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 choice! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Brittany - August 29 - 3:30 am

  I had wrecked my car only to find out that it was totaled and had to go on a shopping trip. I went to Hagerstown Honda because that is where I ALWAYS go, great people, great prices! Well I had a car salesman named Britton who was AMAZING. I told him the type of car I was looking for (and it was supposed to be used) and my price range. He said he had the perfect fit for me... he pulled around in the very same car I ended up purchasing. As soon as I got in I loved it. Its a fun little ride =)

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  My Hampstermobile Rocks! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By nina Zimm - August 26 - 3:53 pm

  I traded in my Ford Escape Hybrid on a whim; after watching the Kia Soul hampster commercial on youtube several times. I am in love w/this car. I am 53 and bought the stick shift. Drives beautifully, is fun to drive, holds an amazing amount, and the radio is fabulous. The interior design is brilliant and Im told by passengers who have driven in my car that the back seat is really comfortable for adults and kids. I dont think it would be a comfortable ride for a long road trip, however, no small car is, in my mind. But for city driving, you cant beat the shear fun of a Kia Soul. I live in Florida w/oppressive heat , and love this air conditioner. It cools the car off very quickly!

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  I love my Soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Bubba - August 21 - 8:06 am

  My Kia Soul is a great little car I traded in my 2005 Sorento for it . I had decided to get something a little more fun...I am surprised at how well the Soul handles. The car is very comfortable and has a "tight" feel to it. Lots of headroom and visibility. getting about 33 mpg. The rear seats fold down and up easily gives me enough cargo space. People definitely give it a second look. Four a little 4 banger automatic with air it does surprisingly well on the Eway...You dont feel like you are riding low Definitely a good buy if you are looking for economy and dont want to sacrifice quality.

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  Fun Little Car!! - 2012 Kia Soul
  By tayalynn77 - August 12 - 9:27 pm

  I have almost 9,000 miles on my Kia Soul. So far it’s doing great. I am averaging about 32 mpg in the city. Only one kid left at home now so I am down-sizing my life so I got rid of my luxury mini-van and went with the simplest and cheapest new car I could find. I went with the 6 speed. I bought the car with my business in mind so I have graphics and tinted windows installed. I also purchased a center console/arm rest which I love. The car is not the best for long trips. I took it to Florida (about a 16 hour drive) and we nearly were blown off the highway a few times. It handled fabulously other than that. We even had an 18 wheeler tire explode just as we were passing the truck and my husband managed to drive and shuttle around the pieces of tire with no damage or incident. Eventually this will become my husband’s every day car and I will get something better for traveling. All in all, a great little car to scoot around town in! Yesterday I got a letter from my dealer stating that they needed some 2012 Souls and wanted to try and put me in something else if I wanted to trade it in. I’ll pass!

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  2011 Kia Soul "hamstar" special edition.. - 2011 Kia Soul
  By nashvilleandi - July 28 - 3:21 pm

  we love the Kia Soul - we traded in our Kia Sportage.. thought wed miss the room but the kia soul is rather Roomy considering its a small car. Gas Mileage is Excellent.. we avereage 29-31 mpg.. costs less to fill up and more miles between fills than our Sportage was. We loved the sportage, but we never had the leather and upgrades we have in the Soul. Our Soul has leather, sunroof, blue tooth, satellite - we love the extras for the cost you cant beat the upgrades.. only gripe is we hated, the FACTORY DECALS.. tacky. Were in our 40s and the Decals "Hamstar" were tacky.. too many . We removed the Decals from hood and back. looks much better . decals made it look too young

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  Great car for the money - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Old_climber - June 29 - 9:23 pm

  Okay, so Ive only had my Soul for a few days, but it has already won me over. Is there some road noise, sure, but it isnt excessive and for under 19K what do you expect...really! And I dont know what some reviewers mean when they complain about the power, Ive got the 2.0L engine and unless youre looking to drag race from the red lights, what do you expect? THe car is solid, has all the bells and whistles, great milage, is fun to drive, and has more get up and go than the average day to day driver needs.

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  Very Impressed - 2011 Kia Soul
  By kipper6 - June 24 - 11:50 pm

  I didnt go shopping for a Kia Soul , I had bought a used VW and after that broke down twice , I took it back to the Kia dealer and asked for my money back , they said look around the lot and see if I like any thing else , I drove the Soul and couldnt belive the ride , build . I made a deal and bought it . I get 26 mpgs around town and 31 on the highway .The radio is great . Over all the car is very well built , easy to park and fun to drive .

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  2010 Kia + - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 1st Kia - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the Soul +, Its my first Kia. I Love this car it has everything I wanted as far as the Bluetooth, built in ipod connection, satellite. Love the exterior look and it is fun to drive. For all the options available and warranty its a great deal.

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  Old Guy Loves This Car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Mike - June 6 - 7:36 pm

  at 54 and having owned many luxury cars from corvettes to BMWs, I went with the Kia Soul because of style, comfort and fun. I can put up with my 5 adult children poking fun at me but I thoroughly enjoy this car.

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  shopping for my wife , got two instead - 2010 Kia Soul
  By FredR - May 14 - 1:30 pm

  Went to get my wife a review for her car choice and wound up coming home with two of them. I thought they would be small but there is plenty of room inside and plenty of selling features to draw you in. Time will tell on the reliability questions, but with the decent warranty that should be ok if problems arise over the next ten years. Whod of thought a little wind up toy like this would make practicle sense for us. Hope everyone else is loving theirs as much as my wife and I are. For the first day anyway.