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 Car ! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By GREAT CAR! - February 20 - 10:46 pm

  Second Kia owned. Had new 2004 Optima with over 100,000 miles when traded with no problems. The quality and reliability sold us and we could not be happier with our Soul. Great ride and good mileage 28-32. We tested ScionXD and Honda Element, but the Soul was the winner.

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  I wish I wouldnt have - 2013 Kia Soul
  By Livia Marrissa H - February 18 - 11:02 pm

  So I bought my 2013 soul new and have had issues with too many things, mostly it handles terrible the radio had to be replaced, (never got my free Sirius as promised) knock sensor has now gone bad twice, have the same wiper issue as others, when turning the wheel one way or the other out of the driveway and such it clicks, and it rattles when I accelerate under the hood somewhere, acceleration leaves me more likely to hit the brakes and wait my turn when merging ..and the blind spot are awful, not to mention the noise if back window is down.

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  yours forever - 2011 Kia Soul
  By doug - January 29 - 6:27 am

  Car has no resale value. Dont buy it unless you plan on keeping it or taking a big hit on resale / trade in value.

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  Whole Lotta Soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Soul Sista - December 19 - 11:00 am

  I absolutely LOVE my new Soul Sport! I fell in love with the interior color of the sport and had to have it. You truly get more bang for your buck with the Kia Soul compared to anything else on the market. Its roomy and comfortable and unique. Its way better looking than the Cube or the XB and has more bells and whistles. I love the bluetooth and steering wheel controls. I could do without the sport suspension, as the ride is much bumpier than Im used to, but the pros outweigh the cons for sure. I am coming from a mid sized SUV and a minivan, so I needed something larger than a sedan but less expensive than an SUV. The Soul has everything I want!

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  Great All-purpose hatchback - 2010 Kia Soul
  By SuperAce - December 15 - 8:20 am

  I really love my 2010 Kia Soul. It has enough passenger room to carpool with four adults and I can fit all my music gear in the back for band practice. The interior is great - especially the stereo and easy-to-use steering wheel controls. I choose the Kia over the Scion xB or xD, and am happy with my choice. I think the Soul hits the size sweet spot between the original and redesigned xB.

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  I Really Love my Kia Soul - 2013 Kia Soul
  By brittneycj - December 4 - 1:38 am

  I bought my Kia Soul ! in March 2013 and absolutely love it. I think it fits my personality and lifestyle perfectly. I have a yellow lab and can easily throw her in the back.

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  Great vehicle for the price - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Gary - December 3 - 2:34 pm

  The 2016 Kia Soul performs better than expected . Interior space is better than expected for a vehicle of this size. Despite the reviews in regards to performance, the 2.0 power plant does a very good job for the normal everyday driver. I have managed to get 29 miles per gallon in town with light foot driving practices. The steering is very responsive and the four wheel disc brakes are much better than average. The ride comfort is a bit stiff on rough roads but acceptable. I would recommend the base+ if you dont need every bell and whistle available. The cost for additional packages is a bit costly in my view. The plus has the back up camera feature and touch screen on the dash. It also has fog lights and automatic headlight feature. I will comment on two areas for change in my view. The fact that the Soul does not have a spare tire is very important to me. The spare tire kit will cost you an additional $200.00. It is possible you could be setting for some time if you depend on roadside assistance. The spare tire will get you on the road in less time by far. The additional area I would comment on is the rear wheel well. The material that is used in the rear wheel well area is almost carpet like. It holds the mud and salt in our area and is hard to clean even with high pressure spray. I am concerned about this materials ability to hold up under mud, snow and gravel situations. It should be a heavy duty plastic like the front wheel well area. Overall it is a great vehicle for the money invested. The 2016 Kia Soul should be considered for the budget minded consumer or anyone that would like to have fun in a new vehicle.

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  Fun For 50+ - 2011 Kia Soul
  By coolray - October 29 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I went looking to buy a new car and sticker shock sent us over to the Kia dealer. The nicest car buying experience weve ever had. No pressure, lots of help and informative folks there. The Soul looks cool, has lots of style and features. ABS, rear disc brakes, wheels & low profile tires, tinted windows, low tire pressure warning, great radio/lights and gadgets, good cargo area, super warranty and is a lot of fun. Our adult kids like it and approve. We are now connected with bluetooth, Sattelite Radio and looking forward to getting an Ipod connected soon. 50+ and Cruzin again!

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  Still Up in the Air - 2010 Kia Soul
  By mildly annoyed - October 14 - 8:30 am

  We bought this car for the fuel efficiency and we got a good trade in as well. Got the base model but made them put in after market cruise control with the purchase. The cruise control looks and behaves cheaply. The dealership was shady and Im not sure they arent screwing us. It seems that after the last time i took the car in for its scheduled check-up some warning lights came on. Even after they did a diagnostic! Im going to get the equipment to run diagnostics myself. The check engine light comes on for a loose gas cap.

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  KIA HAS A WINNER - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Gary McAdams - September 19 - 6:50 am

  I just have lees than 600 miles and this is a winner. It is comfort front to back and my KIA dealer was fare and I felt like I was buying a roles, I have always bought American but know KIA is a car for EVERY ONE TO LOOK AT ! Thanks KIA for building a WINNER