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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  Fun to drive with style! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By GMLLC - April 21 - 6:16 am

  Bought for my son as a high school graduation gift. He drove the Cube & xB & the Soul was by far his fave. Great style, fun to drive, very roomy inside & fantastic features standard in this model. Build quality is excellent. Stereo system rocks. Ipod connectivity works great. No complaints so far. Add the great warranty & you have a winner compared to the Nissan or Scion. Got 1.9% APR financing as well as a great deal. Nice job, Kia!

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  We Got Soul! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 1hcetih - April 16 - 6:03 pm

  What a ride handles great w/sport suspension a little harsh the ride on very rough rodes. 2litre engine is packed with get up and go from exit ramp to hiway speed 65 is very impressive. The interior seating and overall roomines is excellent. Again Sport suspension has its pluses when cornering Soul is sure footed no body roll around corners @ 45 + mph. VEry well equipped we added LED interior lighting and in rear cargo the factory light is poor we added strip Led lightinging to the left and right side along the upper and lower seam where the rear panels meet. 3k + miles and enjoy driving our Soul everyday. Soul is a Great CUV.

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  A new way to roll; and yes, its no mini, but thats GOOD. - 2011 Kia Soul
  By joe331 - April 13 - 9:37 am

  My previous car was a mini. Everything about this car is better as far as I am concerned with few exceptions. Its not fast, but, its still a lot of fun to drive and its plenty fast enough. It is easier to get in and out of than the mini, it holds 4 big adults comfortably, everything works well, The base stereoe sounds way better than the minis. Gas is a trade off, mine got a little better mileage but the soul burns regular. It shifts just fine with the manual trans; I have no idea what all the fuss about vague shifting is about ... I never miss a gear, the clutch is light and easy, shifting is effortless. A great car, looks good, engine even sounds better than the mini.

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  Great Value - 2010 Kia Soul
  By biznusav8r - April 8 - 4:33 am

  Just bought it tonight after looking for several weeks at xB, Fit, Element & Cube. All the included features and warranty just cant be beat. I wanted a manual transmission again to teach son how to drive and this will do just fine. Not sports car shifting/handling but not expecting that anyway. Our family of four is very comfortable around town which is 95% of drive time anyway. Very stable on road. 18" wheels slighty less give than 16" on the + model, but the rest of the ! features were worth it. So far so good!

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  Great little Crossover - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Jeff - March 26 - 4:10 am

  Great car! Love all the standard features provided.

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  LOVIN IT - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Kings - March 11 - 12:20 pm

  This is an awesome little car. We went from a gas guzzling Mazda 6 to this awesome 31 avg. MPG car. This is our very first new car and what a buy! There have been no issues. Our MPG is just amazing to us and we are saving money on our payments. If people dont like that it doesnt have auto everything I say to them,"QUIT BEING LAZY!". As for MPG, if ya cant get great milage, maybe try keepin it in ECO MODE or just try driving the speed limit. This isnt a Ford, Nissan, or GM, this is in a class of its own. One awesome car, way to go Kia.

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  Its Hip, Funky and Fun ... - 2010 Kia Soul
  By theFUNK - March 11 - 5:13 am

  Test driven the Soul 4u Burner(CDA spec) aka Sport, loved it and got it. The exterior styling is hip and good looking compared to the scion xB and nissan cube. The interior is also nice as well. Performance is pretty good. Its pretty speedy once your off accel. The engine noise is LOUD when you are up accelerating to the 1st and 2nd gear (gear ratios are high). When in cruising speed is pretty quiet compared to other economy cars. The manual transmission was pretty fun but is not that great. When you shift you dont feel that youre at that gear yet. So i might suggest automatic. Finally Kia has brightened their lineup with this. Really impressed.

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  The eye catcher - 2010 Kia Soul
  By JC - March 2 - 2:40 am

  It is great car very fun to drive and a lot of features for the price. I get compliments all the time and even invitations for dinner just to be able to get a ride in my SOul...lol...Great car....way to go Kia...you made it big this time. For those that are interested on joining a Soul group you can visit the brand new www.kiasoulclub.com

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  2015 Kia Soul Exclaim w/ Umber2 pkg. - 2016 Kia Soul
  By BILL Shurtleff - February 28 - 2:55 pm

  This car has it all. I bought it used from a dealership in Dallas Texas. One previous owner. Clear carfax report. Came w/ all service info she had done. Only one smart key, and no spare tire. Ive ordered these 2 items online. Comfortable for 4 adults. Lots of room. Im 64" tall. Almost a stretch for me w/ drivers seat all the way back & and still lots of room in the back seat. Has a killer stereo, subscribed to SIRIUS XM radio. A fun car to drive.

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  fourth kia - 2010 Kia Soul
  By dan gaffen - February 14 - 6:13 pm

  The Soul is the fouth kia I have owned and all have been trouble free and well made. The Soul is a unique design inside and out. Its loaded with features you would normally pay for as an option. The ride and interior sound level is excellent. My only upgrade is the 315 watt sterio with sub woofer, lighted speakers and front center speaker, 8 total. I would highly recommend the soul to anyone looking for a mini suv.