Quirky yet practical, the Kia Soul is a subcompact hatchback with a similar ethos to boxy Japanese cars such as the Nissan Cube, the Scion xB, and the Honda Element. Along with the Forte sedan and Sportage SUV, the Soul played a major part in recalibrating Kia's public image away from decrepit, bottom-dollar discount cars to an appealing but still value-conscious brand. The Soul was well-made, affordable, and funky enough to stand out, while tempering the total weirdness of the Cube or tinier microcars such as the Smart ForTwo and the Scion iQ.
Discontinued after the 2025 model year, the Soul was available in three generations starting in the 2010 model year. An electric version, the Soul EV, was available in very limited numbers in specific states for the 2015-2019 model years. Later Soul models have more connectivity, safety, power, and convenience features. All are essentially the same in size and purpose. There is a lot of space inside a Soul, and a lot of standard features across all trims.
Our buying guide looks at how the model has evolved over time, and which are the best and worst versions to buy.
Kia Soul Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Kia Soul Generations
- Kia Soul Third Generation (2020-2025)
- Kia Soul Second Generation (2014-2019)
- Kia Soul First Generation (2010-2013)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kia Soul years are the best?
The final model years (2024 and 2025) are the best, as they offer the most modern features and safety—and in some cases, are still new or like-new—at reasonable prices.
Which Kia Soul years are the worst?
Early first-generation Souls are old but not problematic. Engine problems can be an issue for 2012-2016 second-generation cars, with a recall issued due to a number of engine failures and fires. The 2021-2023 models are also subject to a recall due to engine issues (in particular, piston rings that can damage the cylinders), and engine replacements were common. Even if the car was repaired, the repair may not be sufficient to last long-term, as Kia dealers installed vibration sensors on many cars without replacing the engines. The 2023 Soul also had side curtain airbags that could randomly deploy.
Is a used Kia Soul a good deal?
The Kia Soul can be a good deal if you’re looking for a car that’s small and affordable, yet practical, but check that any recall work has been done.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique styling
- Lots of room
- Good value
Cons:
- Noisy first-generation model
- Earlier models are slow
- Some concerns over reliability and recalls
Kia Soul Generations
Kia Soul Third Generation (2020-2025)
The third-gen Soul was built on a new chassis with Kia's most current technology, powertrains, and safety features. While frivolous features such as a "Hey! Yo!" mode for the audio-syncing speaker lights were introduced, there were more worthwhile upgrades in the form of dual-zone climate control and wireless phone charging, as well as a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase and 2.2-inch longer total length, that allowed for more comfort and interior space.
A new 2.0-liter inline-four engine made 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque to replace the base 1.6-liter. While it still offered a six-speed manual transmission, the previous six-speed automatic switched to a continuously variable transmission. Fuel economy ranged from 30-31 mpg, an improvement of about 10% over the previous model. The turbo engine and the dual-clutch transmission carried over as optional on the GT-Line trim.
More trims were added: LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, and the EX Designer Collection. Available features included a 10.25-inch touchscreen that was standard on EX and GT-Line Turbo, rear privacy glass, a head-up display, and 10-speaker Harman Kardon stereo with a subwoofer. Available driver assist features included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, driver-attention warning, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. Heated front seats were standard on EX models and above, while the X-Line featured bigger fenders, so-called "off-road-inspired" accents, and body cladding.
For 2021, the Soul GT-Line Turbo was renamed Soul Turbo, remote start was added as a physical button on the key fob of EX and Turbo trims, rear occupant alert was standard, and the X-Line and GT-Line 2.0 trims had revised shock absorbers.
For 2022, Kia discontinued the manual transmission which was only on the LX. The S, X-Line, and GT-Line now had as standard the big touchscreen, navigation, dual-zone climate, push-button start, wireless charger, and two USB ports. The LX could now be ordered with driver assist and 16-inch alloy wheels.
For 2023, Kia revised the front and rear fascias, added optional LED headlights, changed the wheels, and introduced two new two-tone paint schemes. The X-Line and the Turbo were discontinued. Optional driver assistance features, such as lane-keep assist, were now standard. Highway Drive Assist, a semi-automated feature, was optional on the GT-Line.
For 2024, an EX Designer Package added 18-inch wheels and a unique cloth and vinyl interior. To prevent theft, Kia also made the smart key "sleep" so it would not transmit a wireless signal after 40 seconds. For the 2025 Kia Soul, a Soulmate Special Edition package was optional.
Prices for a clean Kia Soul of this generation range from around $8,000 for high-mileage examples to as high as $28,000 for later, low-mileage models.
Kia Soul Second Generation (2014-2019)
The second-gen Soul kept the original's formula and footprint, but looked much neater. While the overall shape was similar, its smoother sides, higher front grille and more balanced proportions made it look less like a tall hatchback and more like a scaled-down SUV.
The chassis was slightly longer, wider, and stiffer. Kia promised a quieter cabin, a flatter torque curve for more performance, and suspension upgrades to make it handle better and ride smoother. The tailgate opened 2.4 inches higher for easier access to the cargo area (with 24.2 cubic feet of space). Interior features were upgraded and a wealth of circular design elements and extra soft-touch materials gave it a more high-end look and feel.
The trims were renamed to actual words instead of characters and punctuation marks. The sport was dropped. Base trims had power windows, heated mirrors, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. The Plus had 17-inch alloy wheels, a storage box in the floor console, a backup camera, and a rear-seat armrest. Exclaim trim added navigation on an 8-inch touchscreen display, an Infinity sound system, fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, cooled front seats with a 10-way power driver's seat, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Also standard on Exclaim were LED accents on the headlights and taillights, xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels, a cooled glove box, and gloss-black interior trim.
