2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs 2021 Kia Soul

Crossover SUVs are serious business in the United States, so much so that many automakers’ entire lineups are composed of various sizes of utility vehicles. Beyond the world of enthusiast autos dying a slow, painful death, there’s nothing really wrong with an auto market full of crossovers, as long as they’re executed well and offer good value and features. Nobody does those things better than Kia, and few subcompact SUVs are as surprisingly stout across the board as the Kia Soul.

The Soul is now in its third generation after its initial debut in 2008 and subsequent updates in 2014 and 2020. The details have shifted over time, but the Soul’s basic shape and attitude remain. What's new for 2021? Not a lot. Updates are limited to a standard rear occupant alert and new suspension configurations for the X-Line and GT-Line trims.

Kia offers several Soul trims for the 2021 model year: LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, and Turbo. Two powertrains and two transmissions are on offer, but the Soul’s usefulness and fun-loving attitude are included no matter which configuration is chosen. The Kia's MSRP ranges from $18,765 to $28,825. Competitors include the Hyundai Kona, Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, and Nissan Kicks. Buyers may also shop the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30.