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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  Kia Soul! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By SoulChick - June 20 - 6:33 pm

  I purchased my Soul! about a week ago and it has been nothing but fun. Already have 517 miles on it! The car is fun to drive, I am getting 26.5 MPG. I would say that is with 75% city driving and 25% highway. I live in South Florida, the A/C is always freezing. Plenty of space for hauling plans for work. Great car for the money! People need to understand it is a $16,000 car, not $40,000. Expect a little road noise and imperfections. I used to have a Nissan Armada with all of the bells and whistles, but I would trade that for this car any day. Much more fun to drive! Will post another review in a month to see if I feel the same way!

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  Love it all but.... - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Soooooouuuuulllllll - May 30 - 2:10 pm

  I just recently bought this vehicle to replace a dying 15 year old Pontiac. Like everyone else, I have complaints about the scuffing on the interior and how easy that is. Otherwise I think its pretty neat so far. However, I live in Michigan and we get a lot of snow. The Soul does not do well climbing out of two inches of snow, which is disappointing considering the size and the lift of the vehicle. Have a set of chains or a shovel ready. :

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  Simple Quality with a little style - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Gregg - May 24 - 5:26 pm

  I was shocked that I bought a Kia, but a friend said to test drive one and I was done shopping. Fit and Finish equal or better than Toyota. Price thousands less for more car. I own a restaurant and needed more space to haul catering orders than my MINI could fit.

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  Awesome Alien Green machine - 2015 Kia Soul
  By 2015soulman - May 17 - 2:20 am

  I love this car I have 1322 miles on it now I got it with only 2 miles on it even with the 130 horse power engine It does just fine getting out there and going. I have already carried 300 lbs of quickcrete a type of cement mix in the back and it rode great. I also live in ithaca NY its a very hilly town and i have no problems. I originally went to the Kia because I did not like the performance or the sketchy reilability of the CVT transmission everybody is trying to pass off. Except Kia and a few others But what I got was a roomy cool smooth shifting cool vechicle. we are tall people and could not find good back seat space / room in a car under 17000 bucks in any brand. My soul has tons

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2010 Kia Soul
  By ennasus - May 15 - 1:00 pm

  Love my new Kia Soul. Purchased my funky little SUV for Foster Kia. The customer service was excellent and staff was knowlegable. Fun and easy to drive (parallel parking was a breeze). I would definately recommend buying a Soul from Foster Kia. My friends love that the speakers light up. It looks like Ive added a lot of fancy accesories to it, but in fact they come with all the extras which is a bonus. My sales rep was so patient and helpful when trying to decide on a colour.

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  My Little Red Wagon - 2014 Kia Soul
  By jimcokc - May 12 - 8:25 pm

  I am a senior and this vehicle is easy to get into and out of. You set up high for better view out which is good except for out the rear corners. The fairly large mirrors and backup camera minimize this problem. The initial quality was very good(fit and finish). Vehicle was driven on a 3k mile trip of country roads and mountains from Oklahoma to North Carolina and was comfortable and fun to drive,averaged 31.2 mpg with two people and loaded.(4k miles) Car seems to get the best mileage if you stay at 70mph or less. A little bouncy on rough roads but cruises nicely on the open road. Steering is tight and brakes are good,a little touchy until you get used to them. Overall great car

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  A great little run about and a real value - 2011 Kia Soul
  By landric - May 7 - 6:49 pm

  My wife & I traded our 2004 Dodge Caravan SE on a base model Soul. We bought the Caravan used in 2009 when we discovered the day before our twin sons were born that a rear facing car seat did not fit behind the drivers seat of our 2006 Matrix and still allow me enough room to drive. Last year we purchased a new 2009 Kia Sedona on clearance for a great price as our primary family vehicle. Because of our great experience with the Sedona, we decided to look at the Soul for an around town run about, primarily for my wife. We went with the base 1.6/5-Speed to maximize economy and value. With the owner loyalty rebate we paid less than $13,000, this little car is a fantastic value & fun!

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  Love my soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Jaras500 - April 21 - 12:43 am

  Husband just picked up a Kia soul automatic and we love it. Its fun to drive, comfortable to ride in, and has plenty of room inside. We got the alien green color which makes the vehicle look sharp. Going from driving a Chevy Cobalt to a Kia Soul is like night and day. The Kia soul is better quality, more features for less money, and a much better driving experience. I feel safe driving in the Soul and my daughter has plenty of room to stretch out her legs. I look forward to taking many trips together as a family. I would recommend the Kia brand to anyone looking to buy a good quality car.

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  3 years later - 2010 Kia Soul
  By abuffardi77 - April 16 - 7:53 pm

  Initially, was overwhelmed by style and appearance at first thinking this vehicle had everything I wanted, 18" rims, two tone interior, great audio, and even pretty good MPG. Was hoping it would turn my nightmarish 100 mile commute into something fun. Now, I dislike the Soul quite a bit. Its too big for me, 18" are too wide for superior snow, wet, and mud traction, ride too rough, road noise too loud, MPG is not up to par, seats are uncomfortable, the interior is cheaply made, not enough power, 4 speed auto transmission is horrible, and even the dealership was shady.

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  Its early, but so far so good. - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Soul man - April 1 - 6:43 am

  I was shopping for a 2006 Scion xB(the newer one grew way too big and milage sux), but it was hard to find a good one where I live, so I checked out the Soul. For only about $1,000.00 more than a used 2005-2006 xB I got a 2010 Soul with the great warranty. This box on wheels is a bit longer than the xB with a tad more room behind the rear seats and a longer hood. It is ugly with far to "busy" exterior styling. I prefer the early xB or the Cube for looks but the interior is laid out better in the Soul with the instrument cluster in front of the driver for easier visual access. I wanted the best gas mileage so I chose the base model, 1.6 L engine with no automatic transmission available.