The 1.6-liter inline-four now made 130 hp and 118 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard, while a six-speed automatic was optional and standard on Plus and Exclaim trims. The upper trims had a 2.0-liter inline-four, updated with direct injection, that made 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Soul had three modes for the steering effort that the driver could select.
For 2015, Kia added its UVO eServices remote connectivity and introduced in-car compatibility with apps such as Pandora, iHeart Radio, Yelp, and more through a connected smartphone. A backup camera, automatic headlights, and foglights were now standard. The Caribbean Blue and Red Zone 2.0 were special editions with unique colors and trim. Nappa leather was newly available on the Exclaim trim with a Fathom Blue or Cloud White exterior.
The new Kia Soul EV was introduced in 2015, initially only for California, as an electric version with 93 miles of estimated range from its 27-kWh battery. The single motor made 109 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque.
For 2016, Kia made 16-inch alloy wheels standard and got rid of the steel wheels. Oddly, it also removed the backup camera and automatic headlights and made them part of a new option package. The Plus trim now received those features as standard, along with fog lights. A Designer Collection package on this trim offered black-spoked 18-inch wheels, two-tone roof, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Exclaim now had standard leather, but Kia again downgraded specs (from 18- to 17-inch wheels and from projector to halogen headlights). Forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems were newly optional. The Soul EV added a third trim, two exterior colors, illuminated USB and aux ports, a charging connector lock, and a standard heat pump.
The 2017 Soul introduced a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four with 201 hp and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission on the Exclaim trim, which also now included larger front brakes, a D-shaped steering wheel, and xenon headlights. Blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Exclaim and Plus. Driving modes were added to all trims. A new UVO3 infotainment system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that was optional on the Plus. A power front passenger seat was also newly optional. Additional features on the Soul EV included more remote connectivity, a pedestrian warning sound, faster charging, new wheels, and other minor upgrades.
The 2018 Soul made UVO3 and automatic climate optional on the base trim. UVO3 was made standard on Plus. Forward emergency braking and adaptive cruise control were optional on Plus. The Soul EV increased its range to 111 miles due to a larger 30-kWh battery.
For 2019, a backup camera was standard (as required by law) along with automatic headlights. The Soul EV was discontinued after 2019.
Used prices at the time of writing ranged from $5,000-$15,000, depending on year and mileage.
Kia Soul First Generation (2010-2013)
Unlike the Rondo, Spectra, Optima, and the rest of Kia's lineup in 2008, the Soul was created by American designers in southern California, not South Korea. The digital, breakdancing hamsters in the ads were playful, but the Soul as a car was serious. Kia had been selling bland, cheap vehicles for more than a decade, and low prices alone would not carry it into the future. A four-door, front-wheel-drive "hamstermobile" aimed at young people (although like Scion, the Soul would become more popular among old people) was the thinking behind the inaugural model.
Oversized blobs for headlights, vertical taillights, big wheels pushed to the corners, a nearly vertical tailgate, and a boxy shape made the Soul look like a lowered, downscaled commercial van. Inside, when optioned up, the speakers had accent lighting that could sync to the beat of music and random splashes of red covered the steering wheel airbag cover and the dash. The Soul was merely ok to drive, with a 1.6-liter or 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with no more than 142 hp and the choice of a five-speed manual (a loose and roughshod gearbox that was best avoided) or four-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain was gutless. It was the body style, the immense interior space for a small car, and the novelty of driving something with a personality from a brand that wasn’t known for interesting cars that gave the Soul some showroom appeal.
The initial Kia Soul trim level names broke convention through their use of punctuation marks and lowercase letters (+, !, and sport). The base car, which had no trim name, came with 15-inch steel wheels, power windows and locks, air conditioning, and a four-speaker stereo. What little amenities it had were offset by four-wheel disc brakes when most economy cars still had rear drums, active front headrests, and stability control (not mandated until 2012). The + added power mirrors, tinted rear glass, cruise control, Bluetooth, keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, body-colored external details, and an extra storage bin in the instrument panel. The ! had 18-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, fog lights, the beat-syncing stereo, and tan houndstooth cloth seat trim. The sport had a sport-tuned suspension, metal pedals, and bright red trim details throughout the cabin. The MSRP ranged from $13,300 to $18,600.
For 2011, Kia made power mirrors, Sirius radio, and MP3 compatibility standard. The ! and sport included heated mirrors as standard, while heated leather seats and push-button start were options. If you see a white or red 2011 Soul with decals and unique wheels, it is either the White Tiger or the Hamstar, which were sold as special editions.
The 2012 Soul upgraded to six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, improved power (138 hp on the 1.6-liter, 164 hp on the 2.0-liter) and better fuel efficiency (35 mpg highway, up from 31). New projector headlights with LED running lamps, LED taillights, new wheels, and a reshaped hood and bumpers were the major changes. An Infinity stereo was newly optional on the + and standard on the !. The ! included UVO, Kia's voice activation system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen and backup camera display. Automatic climate control was a new option as part of the Premium Package on ! trims. Moss was a new exterior color.
For 2013, power-folding mirrors were standard on the ! and an Eco Package with auto-stop/start and low-rolling-resistance tires was optional on the +. Bluetooth and cruise control were now standard and models with leather-wrapped steering wheels had better leather. Darker chrome trim surrounded the front grille.
Used examples can be had for less than $2,000, but expect to pay somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 if you want one with sensible mileage. As with any car of this age, finding one with a good maintenance history and taking a decent test drive could help you avoid a dud.
