Used 2020 Kia Soul for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2020 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 8.52% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,505 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price and condition.

Is the 2020 Kia Soul a good car?

Yes — 4.67/5 from owners, and the expert rating is 8.5/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, stylish design, fun driving experience, and easy-to-use technology. The Soul also gets credit for being a strong value and for delivering good gas mileage.

The trade-offs are that performance is fairly pedestrian and some drivers wish for more power. The overview also frames it as a practical, lower-priced alternative to small hatchbacks and subcompact SUVs, so it makes the most sense if you want utility and personality more than speed.

With 28.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 Kia Soul reliable?

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

Owners describe it as dependable, trouble-free, and a car they can count on, with praise centered on its gas mileage and overall value. The expert evaluation also points to refined driving behavior and solid acceleration from the base engine, which supports the sense that it is an easy vehicle to live with over time.

The cost-effectiveness notes also reinforce the Soul’s practical ownership case by emphasizing its value-focused packaging and efficient use of space. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the concept and more about finding a well-kept example with the right equipment and condition.

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

At 67.3% 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 attractive. Focus on condition, equipment completeness, and whether the car has the safety features you want, since some important driver-assistance items are not standard across the lineup.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is pretty basic, with steel wheels, manual front-seat adjustments, one USB input, Bluetooth connectivity, power windows, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The S adds alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, premium cloth seats, and more driver-assistance features, while the EX adds more comfort and convenience equipment plus the larger screen. CarGurus recommends the S trim as the best-value choice because it adds meaningful equipment without the styling premium of the X-Line.
• Powertrain: Most trims use a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The LX also offers a 6-speed manual transmission, and the GT-Line Turbo uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque plus a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The base engine is described as refined and surprisingly capable for everyday driving.
• 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. 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 use a 10.25-inch screen. All trims get Kia’s UVO system plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the larger screen is a major upgrade if your budget allows it.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2-liter engine with automatic transmission returns 27 mpg city, 33 highway, and 30 combined. The base LX with a manual transmission returns 25 mpg city, 31 highway, and 27 combined. The Turbo returns 27 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 into the Soul, but it is very bare-bones. You get the 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which helps, but the rest of the equipment list is sparse. It makes sense only if your priority is the lowest possible entry price.
• S: This is the best-value trim. It adds alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, premium cloth seats, and a strong set of driver-assistance features, making it the sweet spot for most shoppers.
• X-Line: This trim adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, body cladding, and a more adventurous look, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. It is for you if style matters more than value, but it loses forward-collision warning.
• EX: This is the comfort-focused upgrade, with heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and the larger 10.25-inch screen. It is a good pick if you want a more upscale daily driver.
• GT-Line: This trim adds unique exterior styling and 18-inch alloy wheels. It is the choice if you want a sportier appearance without stepping up to the turbo model.
• GT-Line Turbo: This is the most powerful and best-equipped version, with the turbo engine, upgraded interior details, a premium sound system, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian detection. It is the right pick if you want the most performance and features.

The safety-package gap to keep in mind is that the X-Line loses forward-collision warning, while the EX restores it.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,505 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.52% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 67.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $12,580, 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 $12,580 sits slightly below last year's $13,751.

That price movement suggests the Soul has softened enough to help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means future sellers may face some pressure if the market stays soft. If you buy well and keep the car in strong condition, you should be better positioned to protect value later.

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. 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.

One important caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup, so you need to check trim carefully if those systems matter to you.

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:

• 28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 67.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.52% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It delivers refined driving dynamics, a lower starting price than many rivals, and standout form-and-function balance.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $13,831, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $12,580 average.
• It adds a standard rear occupant alert.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter buy because pricing has softened and the Soul still delivers the space, tech, and personality that make it appealing. If you are willing to pay more for a slightly newer model with a small safety update, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative for price-insensitive buyers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.