Used 2021 Kia Soul for Sale nearAustin, TX

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 5.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,677 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Kia Soul earns a 4.33/5 user rating and a 7.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its unique design, comfortable interior, and practical features. The review summary also points to its reliability and ease of entry, which matters if you want something easy to live with day to day. On the expert side, the Soul’s style, space, and easy-to-use technology make it a strong fit if you want a small vehicle that feels more useful than its footprint suggests.

The trade-offs are familiar: all-wheel drive is not available, the design may not appeal to everyone, and road noise can be noticeable. Even so, the Soul’s broad appeal and practical packaging make it a sensible choice if you value personality and usability together.

Only 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the best examples may require quick action.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?

Owners rate it 4.33/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback highlights reliability, and it also suggests the Soul is dependable enough that many shoppers appreciate it for everyday use and easier ownership. The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the Soul as a vehicle that remains useful and composed across configurations, with a refined ride and solid value.

Kia’s long warranty coverage also helps reduce ownership anxiety, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for a while. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the basic formula and more about finding a well-maintained example with the features and condition you want.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Kia Soul?

At 71.7% 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 you are comparing multiple listings at similar prices. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the equipment on the car matches what you expect from the trim. If you are shopping near the lower end of the price range, make sure the savings are not hiding repair needs or accident-related issues.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin ranges from a standard 7-inch touchscreen to an available 10.3-inch touchscreen, and higher trims add upscale touches such as keyless entry, automatic climate controls, remote start, and a sunroof. The base setup is simpler, so you should check whether the features you want are standard or only available on a higher trim.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine can be paired with a six-speed manual or CVT, while the turbo uses a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
• Safety package: The available driver-assistance suite includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, lane change assist, driver attention monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert/rear collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. Most of these features are held back in added-cost options, and the base LX can be equipped with a Technology Package that adds a long list of advanced safety features.
• Infotainment: The base model gets a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus six speakers, USB ports, Bluetooth, two 12-volt outlets, steering wheel-mounted controls, and power windows/door locks. An available 10.25-inch touchscreen adds HD radio and voice recognition, and Kia’s Uvo interface is designed to be simple and quick to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.0-liter engine returns 26/31/27 mpg city/highway/combined with the manual transmission, 28/33/30 mpg with the CVT, and the turbocharged engine returns 27/32/29 mpg.

Which 2021 Kia Soul trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia Soul is offered in 6 trim levels: LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, and it makes the Soul’s core strengths accessible at the lowest price. It gives you the basic cabin, the standard infotainment setup, and the option to add the Technology Package if you want more safety equipment without moving up a trim.
• S: This trim is the value step if you want a better balance of price and equipment than the LX. It sits in the middle of the lineup and is a sensible choice if you want more features without jumping to the pricier upper trims.
• X-Line: This trim adds a distinct look and, for 2021, gets new suspension tuning. It suits you if you want a more styled version of the Soul without going all the way to the top of the range.
• GT-Line: This trim also gets new suspension tuning for 2021 and leans into a sportier presentation. It is the one to consider if you want a more expressive version of the Soul with a stronger personality.
• EX: This is the comfort-focused choice if you want more upscale standard equipment. It is a good fit if you care more about convenience and everyday livability than chasing the lowest price.
• Turbo: This is the top model and the one to choose if you want the strongest engine in the lineup. It is the best fit for buyers who want the most power and are willing to pay for it.

The base LX can be equipped with a Technology Package that adds a long list of advanced safety features, so it is worth comparing that package against the higher trims before you decide.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Kia Soul?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without assuming every listing is a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,677 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,628, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia Soul's resale value?

The current average of $13,821 sits slightly below last year's $14,594.

That softer pricing suggests the Soul is currently more buyer-friendly than seller-friendly, which can matter if you plan to trade it in soon. If you buy at the right price now and keep the car in good condition, you may be able to limit depreciation pressure later. The model’s broad appeal and practical reputation should help it remain easy to market, even if prices have eased.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.33/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul safe?

The Kia Soul earns a 2021 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives it four stars overall. It earns four stars for front crash safety, five stars for side crash safety, and four stars for rollover resistance.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The available safety equipment includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, lane change assist, driver attention monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert/rear collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. Most driver-assistance features are held back in added-cost options, and the base LX can be equipped with a Technology Package that adds a long list of advanced safety features.

One caveat to keep in mind is that headlight performance varies by trim level, so you should check the exact equipment on any listing you are considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Soul or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.30% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds a standard rear occupant alert and updated suspension configurations for the X-Line and GT-Line.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,672, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,821 average.
• It blends small-SUV utility with compact-car efficiency.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced pick, the 2021 is the stronger choice because it combines a softer market price with updated equipment and strong owner satisfaction. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value path, especially if you find one in clean condition with the features you need.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.