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:

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  Fun Car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By lionboy - January 25 - 1:30 am

  Great looking car! Nice to drive. Good pep. Have had it for a year now. Averages 28-30 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

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  Great Ride! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Jajaswanie - January 21 - 3:26 am

  I got my Soul a week ago, and it has really impressed me. I do a lot of city driving and I find the car is comfortable, quick, easy to maneuver, and spacious. My two teenage sons love it. I got the base model, and it is fun to drive.

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  Soul + with 68K miles - 2011 Kia Soul
  By soulmanencore - December 20 - 6:29 am

  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

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  Front, Back, Side-to-Side - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Im a Soul Man - December 8 - 9:40 am

  My gf and I drive the Soul Igntion Edition which is so attention grabbing. I gotta say I have a smile every time I drive it. We drove down to Philly last week and really got to see how great of a car is. We had no issues parking, the cruise control is so easy, gas mileage was superb, sound system is so crisp regardless if your listening to satellite or your Zune. Love the seats and the height. The throttle is so responsive although the brakes are a bit of a learning curve but will stop on a dime in no time. The bluetooth is so cool, it automatically connects you when you enter the car and it downloads all your numbers so all you have to do is press the bluetooth button and say the name!

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  Wheres the five speed auto and navi? - 2010 Kia Soul
  By so_cali - November 27 - 8:23 pm

  Kia has come SO close, but how could they offer an ancient four speed auto - this vehicle crys out for another gear an no navigation, while they were able to include speakers that light up? The red Sport interior trim is garish as well. Other wise this is a great vehicle, but these are two glaring ommisions.

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  Solid little car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By JavaSoul - November 24 - 5:16 pm

  I like the Soul because it has the positive qualities of a small and larger vehicle. It has the fuel economy of small car but he interior space of a small SUV. It is fairly sporty like a smaller car but has enough ground clearance to not bottom out in all the snow we have received recently.

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  Fun to Look At and Drive - 2011 Kia Soul
  By nursediesel - November 11 - 7:03 am

  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.

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  So many pluses! - 2014 Kia Soul
  By SkinnyLinny - October 18 - 5:49 pm

  I had two Honda Elements, but as everyone knows, the Element is no longer made (huge mistake, Honda). Well the Kia Soul took the place of the Element. IT doesnt have the amount of room that the Element had, but its better looking, better mileage, Quieter, handles better, turning radius is unreal, parking a breeze. The steering wheel is about the same size as our Lexus CT200H, fits like a glove. The doors open very wide and the visibility out the front window is great. Most vehicles have a small front window, not the Soul. Love the fact that I dont have to take the headrests off to have the rear seats fold. Its really nice having a 4 door hatchback (wagon). I bought the bare bones Soul with the 6 speed manual shift. It shifts very, very smooth. Clutch feels Great and the mileage is really great.

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  I LOVE MY KIA SOUL - 2010 Kia Soul
  By marcgeorge - October 16 - 8:16 pm

  I never thought I would break away from the domestic / Ford models. WOW I didnt realize what I was missing !! KIA is amazing. Their build quality and craftsmanship is much better and the warranty is far better. On top of that, what a GREAT value for the price. The SOUL is a blast to drive. It is a great looking car, very comfortable, I am 64 and I have plenty of room. The power is good and the gas mileage is very good. I have never been so excited to have a new car that I REALLY love. KIA has sold me--I will be watching for what they bring out next---if its like the SOUL,they will have another winner and a customer for life. I am a very proud new KIA owner

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  Completely Satisfied - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Satisfied - October 15 - 3:46 am

  The vehicle is awesome to drive and a pleasure to own. I couldnt have asked for a better deal as well as incentives for a purchase of a new vehicle. Yes. Interior is cheap but for the price I cannot complain. Extremely satisfied in my purchase and will use kia again in the future!