Used 2021 Kia Soul for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 6.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,674 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

If you find a listing below $13,633.04, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Kia Soul earns a 4.33/5 user rating and a 7/10 expert rating, which points to broad appeal for everyday use. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its unique design, comfortable interior, and practical features, and many also call out its reliability and easy entry. That makes it especially appealing if you want something that feels friendly to live with and useful for daily errands or commuting.

The trade-offs are clear: it is not available with all-wheel drive, the design can be polarizing, and it can be noisy. Even so, the Soul’s roomy cabin and easy-to-use technology help it fit shoppers who want personality without giving up practicality.

With 30.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?

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

The owner summary points to reliability, ease of entry, and a car that many people feel comfortable counting on over time. That kind of feedback matters if you want a used vehicle that feels dependable for daily use and longer ownership.

The Soul’s powertrain lineup is straightforward, and the expert review describes the ride as refined and the vehicle as well sorted in normal driving. Kia’s warranty coverage also helps reduce ownership anxiety for newer used examples.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car has been maintained well and has not accumulated hidden wear from prior use.

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

At 72.3% 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 car is priced near the low end of the market. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim you think you are buying.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Soul is offered in LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, and Turbo trims. The cabin starts with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, while an available 10.3-inch touchscreen and upscale features such as keyless entry, automatic climate controls, remote start, and a sunroof appear on higher trims. The base LX can be a simpler setup, so check carefully for the features you want.
• Powertrain: The base setup uses a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or an available CVT. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque is also available, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is not offered.
• Safety package: Available driver-assistance features include 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, so verify exactly what is installed.
• Infotainment: The base system uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An available 10.25-inch touchscreen adds HD radio and voice recognition, and Kia also offers a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.0-liter engine with the manual transmission is rated at 26/31/27 mpg city/highway/combined, the CVT version at 28/33/30 mpg, and the turbocharged engine at 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 gives you the Soul’s core personality, standard 7-inch touchscreen, and the lowest starting price. It makes sense if you want the most affordable way into the model, but you should check whether the available Technology Package is included if you want more advanced safety equipment.
• S: This trim is the better value for many shoppers because it moves you up the lineup without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims. It is a smart choice if you want a more balanced mix of features and price.
• X-Line: Choose this if you want one of the more distinctive-looking versions and you like the added character of the trim. It also gets the updated suspension configuration mentioned for 2021.
• GT-Line: This is the trim to consider if you want a sportier appearance and the updated suspension configuration. It sits in the middle of the range and adds more visual flair without going all the way to the top.
• EX: This is the comfort-focused pick if you want more upscale standard equipment such as keyless entry, automatic climate controls, remote start, and a sunroof. It is a strong choice if you plan to keep the car for a while and want a more polished daily driver.
• Turbo: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the 201-hp turbocharged engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Buy this if you want the strongest acceleration and do not mind paying more for it.

Most driver-assistance features are held back in added-cost options, so check the exact safety equipment on any trim before you buy.

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

The market looks moderate and selective, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,674 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,633.04, 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 $13,853 sits slightly below last year's $14,795.

That price movement suggests the Soul has softened enough to help you buy more carefully today, but it also means future sellers may face some pressure if the market stays soft. If you buy well now, you may be starting from a more favorable entry price than owners did a year ago.

The model’s broad appeal, practical cabin, and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand over time. 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 2021 Kia Soul earned a 2021 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and four stars overall from NHTSA. It earns four-star ratings in front crash safety and rollover resistance, and five-star ratings in side crash safety.

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

The Soul’s safety 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, so you should verify the exact equipment on the car you are considering.

The IIHS result also notes that headlight performance varies by trim level, so it is worth checking the specific lighting setup on any used example.

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:

• 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a standard rear occupant alert and updated suspension configurations for the X-Line and GT-Line.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,644, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,853 average.
• It blends small-SUV utility with compact-car efficiency and driving refinement.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2021 is the stronger pick because it combines softer pricing, solid inventory, and meaningful safety and usability appeal. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value play, especially if you find one in clean condition with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.