Used 2021 Kia Soul for Sale nearColumbus, OH

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 4.46% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,748 listings available, which suggests you should have a healthy number of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul a good car?

Generally — the 2021 Kia Soul earns a 4.3/5 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 Soul also stands out for its easy-to-use technology and roomy cabin, which fit well with its role as a practical small crossover.

The trade-offs are clear: it does not offer all-wheel drive, its styling can be polarizing, and it can be noisy. Even so, the Soul’s use-case is straightforward — if you want a distinctive, space-efficient vehicle with value-focused appeal, it fits that brief well.

32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners describe the Soul as reliable and appreciate that it feels practical and easy to live with over time. The expert notes also point to a refined ride and a suspension setup that helps the vehicle stay planted and confident, which supports the sense that it’s built to be dependable in everyday use.

Kia’s warranty coverage adds another ownership advantage, and the model’s straightforward packaging can help keep long-term ownership simple. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the vehicle’s basic durability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and equipped the way you want.

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

At 70% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important on a used Soul because condition can vary meaningfully from one listing to the next. Focus on how the cabin, electronics, and suspension feel in person, since those are the areas you’ll interact with most.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the simplest version, while higher trims add features such as a larger touchscreen, keyless entry, automatic climate controls, remote start, and a sunroof. The base LX can also be paired with a Technology Package that adds advanced safety features and 16-inch alloy wheels.
• Powertrain: The standard setup uses a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 horsepower, paired with either a six-speed manual or a CVT. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 hp is also available, and front-wheel drive is standard.
• Safety package: The Soul includes available driver-assistance features such as 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, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. Many of these features are held back in added-cost options.
• Infotainment: The base model gets a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.25-inch touchscreen is available, along with HD radio, voice recognition, and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine with the CVT returns 28/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined, while 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 value case with the core design, standard tech, and the lowest price. It’s the trim to consider if you want the Soul’s personality without paying for extras.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it sits in the middle of the lineup and should give you a better balance of equipment and price than the base model.
• X-Line: Choose this if you want the more rugged-looking version and the updated suspension configuration mentioned for this trim.
• GT-Line: This trim is aimed at shoppers who want a sportier appearance and the same suspension update mentioned for the X-Line.
• EX: This is the comfort-and-convenience step up, with upscale standard features such as keyless entry, automatic climate controls, remote start, and a sunroof.
• Turbo: Pick this if you want the strongest powertrain in the lineup, since it pairs the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with the quickest-shifting transmission.

The base LX is available with a Technology Package that adds a long list of advanced safety features, so safety-minded shoppers should pay close attention to that option.

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

The market looks moderate, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,748 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.46% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,624, 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 $13,643 sits slightly below last year's $14,279.

That softer pricing suggests the Soul has become more accessible for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face a more competitive resale environment. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you can help protect your value better over time. The model’s broad appeal and practical packaging should still support demand among shoppers looking for something distinctive and useful.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul safe?

The 2021 Kia Soul earns a 2021 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and it earns four-star ratings overall from NHTSA, including four-star ratings for front crash safety and rollover resistance and five-star ratings for side crash safety.

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

The Soul’s 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, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. Many of those features are reserved for higher trims or added-cost packages, so you should check carefully to see what a specific used listing includes.

One caveat is that headlight performance varies by trim level, with a Good or Poor result depending on configuration.

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:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.46% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 update is modest, with a standard rear occupant alert and revised suspension setups for the X-Line and GT-Line.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,637, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,643 average.
• It blends small-SUV utility with compact-car efficiency.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model-year pricing context and the 2021 updates, this year makes sense. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Soul’s core appeal.

How does the 2021 Kia Soul compare to the 2021 Honda HR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Kia Soul:

• Pros: Stylish design, Spacious, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available, Potentially polarizing design, Noisy.

2021 Honda HR-V:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Comfortable, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Poor visibility, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Kia Soul 7/10 and the 2021 Honda HR-V 6.8/10. The Soul looks like the better value if you care most about style, space, and easy tech. The HR-V counters with standard advanced safety features and a more comfortable driving experience, but its outdated technology and poor visibility are notable drawbacks.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.