Used 2020 Kia Soul for Sale near California

How much does the 2020 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 6.65% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,551 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable range of choices.

Is the 2020 Kia Soul a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Kia Soul earns a 4.67/5 user rating and an 8.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, fun driving experience, stylish design, and modern features. The Soul also comes through as a strong value pick, with easy-to-use technology and good gas mileage showing up as recurring positives.

The trade-offs are that the engine can feel short on power and some comfort issues come up in owner feedback. In practice, that means you’re getting a practical, distinctive small vehicle that works well if you want utility and personality without paying SUV money.

With a 30.9% good-or-great-deal share, the market still offers some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Kia Soul reliable?

Owners rate it 4.67/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free feel, with praise for the car’s value, safety features, and everyday livability. The expert evaluation reinforces that sense of durability by describing the Soul as refined, quiet under acceleration, and well balanced in normal driving.

The cost-effectiveness notes also support ownership confidence by emphasizing the Soul’s strong value proposition and practical utility. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that condition and maintenance history matter more than the badge itself, especially on higher-mileage examples.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Kia Soul?

At 66.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually strong. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment level matches the trim being advertised.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is pretty basic, with 16-inch steel wheels, manual front-seat adjustments, one USB input, Bluetooth connectivity, power windows, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S adds alloy wheels, body-color mirrors, premium cloth seats, remote keyless entry, and more driver-assistance features, while the EX brings a larger 10.25-inch screen, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power driver’s seat. CarGurus recommends the S trim as the best-value choice because it adds meaningful equipment without the higher trim price.
• Powertrain: Most trims use a 2-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The LX also offers a 6-speed manual, while the GT-Line Turbo uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
• Safety package: The S trim adds forward-collision warning and avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-path detection. The X-Line loses forward-collision warning, while the EX brings it back, and the GT-Line Turbo adds adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and pedestrian detection.
• Infotainment: The LX, S, X-Line, and GT-Line use a 7-inch screen, while the EX and GT Turbo get a 10.25-inch display. All trims include Kia’s UVO system plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2-liter automatic returns 27 mpg city, 33 highway, and 30 combined. The base LX with the manual returns 25 mpg city, 31 highway, and 27 combined, while the turbo model returns 27 mpg city, 32 highway, and 29 combined.

Which 2020 Kia Soul trim should I buy?

The 2020 Kia Soul is offered in 6 trim levels: LX, S, X-Line, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the cheapest way in, and it gives you the Soul’s core practicality plus the 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and are comfortable giving up most convenience and driver-assistance features.
• S: This is the best-value trim. It adds alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, premium cloth seats, and a much more useful safety package, which is why it stands out as the smart buy for most shoppers.
• X-Line: This trim adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and more adventurous-looking body cladding, but it also loses forward-collision warning. It’s mainly for you if styling matters more than feature value.
• EX: This is the comfort-and-tech upgrade, with the larger 10.25-inch screen, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power driver’s seat. It suits you if you want a more upscale daily driver.
• GT-Line: This trim focuses on appearance with unique fascias and side sills, plus 18-inch alloy wheels. It’s the pick if you want a sportier look without stepping up to the turbo model.
• GT-Line Turbo: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the 201-hp turbo engine, dual-clutch transmission, upgraded interior features, and added pedestrian detection. It’s the right pick if you want the strongest acceleration and the most equipment.

The safety-package sweet spot is the S trim, since it adds the most meaningful driver-assistance content without forcing you into the pricier upper trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Kia Soul?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,551 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.65% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 66.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,586, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Kia Soul's resale value?

The current average of $12,705 sits slightly below last year's $13,610.

That decline suggests the Soul has already absorbed some of its near-term depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. A lower current entry point can make it easier to hold value relative to what you pay today, especially if you choose a well-equipped trim with broad appeal.

The market also appears to support steady demand for the Soul’s practical, distinctive formula. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.67/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Kia Soul safe?

The 2020 Kia Soul earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, hill-start assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The S trim adds forward-collision warning and avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-path detection.

There is a trim-level caveat to keep in mind: the X-Line loses forward-collision warning, though it returns on the EX. The GT-Line Turbo adds adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and pedestrian detection for the forward-collision system.

Should I buy a 2020 Kia Soul or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 66.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.65% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 stands out for refined driving dynamics, a lower starting price than most competitors, and form and function delivered in equal quantities.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $13,920, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $12,705 average.
• It adds a standard rear occupant alert.

The bottom line: If you want the better value play, the 2020 is the stronger buy because it combines a lower average price with solid owner satisfaction and a broad set of practical strengths. If you’re willing to pay more for a slightly newer model and a few incremental updates, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.