Used 2021 Kia Soul for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 3.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,708 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 7.0/10 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 commonly value its ease of entry and reliability. In expert testing, the Soul’s strengths include its stylish design, spaciousness, and easy-to-use technology.

The trade-offs are that all-wheel drive is not offered, the design can be polarizing, and road noise can be noticeable. That makes it a strong fit if you want a distinctive, useful subcompact SUV with broad appeal rather than a quiet, all-weather crossover.

With 31.2% 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 points to reliability, practicality, and a car that many drivers feel comfortable counting on over time. The expert evaluation also describes the Soul as a value-focused model with a useful, easy-to-live-with character, and Kia’s warranty coverage adds another ownership advantage.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and has no hidden issues from prior use.

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

At 71.5% 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 listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on condition, prior damage, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim you expect. If you’re comparing multiple listings, the cleanest example with the best maintenance history is usually the safer buy.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup ranges from LX to Turbo, and the base LX is the most stripped-down choice. Higher trims add more convenience and upscale equipment, 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, 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, while the base engine is the efficiency-oriented choice.
• Safety package: The Soul includes a driver-assistance suite with 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 needs the Technology Package for the fuller safety set.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus six speakers, Bluetooth, USB ports, and steering wheel-mounted controls. A 10.25-inch touchscreen is available, along with HD radio, voice recognition, and a Harman Kardon audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.0-liter engine returns 26/31/27 mpg 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, and Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, so it makes the most sense if you want the lowest price and are willing to keep equipment simple. It’s also the trim to consider if you plan to add the Technology Package for more advanced safety features.
• S: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it sits above the base trim without jumping all the way to the pricier upper models. It should suit you if you want a more balanced mix of features and price.
• X-Line: This trim is aimed at buyers who want a more distinctive look and the updated suspension configuration mentioned for this model year. It’s a good fit if style matters as much as everyday usefulness.
• GT-Line: This is the trim to choose if you want a sportier appearance and the same suspension update mentioned for this model year. It makes sense if you want the Soul’s personality with a more aggressive look.
• EX: This is the comfort-leaning choice, with more upscale standard equipment than the lower trims. It suits you if you want a more polished daily driver without going all the way to the top model.
• Turbo: This is the performance-oriented trim, with the turbocharged engine and dual-clutch transmission. Choose it if you want the strongest acceleration and the most power in the lineup.

The LX’s available Technology Package is the key safety-package note to keep in mind if you’re shopping lower in the lineup.

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

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

• Deal availability: 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,708 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,631, 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 $13,920 sits slightly below last year's $14,478.

That softer pricing suggests the market has become a little more buyer-friendly, which can work against short-term resale gains if you buy at the wrong price. If you plan to sell later, your best protection is to buy well, keep mileage reasonable, and choose a clean, well-equipped example that will stay appealing to the next shopper.

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 2021 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and four stars overall from NHTSA. It earns 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/rear collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display. The base LX trim does not get the fuller safety setup unless you add the Technology Package.

One caveat to keep in mind is that IIHS headlight performance varies by trim, so the exact car you buy can affect how well it performs in real-world nighttime driving.

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:

• 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.85% 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 $12,705, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,920 average.
• It emphasizes a compact-car-like blend of utility, efficiency, and driving refinement.

The bottom line: If you want the newer model year with updated equipment and a still-reasonable market price, the 2021 is the better default 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 October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.