Used 2021 Kia Soul for Sale nearNew York, NY

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 3.54% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,705 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 7/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its unique design, comfortable interior, and practical features, and they also value its easy entry and everyday usefulness. That lines up with the Soul’s use case as a distinctive, value-oriented subcompact SUV that still feels practical and easy to live with.

The trade-offs are that all-wheel drive is not available and the design may not appeal to everyone, while road noise can be noticeable. Even so, the market still shows 30.6% good or great deals, which suggests you can find worthwhile examples if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to reliability, practicality, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with many drivers saying they feel confident counting on it day to day. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Soul’s solid value and easy-to-live-with character, which supports the idea that it is built for routine use rather than constant fuss.

Kia’s warranty coverage adds another ownership advantage, and the model’s straightforward mechanical setup should help keep long-term ownership risk manageable for used buyers. Still, you should verify maintenance history and overall condition before you buy.

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

At 70.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report before you commit, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the listing has any accident or repair history. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and signs of uneven repair quality so you can separate a clean example from one that has been patched up.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from the LX to the Turbo, and the base LX is the one most likely to leave you wanting more equipment. Higher trims add more convenience and comfort features, while the LX can be paired with a Technology Package that adds advanced safety features and 16-inch alloy wheels.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with either a six-speed manual or CVT, plus an available turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The turbo brings more punch, while the base setup emphasizes efficiency and everyday usability.
• Safety package: The available driver-assistance list 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. Many of these features are held back in added-cost options, so check carefully for equipment gaps.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 10.25-inch screen is available with HD radio and voice recognition. Kia also offers a Harman Kardon audio system, and the interface is designed to be simple and easy to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.0-liter engine returns 26/31/27 mpg city/highway/combined with the manual and 28/33/30 mpg with the CVT, 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 sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Soul’s roomy cabin and easy-to-use tech. It is also the trim most likely to benefit from the available Technology Package, so it can be a smart value play if you want to build up features selectively.
• S: This trim is the first step up if you want a little more equipment without jumping too far in price. It should suit you if you want a balanced mix of value and convenience.
• X-Line: This trim adds a more rugged-looking personality and, for 2021, gets new suspension tuning. It is a good fit if you want a more distinctive appearance and a slightly different road feel.
• GT-Line: This is the better choice if you want a sportier look and the updated suspension setup. It is the trim to consider if style matters as much as everyday practicality.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it moves you into a more upscale feature set without going all the way to the top. If you want comfort and convenience features to feel more complete, this is the one to watch.
• Turbo: Choose this if you want the strongest powertrain and the most performance-oriented setup in the lineup. It is the right pick if you care most about extra power and quicker responses.

The LX can be equipped with the Technology Package, which adds a long list of advanced safety features.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,705 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.54% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,629, 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 $13,931 sits slightly below last year's $14,443.

That softer pricing suggests the Soul is currently more buyer-friendly than seller-friendly, which can matter if you plan to trade in soon. If you buy at the right price now, you may have less downside risk than someone who paid closer to last year’s average.

The model’s value-oriented reputation and broad appeal should help support demand over time, especially because shoppers often look for practical, distinctive small crossovers. If you keep mileage reasonable and maintain it well, you should be in a better position when it is time to sell.

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 earns four-star ratings overall from NHTSA, with 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 available driver-assistance list 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. One caveat is that many of these features are reserved for added-cost options, so you should confirm exactly what is installed on the used example 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:

• 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.54% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a standard rear occupant alert and new suspension configurations for the X-Line and GT-Line trims.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,750, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,931 average.
• It blends the utility of a small SUV with the efficiency and driving refinement of a compact car.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2021 is the stronger pick because it combines softened pricing, solid owner satisfaction, and useful updates. If your main goal is to spend less up front, the 2020 is the better value-focused alternative, especially if you find one in clean condition.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.