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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  Catch one if you can - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Gary Marzolf - March 24 - 2:29 am

  Much better car then i expected.

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  Soulfull - 2010 Kia Soul
  By papascar - March 17 - 8:23 am

  I started looking for a new car in Oct. 2008 and bought my SOUL! IN May 2009. I was in no rush to buy so I test drove Nissan, Chevy, Dodge, Jeep, VW, Suzuki and what I didnt test drive I research and talk to owners of the cars i was interested in. I first went to my dealer to look at and test drive a Suzuki sx4.(a great car) but it was a little small for my needs. Thats when my dealer so me the Kia Soul. I test drove the Soul at three different dealers each on different road conditions (I was not gentle and was please how the car responded in each situation I put it in. I been approach by many people who are impress with the room and design of the Soul. I to am impress.

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  Bambi - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Melissa Ewbank - March 17 - 3:02 am

  Road noise is a factor to think about this has a great ride comfortable fast heating and cooling virtually no blind spots while driving great seat adjustment mirros give great coverage very peppy that is why I named the car Bambi after my Grandmother

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  Enjoy being inside this Soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Colorado Cody - March 15 - 6:36 pm

  A great to to sit and be seen in! I really enjoy sitting in and driving the Kia Soul. The drivers seat is like sitting in Meditation - back straight - head rising above. The interior look makes you feel at home - surrounded by your favorite couch blanket. It is inexpensive ... and some fits that mold. But overall, it has more room and better Soul than a New Beetle.

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  Soul + - unbelievable bargain ! - 2011 Kia Soul
  By pnut166 - March 7 - 5:12 am

  Just got my new 2011 Kia Soul + AT yesterday. First impression: a lot of bang for the buck ! I got a fully-loaded Soul +, out-the-door for $15400, after trading in a trashed, near-death 2000 Focus. My first Kia experience, and the dealership was first-class all the way - best car-buying experience ever ! Now, on to the car. A pretty low-tech powertrain, but it gets the job done. Somewhat harsh engine noise, and , surprisingly, a four-speed tranny. A couple more gears would have given this car alot more in the way of fuel savings and comfort. But, it gets good mileage, is fairly peppy, and the manual mode adds to the driving fun. Interior looks somewhat cheap, but vastly improved over past

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  Love this car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By bkl1 - February 24 - 3:20 pm

  Bought a Kia Soul a few weeks ago and have to say this is the most fun weve had with a vehicle! So far the gas mileage is great, and all the little extras like the blue tooth capabilities, usb plug in for the radio and the satellite radio have made it a joy to drive. We originally looked at this car because of the safety features and gas mileage, which is great for a vehicle this size, but we were truly wowed by all of the extras. I especially like the seats, its very difficult to get comfortable in a bucket style seat if youre tall, the support and adjustability on these seats and steering wheel make it a really comfortable drive. Not to mention having the radio controls on the wheel-A+

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  I went with this, and not that - 2010 Kia Soul
  By jennyd - February 9 - 5:00 am

  I have been a Ford girl my whole life. Life has change and I needed something more in my price range and found the Soul !. This is the perfect car for me. It is fun to drive, it looks sharp on the road, and handles great for local driving, and highway driving. I am not sure what noisy highway driving means, but I drove about 400 miles on the highway and had no issue with noise, or anything, in fact it was a great trip! I highly recommend the Soul. And for those that have commented to me to buy American, well, if there were cars that were more in my budget, I think I would still buy a Soul!

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  A fun , practical commuter ! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By thekevman - January 22 - 7:13 pm

  Ive owned it for a couple of weeks, and Im very happy with the car! Great combination of agility , ride height giving good sight lines in city traffic, economy and roominess. American car makers are behind the curve designing big box economy cars.I looked at Cube , XB , and Elantra Touring - the Soul beat em all !

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  Fun AND Value - 2012 Kia Soul
  By kevster63 - January 17 - 5:08 am

  I have had my Soul for about 9 months now, and have 11K miles on her. I find it way too fun to drive, and as a daily driver I find my commute a far better experience than it once was. It has great performance considering the 2.0 liter engine (I also own a Hemi...), and scoots along just fine. The biggest issue is its lack of aerodynamics (but the BOX is cute!) so its mileage suffers on the highway if you are travelling faster than 65-70mph. Below 65mph it gets GREAT mileage, so I can easily average 30 mpg on my daily commute (20/80 city/hwy). Comfy seats, Awesome UVO sound system, bluetooth features, and more, make it fun! I have had absolutely NO reliability issues! 11K miles and HAPPY!

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  2010 Kia ! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Vic - January 14 - 9:16 am

  I am 50 years old and bought the 2010 Kia! that comes with the moonroof and foglights. 3 month subscription to Sirus. I bought this car as a commuter car. OK, the good news: Sporty exterior look and colors, everyone ask me about it, Bluetooth, Ipod/MP3 connection, steering wheel controls. Pretty good on mileage. Price. Bad news: no storage space, steering wheel leather but doesnt fill like leather to me. Interior color of the seats not fantastic but liveable. Doors and Liftback doesnt seem strong and sturdy when you close them.