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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  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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  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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  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.

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  Excellent little commuter - 2011 Kia Soul
  By ronatedmunds - December 13 - 9:15 pm

  I picked one up five weeks ago for $16.1K out-the-door after dealer discount and $1K loyalty rebate and got the 36-month 0.9% financing. I drive 31 miles each way for commute and have driven 1200 miles so far. I am averaging 28mpg on 30% city and 70% freeway (in traffic half the time) driving. Because of the high RPM rate, the freeway fuel economy is not great on this car. To achieve 30+mpg, you must cruise at speeds below 70mph. Also, the onboard fuel economy computer displays 1 more mpg than the actual manual calculation. Overall Im really satisfied with the car. After about 500 miles of break-in, the car seems to run more smoothly and a little faster. Give it a try and youll like it.

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  You must have soul to buy a Soul - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Jack Schwartz - November 28 - 6:51 pm

  Great vehicle for running errands around town. A lot of room for what looks like a small car.

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  Good Enough to Drive - 2010 Kia Soul
  By A.W. - November 28 - 12:46 pm

  I like my Kia Soul.It is a nice car It gets me from point A to Point B. Problem is has large blind spots almost got into two accidents in two different ocations I really had to move my whole body just to make sure there is no one beside me in order to get into the choosen lane.I also feel the road bumps :( those are my experiences with my Kia. Its cute,But..... they have there flaws.

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  18 Months... the Paint!! - 2011 Kia Soul
  By hamster_rider - October 5 - 11:27 pm

  So Ive owned my Kia Soul for 18 months, still love driving it, maintenance is a no brainer, however, while washing it today I noticed a fine rusting (white car) on most panels, even the major plastic pieces!! I will be calling Monday for an appointment, I just am putting it out there for others to watch for, I live in Florida so no winter conditions here, no road salt etc. I will update after it gets looked at. Others have posted with paint issues, better safe I guess. The only problem with the car to date is the brake light switch at the pedal failed and it took the dealer 5 days to get me in to replace the switch, which of course was a warranty repair. So no brakes for 5 days

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  Bought it out of the lease - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Douglas Ramey - September 17 - 9:30 pm

  Nice little car, roomy for a big guy in front seat. Decent cargo space

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  so far so good. - 2011 Kia Soul
  By tegen - July 24 - 9:36 pm

  I have had my Soul for a week and so far I like it. It handles well, Takes wind pretty good, taking a little adjusting since I had a Kia Rio5 before. Its taller then my last car. but has more space for the kids. though it wasnt my first choose. we looked at everything else on the lot. had a hard time getting past how ugly it was. looked at the books for the soul in the dealer ship. dicided it didnt look so bad when it wasnt Green. So we test drove one and now its sitting in my drive way still a little ugly but not so bad since its the Java color.