Kia Soul
The Kia Soul, with its unmistakable boxy design, has long been a favorite among urban dwellers and young drivers looking for a fun, affordable, and practical vehicle. Known for its spacious interior and versatile cargo space, the Soul earns praise for its balance between compact dimensions and impressive utility. Owners also appreciate its nimble handling and efficient powertrain options, making it a strong choice for daily commutes and city driving. However, some criticism has been directed at its ride quality, which can be harsh on rough roads, and the absence of all-wheel drive as an option. Overall, though, the Soul stands out as a unique yet practical offering in the segment, catering to those who value both style and practicality at a budget-friendly price point.
The Kia Soul, with its unmistakable boxy design, has long been a favorite among urban dwellers and young drivers looking for a fun, affordable, and practical vehicle. Known for its spacious interior and versatile cargo space, the Soul earns praise for its balance between compact dimensions and impressive utility. Owners also appreciate its nimble handling and efficient powertrain options, making it a strong choice for daily commutes and city driving. However, some criticism has been directed at its ride quality, which can be harsh on rough roads, and the absence of all-wheel drive as an option. Overall, though, the Soul stands out as a unique yet practical offering in the segment, catering to those who value both style and practicality at a budget-friendly price point.
Kia Soul Model Lineup
The Soul is a compact crossover SUV that offers seating for up to five passengers and is situated between the smaller Rio and the larger Sportage in Kia’s lineup. Its most recent (third) generation launched in 2020, offering an updated design, new powertrain options, and additional technology features. Kia also makes an all-electric version, the Soul EV, which is reviewed separately.
The Soul comes in a range of trims, including the LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, and Turbo. The LX is the base trim, offering essential features, while the S adds a few more convenience and safety features. The X-Line and GT-Line trims provide unique exterior styling cues, with the GT-Line having sportier accents. The well-equipped EX offers a more upscale experience, while the Turbo boasts the most powerful engine and sharpest performance.
Kia offers the Soul with a few different engines. The base 1.6-liter four-cylinder produces about 130 horsepower, while an available 2.0-liter four-cylinder increases that to about 160 hp. Both come with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. In 2017, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp was added, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. With the 2020 debut of the third-generation Soul, the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder was upgraded to 147 hp, while the available automatic gearbox was changed from a traditional six-speed to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All versions are front-wheel drive (only).
In 2020, the third-generation Soul introduced a standard 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, with higher trims offering a larger 10.3-inch unit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration has been available since 2016 and became standard across all trims in 2020. Several notable advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist, also became available in 2020, with many offered as standard equipment on all but the base trim.
We recommend 2020 and newer models of the Soul since they benefit from notable improvements in design, powertrains, and features. The EX trim is a solid choice for those seeking a balance between price and features, while the Turbo trim is ideal for those prioritizing performance.
Popular Trims
Kia Soul Owner Reviews
Average Rating for 2014
4.7
3 verified owner reviews
Top 2014 Reviews
Bruce S. from OH
Verified Owner · Aug, 2015
2014 Kia Soul+/Soul!
My vehicle has the option on it where the motor turns off when I come to a complete stop. While I understand that this is to save gas when in a traffic jam situation, I feel that this feature should not be a default feature. In other words, I should be able to turn it on when I want to use it rather than it being on when I start up the car and have to turn it off all the time. Also, I feel that this feature overworks the starter motor and could wear it out quicker. Bad design!!!!
Taylor H. from AR
Verified Owner · Apr, 2015
2014 Kia Soul+/Soul!
I'm in love with my new car!!!
Syamal B. from IL
Verified Owner · Jan, 2015
2014 Kia Soul+/Soul!
My wife for whom I bought this car, likes most. That is the most important thing for me. Color white has a royal and sophisticated look.