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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  The Soul of Seoul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Chris - November 9 - 11:46 am

  I recently traded my Kia Amanti in on a new Soul+. Although I had tears in my eyes having to leave the Amanti behind (I really did. Not too macho I know), I was happy to be driving home in something that both my wife and kids approved of. Thus far, it has been nothing but fun to drive. It does not have much power but it is after all a 4 cylinder. Great on gas and roomy. I am 64" and was surprised at all the room in the interior. Very sporty and nice. Kia does it again!

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  They should have named it Kia Steal - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Jay Sojdelius - October 18 - 6:33 pm

  In terms of what you get for the money, this car is a steal. We wanted to spend around $15K and were resigned to buying a used car until we decided to test-drive the Soul. While initially skeptical of the Kia brand from a quality standpoint, the test-drive completely won us over. Sure, it doesnt ride like a luxury car and some of the materials may not be top-of-the-line, and its certainly no sports car, but we nevertheless found it to be fun and peppy and reasonably comfortable to drive. Its got plenty of room even for taller drivers (Im 64") and the seats are nice and supportive. The features are amazing at this price point (satellite radio, Bluetooth, mp3 jack and a killer sound system)

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  Soul is a Plus - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Kirk - September 30 - 6:50 am

  Ive had my soul + a week. 2.0L automatic has enough pep for me, but then Ive never been a gunner. I really like the vision I have when driving this vehicle. The seat is as high as many of the mid-level SUVs. More space than most of the Japanese wagons/cross-overs in its price range. I would have like to had saved $$$ off the MSRP; but they wouldnt budge. Not a good buying experience; but Im enjoying the car.

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  My "Soul" mate! - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Janice - September 4 - 4:20 am

  I was tired of the low seating of sports cars and sedans. Driving my Soul feels like a small SUV, solid, smooth, quiet, roomy, no blind spots. Love it!

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  My "Soul" mate! - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Janice - September 4 - 3:07 am

  I was tired of the low seating of sports cars and sedans. Driving my Soul feels like a small SUV, solid, smooth, quiet, roomy, no blind spots. Love it!

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  Bluetooth needs update - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Toms view - August 19 - 10:00 am

  The bluetooth is terrible--- every time you pass a new cell tower- it downloads your address book-- when you get in the car- the phone cannot be used until the address book gets downloaded. You also lose you phone calls when the cell tower transfers the bluetooth needs to be upgraded or replaced

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  Kia Soul solid little car..... - 2010 Kia Soul
  By andy r - July 21 - 4:33 pm

  This car we bought the base model in grey for around 13.5 k . We have put 20000 miles on the car. We have a house near a major ski area so much snow driving was done in this car....... we bought a rack and tlue cargo attachment for rack which knocks our mph down a bit....... Overall a good little econo car get about 25-30 mph with roof cargo bin. add 3 mph without. IS very noisy in passanger area ..... just crank up vol. on stereo , Overall we are happy with car.....fits a lot of stuff for a little car !

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  Last Kia I will own - 2010 Kia Soul
  By autoguy99 - July 11 - 7:10 am

  I bought the Kia Soul 2U based on size vs the advertised MPG. The local dealer had it rated 41 hwy and 36 hwy. I use this car for sales and average 35000kms per year. I average arround 24 mpg. Pathetic. I talked to the same dealer who sold me on the great MPG and was told that those numbers were not real world mpg. There is an annoying rattle in the drivers side windsheild post that no one can seem to fix. Never again, next car will be a honda.

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  Good Value - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Soul_Owner - July 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had a 2011 Soul+ 5sp for a couple months and a few thousand miles now. It is a good value overall. Mechanically, it is a basic 4 cylinder economy car. The body design, roomy SUV-like seating position, and a generous feature list are what make the car attractive. Two consistent complaints with the 2010 model - rough ride/poor suspension and door panels that scratch up easily - have been addressed with the 2011 model. One shortcoming that remains is the final gear isnt tall enough so that you have high RPM at highway speeds (3,000 rpm @ 70 mph). MPG is good. I consistently get 26-28 mpg in mixed driving and got over 31 mpg on a purely highway trip.

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  Love our little gas sipper - 2011 Kia Soul
  By tysmeme - May 23 - 7:53 pm

  We have had our Kia Soul since Jan 12 and it is a 2012 model. So far we are more than pleased with this car. The fuel economy is good , there is ample leg room, the ride is not bad. Do wish it had an arm rest but this is a small thing. I love the idea of all the air bags it has. It gets lots of attention !