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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  Great "Around Town" Car - 2012 Kia Soul
  By jra8 - June 9 - 8:30 pm

  Definately a fun car to drive. Bought as companion to Chrysler Van, whose capacity I need about 20% of the time. The Soul is perfect fo the 80% of the time it is 1 or 2 people, and a brief case or gym bag. I am getting 31-33 MPG around town (1.6lengine,automatic). I use ECO mode about half the time. Love how quick and agile it is. Interesting that highway mileage has been well below estimates. At 70 MPH, RPMs are 2800. Need to be at about 55 to get advertised MPG. Overall, very happy after 1000 miles.

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  Great new vehicle - 2010 Kia Soul
  By mddriver - June 8 - 7:23 am

  Just got a Kia Soul ! in Alien and love it. The dealership I was at sold 3 that day. This has to be the most fun I have had driving a car in years. Sound system is amazing and the car has more pickup than the Jeep Liberty I traded in for it (and the Jeep had twice the horsepower). Have not had any problem with the automatic transmission..shifts fine and has not issue passing on the highway. This vehicle will sell fast and it should. There are more amenities in the Soul than any car I know of at that price range. Now I need to keep my kids out of it..its mine..

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  Good car for the price - 2011 Kia Soul
  By jimr91 - May 31 - 7:11 am

  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.

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  Automatic door locks - 2011 Kia Soul
  By tinakaycasteel - May 27 - 12:22 pm

  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.

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  A pleasent Surprise! - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Bob A - May 27 - 4:21 am

  This is my third KIA, First one was a 2011 Sorento, which I put 78000 trouble free miles on. Second was a 2013 Optima Hybrid, A great Car, but my wife is physically handicapped and the passenger seat was so low that it was very hard to enter and get out. So with mixed emotions I traded for a 2014 Soul + which is extremely easy to enter and exit. Shortly after taking delivery we had to make a quick trip across country. This was from Yuma, AZ to New Jersey. (round trip total was 6215 miles.) The weather was torrential rain a good portion of the trip, The Soul proved it self to be outstanding, Through Texas we ran about 85 mph when possible and my fuel average was averaging 28-30 mph. The Soul was quiet and did well in heavy winds. I now have accumulated 8500 miles and have not had one problem. Also the local Dealer here in Yuma is outstanding. KUDOS to KIA

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  AWESOME! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By mountain_kitty - May 25 - 8:11 am

  I love my Soul Plus. Its a blast to drive. Its comfortable. Great sound system and Im getting between 39 and 41mpg.

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  our soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By john - May 22 - 5:26 am

  we were looking for a fun economical vehicle, this seems to fit our wants at a fairly affordable price, interior is comfortable, ride and handling are good, acceleration off the line is good as well, cargo space is better than expected in a vehicle of this type, as well as comfortable 4 adult seating, incredible sound system for a stock system. rear blind spots take some getting used to, overall we enjoy the vehicle, and have no issues as yet at 7000 miles, only disapointment was advertised fuel rating is 30 mpg, and we are averaging 27-28 consistantly since new, which is still respectable, but disapointing for a vehicle of this size

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  I love my new SOUL + - 2011 Kia Soul
  By mvickersla - May 21 - 11:03 pm

  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.

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  We LOVE this car!! - 2012 Kia Soul
  By chevegan - May 13 - 2:59 pm

  This car is a dream. Weve owned (all new) Honda: accord, civic, Pilot, Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, PT cruiser (loser), as well as an 08 Kia spectra, and currently a family owned since new 97 mbz e420. Of ALL those cars, Barring maybe the 09 legacy this car trumps them all in being an all around beauty and performer. With the seats down its a workhorse, with a car seat 2 adults can fit in the back seat. The back with optional tray is exceptionally organized and has plenty of room for your day to day runs. I have severe nerve damage to back and leg and this thing pulls off an outstandingly comfortable ride, note the exclaim model has better ride comfort

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  Definitely a Soulman - 2013 Kia Soul
  By Soulman44 - May 10 - 4:26 pm

  The Kia Soul is the best of the econoboxes, and its not really that close. I took a very hard look at the Scion XB, as Im a fan of most things Toyota (particularly the original MR2), but it was an odd combination of too quirky yet too heavy and grown up. The Honda Element is all of the same traits amplified, but with worse still gas mileage. The Nissan Cube is quirky too, but very light and efficient with great gas mileage. However, its not large enough for passengers, at least not in comparison to the Soul. The Cube also has poor visibility out and an uncomfortable seating position, IMO. Then comes the Kia Soul, which simply does everything right while looking great and driving sweetly. One can opt for the 2.0 liter with a manual for a healthy dose of sport, but I prefer the better mpg of the 1.6. It still accelerates strongly due to its low weight, but keep it out of the revs and you can return 31 mpg in Suburbia-type traffic with lots of stop and go. This is my first manual with 6+ forward gears, and the Soul really makes the most of them. I havent done any 60 mph highway drives, but I would fully expect this to get 40 mpg in true highway driving. What else? The stereo with Aux in, USB for charging (or a billion songs on a thumb drive), bluetooth for phone audio or calls, great ergonomics, a huge glovebox, great visibility all around, and a very comfortable drive. I also do my own maintenance and repairs, and was blown away the first time I popped the hood. Room! Room galore for hands and wrenches. The only criticism I can imagine is that there is some road noise, but no more than my wifes very comfortable Odyssey. Some of that is likely tire noise, but you can tell that they left off some noise dampening to keep the weight and price down. Its not bad by any means, but its the only thing I can think of that is less than ideal with the Soul, even with the base. Ebay has sheets of sound deadening material for sale, and Im doing that next. This car is highly recommended. Ill be shocked if I dont have at least one Soul in our driveway 10 years from now.