“Kia souls are extremely small and lower to the ground not much leg room don't have much to get up I'm not I don't think I'd ever buy a Kia Soul again”
2016 Kia Soul: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2016 Kia Soul is that alloy wheels became standard on every trim. It was otherwise a light equipment update, not a redesign, with added features for the + and ! trims.
About the 2016 Kia Soul
2nd generation Soul (2014-2019), third model year, before the 2017 styling refresh and turbocharged Exclaim.
Kia positioned the Soul as a fun-looking urban runabout with more space and flexibility than its compact footprint suggests. In Kia’s own messaging, it blended standout style with wagon-like usefulness, a roomy cabin, plenty of passenger space, and a feature-rich interior. The Soul’s main draw versus other small cars was that upright, boxy design: it made the vehicle easy to get into, easy to see out of, and more cargo-friendly than many traditional hatchbacks.
The 2016 Soul Base is the straightforward version, with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, Bluetooth, and a flexible split-folding rear seat. The + adds a stronger 2.0-liter engine, a 4.3-inch touchscreen, and a rearview camera, while the premium ! trim adds leather seats and a power driver’s seat.
What changed, by category
Styling
Alloy wheels became standard across the lineup. The + trim also gained standard gloss-black front and rear bumper accents and fog lights.
Tech
The + trim gained a standard 4.3-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, and automatic headlights.
Interior
Leather-trimmed seats became standard on the ! trim.
2016 Kia Soul specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd Sportmatic | Auto, 6-Spd Sportmatic | Auto, 6-Spd Sportmatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | 24 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 164 hp | 164 hp | 130 hp |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft | 118 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 61.3 cu-ft | 61.3 cu-ft | 61.3 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.1 in | 39.1 in | 39.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Automatic Headlights | |||
| Cruise Control | |||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| HID Headlights | |||
| LED Tail Lights | |||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||
| Rear Spoiler | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Bluetooth | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Satellite Radio | |||
| Subwoofer | |||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||
| USB Ports | |||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | |||
| Dual Power Lumbar Support Front Seats | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||
| Power Driver Seat | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||
| Rear Window Shades | |||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2016 Kia Soul?
The biggest change is that alloy wheels became standard on every 2016 Soul trim, including the Base model.
Was the 2016 Kia Soul redesigned?
No, the 2016 Kia Soul was not redesigned. It continued the second-generation design introduced for 2014 and received a light equipment update.
How is the 2016 Kia Soul + different from the 2015 version?
The 2016 Soul + gained standard fog lights, a 4.3-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, automatic headlights, and gloss-black bumper accents.
What changed on the 2016 Kia Soul ! trim?
Leather-trimmed seats became standard on the 2016 Soul !, strengthening its role as the most premium trim in the lineup.
Did the 2016 Kia Soul get new engines or all-wheel drive?
No, the 2016 Soul kept its existing four-cylinder engines and front-wheel-drive layout. The Base used a 1.6-liter engine, while the + and ! used a 2.0-liter engine.
2016 Kia Soul Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 Kia Soul.
4.2
2016 Kia Soul
(661 reviews)
“The hatch size works great for my need, Love the great gas mileage that it gets, drives great in the snow”
“The Kia Soul is a punchy car that is bigger than it looks. Plenty of room on the inside for adults and kids. Perfect for throwing your kayak on and going away for the weekend.”