“Love my Kia Soul. It's cute and very roomy even for 2 adults and a car seat in the back. You can actually pack a lot of stuff in the back of the car even though the trunk space looks very small. The turn radius is great. You can turn on a dime. Love the car!”
2019 Kia Soul: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2019 Kia Soul is a quiet carryover, with the main update focused on the base trim: a 5-inch touchscreen and automatic headlights became standard. The + and ! trims changed little before the Soul’s full redesign for 2020.
About the 2019 Kia Soul
2nd generation (2014-2019), final year before the all-new 2020 third generation.
Kia positioned the Soul as a boxy small car with crossover attitude: easy to park, roomy for people and cargo, and intentionally different from more anonymous subcompacts. The brand leaned hard into personality, upright packaging, and everyday usefulness, while also offering a wider spread of personalities than many rivals — from a simple commuter setup to a stronger 2.0-liter middle trim and a turbocharged sporty version. Its big differentiator was usable space and standout style without giving up city-friendly size.
The base Soul is the straightforward, practical version, while the + adds a stronger 2.0-liter engine and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The sporty ! trim stands out with a 201-hp turbo engine, a 7-speed automatic transmission, push-button start, and leather-and-cloth seats.
What changed, by category
Tech
The base trim gained a standard 5-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, and smartphone integration. A touchscreen also became standard on the + trim.
Styling
Automatic headlights became standard on the base trim. Roof rails shifted from standard to optional equipment.
2019 Kia Soul specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 7-Spd w/Dual-Clutch & Sportmatic | Automatic, 6-Spd w/Sportmatic | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | 24 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 161 hp | 130 hp |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft | 150 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 |
| Blindspot Sensors | |||
| Cruise Control | |||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| Fog Lights | |||
| HID Headlights | |||
| Heated Mirrors | |||
| LED Tail Lights | |||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||
| Rear Spoiler | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Satellite Radio | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Subwoofer | |||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||
| Automatic Air Conditioning | |||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||
| Remote Keyless Entry | |||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2019 Kia Soul compared with the 2018 model?
The biggest change was more standard equipment for the base trim, including a 5-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, smartphone integration, and automatic headlights. The + trim also made its touchscreen standard, while roof rails were no longer standard across the lineup.
Was the 2019 Kia Soul redesigned?
No. The 2019 Soul was the final year of the second generation, and it received only small equipment updates. The fully redesigned third-generation Soul arrived for 2020.
Did the 2019 Kia Soul get a new engine?
No. Its three-engine lineup carried over: a 1.6-liter engine in the base trim, a 2.0-liter engine in the +, and a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in the ! trim.
Which 2019 Kia Soul trim has the turbo engine?
The ! trim, pronounced Exclaim, has the 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. It also has a 7-speed automatic transmission, push-button start, and leather-and-cloth seats.
Is the 2019 Kia Soul a meaningful upgrade over the 2018 model?
Only the base trim received a meaningful equipment upgrade for 2019. Its added touchscreen, rearview camera, smartphone integration, and automatic headlights make the year-to-year difference more relevant there; the + and ! trims changed little.
2019 Kia Soul Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2019 Kia Soul.
4.1
2019 Kia Soul
(183 reviews)
“I am happy with it but have a HVAC problem. worry about valve problems with GDI no spare tire Poor technical support from corporate.”
“Love getting my Google maps on the screen, and can take three friends on a road trip with ease. There's extra hidden storage in the trunk above the spare tire area, and the back middle seat folds down with cup holders. The seats are really comfy, even in the back (I have a bad back, so I would know). The Kia soul has decent fuel economy, there is a reason they are so popular.”