Used 2021 Kia Soul for Sale nearSanta Barbara, CA

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 6.22% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,648 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $13,654.68, 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 with some clear compromises. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its unique design, comfortable interior, and practical features, and many also value its reliability and easy entry. The expert review backs up that usefulness with a stylish design, a spacious cabin, and easy-to-use technology.

The trade-offs are straightforward: it does not offer all-wheel drive, the design can be polarizing, and road noise can be noticeable. That means you should like the Soul’s personality as much as its packaging, especially if you want a small vehicle that feels more versatile than its footprint suggests.

With 26.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have 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 feedback also points to a vehicle that many people find reliable, dependable, and easy to count on over time. The expert review reinforces that impression with a refined, confidence-inspiring driving character and a powertrain lineup that is built for everyday use rather than drama.

Kia’s warranty coverage also helps reduce ownership anxiety, especially if you’re buying used and want some extra cushion against unexpected repair costs. For a used buyer, the main long-term risk is less about the Soul’s basic concept and more about how well the specific example was maintained and equipped.

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 has had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the equipment you want is actually present on the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX starts with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims add a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen and upscale convenience features such as keyless entry, automatic climate controls, remote start, and a sunroof.
• Powertrain: You can choose between 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 pairs with a manual or CVT, while the turbo uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
• Safety package: The 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, and the base LX can be equipped with a Technology Package.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while an available 10.25-inch touchscreen adds HD radio and voice recognition.
• 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, but it still gives you the Soul’s core strengths, including the standard 7-inch touchscreen and the model’s easy-to-use layout. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the lineup, though you’ll want to check whether the available Technology Package is included if safety features matter to you.
• S: This trim is the first step up if you want a better balance of equipment and value without jumping too far in price. It should suit you if you want more comfort and convenience than the LX while staying focused on affordability.
• X-Line: This trim adds a more distinctive look and revised suspension tuning, so it’s the one to consider if you want a more styled-up Soul with a different personality.
• GT-Line: Like the X-Line, this trim gets suspension changes and a sportier presentation, making it a good fit if you want the Soul’s practicality with a more expressive feel.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it moves you into the more upscale side of the lineup with the kind of comfort and convenience features that make daily use easier.
• Turbo: Choose this if you want the strongest powertrain in the lineup and the most performance-oriented driving experience the Soul offers.

The available safety features are spread across the lineup rather than bundled into every trim, so check carefully for the driver-assistance equipment you want.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 26.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,648 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.22% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,654.68, 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 $13,880 sits slightly below last year's $14,801.

That softer pricing suggests the Soul is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can work against a future seller if you buy at the wrong point in the cycle. On the other hand, the model’s broad appeal, practical layout, and strong value proposition can help support demand when it’s time to resell.

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 earned a 2021 Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, and NHTSA awarded it four-star ratings overall, with four-star ratings for front crash safety and rollover resistance and five-star ratings for side crash safety.

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

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, so you should verify exactly which systems are fitted on the used example you’re considering.

The IIHS result also notes that headlight performance varies by trim, which is worth checking if you drive often at night.

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:

• 26.9% 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 6.22% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a standard rear occupant alert and revised suspension tuning for the X-Line and GT-Line trims.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,707, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,880 average.
• It blends utility, efficiency, and driving refinement in a compact, boxy package.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2021 is the stronger pick because it combines a softer market price with solid owner satisfaction and useful updates. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value play, especially if you find one in strong condition with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.