving. I figured to save about $700 a year on gas... Actually maybe $150.... I wish I had kept the Honda....

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  2 months and already MAJOR issues?? - 2012 Kia Soul
  By rs33983 - July 10 - 11:56 am

  The headrest are EXTREMELY uncomfortable for a 60" person. Less than 2 moths old and in service for 3 different items. A bad vibration on interstate. The power door locks malfunctioning. A rattling noise at warm start up in the engine. Very disappointed.

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  Unhappy Owner - 2012 Kia Soul
  By kmcars123 - May 25 - 1:38 am

  Car hesitates and kills when stopping. Have owned for 9 months and Kia is still trying to get it fixed. Have been assigned Kia rep by corporate offices, but they dont really seem to care and are almost impossible to get a hold of. Since car is in shop again for last 3 weeks...will be filing Lemon Law, and hopefully we will get some results.

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  Beware of dealer - 2012 Kia Soul
  By thuds - September 22 - 1:28 am

  Quite a few dealers sell KIAs as a secondary model-more of a "cost leader". Some really dont care whether the customer is happy with poor service because its not their "main" brand. If factory mats fail at 7000 miles thats standard due to "cheap" materials. I was disappointed with dealer treatment and with their service department, plus poor followup from their sales department. Had Scions, Mini Coopers, Jetta TDIs and got outstanding service. Not in KIAs case. Mileage not as advertised, but did not expect it to be. All round, I feel the car can be great, just dont expect decent service or followup after the sale.