Used 2021 Kia Soul for Sale nearWashington, DC

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 6.13% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,653 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 can matter a lot if you want a car that is simple to live with day to day.

The trade-offs are familiar ones: the design can be polarizing, and some versions leave you without certain convenience features. In use, that makes the Soul a strong fit if you want style, space, and easy-to-use tech in a compact package.

With 29.2% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?

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

The owner feedback highlights reliability, dependability, and a trouble-free ownership experience, especially for shoppers who want something they can count on. The expert review also describes the Soul as refined on the road and easy to live with, which supports the case for steady everyday use.

Kia’s long warranty coverage adds another ownership advantage, and that can help reduce worry over the long haul. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the model’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 72% 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 focus your inspection on body condition, repair quality, and signs of uneven wear. Because the Soul was offered with different trims and equipment levels, it also pays to confirm that the features you expect are actually present on the specific car you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the simplest version, while higher trims add more comfort, convenience, and tech. The base LX can also be paired with a Technology Package that adds advanced safety features and 16-inch alloy wheels.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a 2.0-liter inline-four with either a six-speed manual or CVT, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The turbo setup brings more power and stronger passing ability.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10.25-inch touchscreen is available, along with HD radio and voice recognition.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.0-liter engine returns 26/31/27 mpg with the manual, 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 gives you the Soul’s core personality, standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the basic value proposition that makes the model appealing. If you want the lowest-cost way into the lineup, this is the one to start with.
• S: This trim sits above the LX and is the better choice if you want a more rounded daily driver without jumping all the way to the upper end of the range. It’s the trim to watch if you want a stronger balance of equipment and price.
• X-Line: This version adds a more distinctive look and gets the new suspension configuration mentioned for 2021. It suits you if you want a little more style and a different feel without moving into the pricier trims.
• GT-Line: This trim also gets the new suspension configuration for 2021 and leans into a sportier presentation. It makes sense if you want the Soul’s personality with a more expressive appearance.
• EX: This is the comfort-oriented choice, with more upscale standard features than the lower trims. It’s a good fit if you want the Soul to feel more polished in everyday use.
• Turbo: This is the most powerful version, pairing the turbocharged engine with the dual-clutch transmission. Choose it if you care most about stronger acceleration and the most energetic driving experience.

The base LX can be paired with a Technology Package that adds a long list of advanced safety features, so it’s worth considering if safety tech matters most to you.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,653 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.13% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.0% 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 $13,797 sits slightly below last year's $14,699.

That softer pricing suggests the Soul is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can help you if you’re shopping used. For a future seller, it means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than on broad market momentum alone.

The good news is that the Soul’s practical appeal and strong owner satisfaction can help support demand when it’s time to sell. Well-kept examples with desirable features should remain easier to move than neglected ones.

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 earns a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS and 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 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 you should check carefully to see what a specific used example includes.

One caveat is that IIHS headlight performance varies by trim level, with some versions scoring better than others. That makes trim selection important if safety is a top priority.

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:

• 29.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.13% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds a standard rear occupant alert and updated suspension tuning for the X-Line and GT-Line.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,571, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,797 average.
• It offers a lower starting price and a more futuristic redesign.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced choice, the 2021 is the safer pick because it combines strong value, solid safety, and broad trim choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers the Soul’s core practicality.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.