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2021 Kia Soul: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 Kia Soul is that Rear Occupant Alert becomes standard on every trim. This is otherwise a light update, with a trim rename and a few equipment and ride-comfort changes rather than a redesign.
About the 2021 Kia Soul
3rd generation (2020-2022 before the 2023 refresh), second model year.
Kia positions the Soul as a small, expressive crossover-shaped hatchback with standout boxy styling, a roomy cabin, and flexible cargo space. The brand leans hard on its modern, iconic shape and 'up-for-anything' attitude, but the real appeal is practical: easy city size, good outward visibility, useful rear-seat and cargo flexibility, simple tech, and a wide trim spread that runs from basic transportation to a genuinely quicker turbo model. Its main advantage over many rivals is how much interior space and personality it packs into a compact footprint.
The 2021 Soul lineup runs from the straightforward LX and better-equipped S to the sporty-looking GT-Line and rugged-looking X-Line. EX focuses on comfort and technology with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, heated seats, and wireless phone charging. Turbo pairs the stronger 1.6-liter turbo engine with premium features such as LED headlights, Harman Kardon audio, a head-up display, and a heated steering wheel.
What changed, by category
Safety
Rear Occupant Alert becomes standard on every trim. The GT-Line also moves blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assistance from optional to standard equipment.
Tech
EX and Turbo add remote start through the key fob. The GT-Line’s sunroof also becomes standard rather than optional.
Styling
The former GT-Line Turbo is renamed Turbo and receives revised badging.
Ride and handling
The 2.0-liter GT-Line and X-Line receive revised shock valves intended to provide a smoother ride.
2021 Kia Soul specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, i-VT | Automatic, i-VT | Automatic, i-VT | Automatic, 7-Spd w/Dual-Clutch | Automatic, i-VT | Automatic, i-VT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 28 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | 28 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 31 mpg | 32 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 147 hp | 147 hp | 201 hp | 147 hp | 147 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 62.1 cu-ft | 62.1 cu-ft | 62.1 cu-ft | 62.1 cu-ft | 62.1 cu-ft | 62.1 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.8 in | 38.8 in | 38.8 in | 38.8 in | 38.8 in | 38.8 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Cruise Control | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change from the 2020 Soul to the 2021 Soul?
The biggest change is standard Rear Occupant Alert across the entire 2021 Soul lineup. EX and Turbo also gain key-fob remote start, while the 2.0-liter GT-Line and X-Line receive revised shock valves for a smoother ride.
Was the 2021 Kia Soul redesigned?
No, the 2021 Kia Soul was not redesigned. It is the second model year of the third-generation Soul introduced for 2020, so its updates are relatively minor.
Is the 2021 Soul Turbo the same trim as the 2020 GT-Line Turbo?
Yes, the 2021 Turbo is the renamed continuation of the 2020 GT-Line Turbo. It keeps the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while adding Rear Occupant Alert, key-fob remote start, and revised badging for 2021.
Which 2021 Kia Soul trims received ride changes?
The 2.0-liter GT-Line and X-Line received revised shock valves for 2021. Kia made this change to give those trims a smoother ride.
What became standard on the 2021 Soul GT-Line?
Rear Occupant Alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assistance, and a sunroof are standard on the 2021 Soul GT-Line. The GT-Line also received revised shock valves for a smoother ride.
2021 Kia Soul Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Kia Soul.
4.3
2021 Kia Soul
(229 reviews)
“Designed for a growing family, it has safety, space, and around-town comfort. Also just the thing for drivers who need to transport the elderly or disabled. Generally useful for moving people and things economically and reliably.”
“It's not sexy, it's not flashy, but it has 4 wheels, a steering wheel and I'm assuming other things that get me from where I am to where I need to be. If all you need is transportation, it doesn't get much more sensible than a Kia Soul.”