2021 Kia Soul Review

2021 Kia Soul Turbo Wagon Exterior Shown

+299

The Kia Soul has a lot going for it. Its boxy shape gives it a seriously roomy passenger cabin and cargo area. It's also fun to drive, with above-average handling abilities and an intuitive CVT automatic. Minor grievances aside, this small SUV is one of the best out there.

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2021 Kia Soul Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Lots of features for the price
Roomier than other extra-small SUVs
Surprisingly fun to drive

Cons

Excessive wind and tire noise at freeway speeds
Clunky response from the turbocharged engine's transmission

What's new

Rear occupant alert now standard on all trim levels
Smoother-riding suspension for 2.0-liter X-Line and GT-Line
GT-Line Turbo trim renamed simply Turbo
Part of the third Soul generation introduced for 2020

Overview

About a decade ago, there was a brief moment when small and boxy SUVs were very popular. At the time, these included the Scion xB, Honda Element, Nissan Cube and the Kia Soul. Of these, only the Soul is still in production. If we ever get a reality TV show about them, Jeff Probst could give the Soul the title of "Sole Survivor." (Cue our drum ... ba dum tss!)

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Soul LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$158/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

After a full redesign last year, the third-generation 2021 Kia Soul returns with only minor changes. Along with the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona, it's one of our higher-ranked extra-small SUVs. All of these represent strong choices that offer a lot for the money. The question is: Are you funky enough for the Soul?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the Soul drive? Maximum acceleration from the 2.0-liter engine is a little lacking, but the Soul feels perfectly spry around town. The steering is natural, and cornering abilities are better than expected. In most cases, the CVT automatic feels like a traditional automatic. In Edmunds track testing, the Soul posted a 0-60 mph time of 8.8 seconds, which is a respectable time for a little SUV.

The steering features a light effort that builds up naturally when you move from center. The Soul has cornering abilities similar to sportier rivals such as the Mazda CX-3 and Mini Countryman. The only true downside is the touchy brake pedal, which takes some getting used to. The brake response builds too quickly, so you have to be smooth on the brakes to avoid lurching. Unlike some other subcompacts, the Soul doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Soul? The front seats are reasonably comfortable even after you've been sitting for hours. The rear seatback angle is fixed but is set at a comfortable angle. The ride is firm and controlled but never harsh. Unlike some rivals, the Soul doesn't shudder like it's falling apart when it's driven over bigger bumps.

At highway speeds, the upright windshield generates a noticeable — but not irritating — level of wind noise, and some tire noise is evident too. Simulated gearshifts mean the engine doesn't drone at full throttle like some CVT automatics.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? From an ergonomic standpoint, the simple interior design means there's not much to mess up. Navigating through touchscreen menus is easy thanks to an intuitive interface and physical buttons for high-level functions. A height-adjustable front seat and a generous range of steering wheel adjustment help accommodate drivers of all sizes.

The tall roof and wide door openings allow easy access to the front and rear of the deceptively large cabin. There's lots of headroom and legroom in front and back — four adults will have no problem taking road trips. All windows are tall and narrow with the exception of the small upturned window in the rear three-quarters view.

Technology

7.0/10

How’s the tech? We tested the X-Line trim level, which has the basic six-speaker audio system. Without a dedicated subwoofer, bassy sounds come out of the speakers but lack punch. At least the speakers don't rattle at high volume. At this trim level, there's only one USB port, but it's illuminated so you can see it at night. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. On every trim except the base LX, you also get advanced safety features such as forward collision mitigation and a blind-spot monitor.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The Soul has a deep cargo well that gives it more cargo room than other small SUVs. Though this configuration has impressive volume (24.2 cubic feet), there's a large hump at the base of the rear seats when you fold them, which limits utility.

Storage space is decent for the class, with a good number of bins and cubbies for front-seat occupants. Installing a car seat is tough despite a roomy back seat — the anchors are inset quite far and access to the tethers is hampered by this trim's nonadjustable headrests.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the CVT automatic-equipped Soul at 30 mpg combined (27 city/33 highway), which is slightly better than most competitors. However, we weren't able to replicate these numbers in real life. Over 350 miles of driving (100 of which were on the highway at a reasonable pace), we averaged just 26.8 mpg.

Value

8.0/10

Is the Soul a good value? The Soul is inexpensive even for a subcompact SUV. There's not much soft-touch plastic, yet it doesn't feel cheap. There's faux leather on the door rest where you rest your elbow, and the leather-wrapped wheel feels nice. There's also lots of silver trim to break up the monotony of an all-black cabin. As usual, Kia's warranty is class-leading.

Wildcard

8.0/10

The continuously variable automatic transmission isn't exactly fun to use, but it is well tuned and a bit more responsive than other CVT automatics. There's also not much power aboard — get the Turbo for a peppier engine. Still, even the midtier Soul is fun to toss around corners and has a pleasant ride.

The Soul uses its boxy shape to its advantage by providing lots of interior and cargo room. Styling is distinct and unmistakable. The premium audio system even gets beat-synced speaker lights, which adds to the fun factor.

Which Soul does Edmunds recommend?

The EX trim hits the sweet spot for features and cost. It adds plenty of creature comforts to make it feel a lot more upmarket than supporting trims. The Turbo trim's extra power is nice, but you effectively have to buy the top trim level to get it, which limits its appeal.

2021 Kia Soul models

The 2021 Kia Soul is available in six trim Levels: LX, X-Line, GT-Line, S, EX and Turbo. For most of the lineup, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque). The top-of-the-line Turbo receives a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (201 hp, 195 lb-ft). The LX comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, but it can be optioned with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is standard on other trims. The Turbo model comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

LX
This base model is light on features, with highlights that include:

Cloth upholstery
Air conditioning
7-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

X-Line
The X-Line trim has an off-road-inspired look and adds these features we expect as standard on most vehicles:

Roof rails
Remote keyless entry
Cruise control
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
Advanced safety features that include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Soul back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Drowsy driver monitor

GT-Line
The GT-Line represents the sporty-looking choice with unique exterior styling touches. It doesn't have roof rails but is otherwise equipped similarly to the X-Line. It also comes with:

Sunroof
Premium cloth upholstery

S
Stepping up to the S trim includes the extra convenience features above, minus the special styling enhancements. You mainly get a power-adjustable driver's seat.

EX
Compared to the S, the EX trim adds several convenience and comfort items that include:

Heated mirrors
Sunroof
Keyless entry and ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Heated front seats
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
Rear center armrest
10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation
Wireless charging pad
Cargo cover and space divider

Turbo
The Turbo trim builds off the EX's feature list and adds:

LED headlights and foglights
Head-up display
Simulated leather upholstery
An upgraded power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated steering wheel
Premium Harman Kardon audio system
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Soul and the car in front)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#3 out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Kia Soul from 2008-2022.}

$401/yr

vs. $435/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.73x/yr

vs. 0.69x/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

9.6%

vs. 10.7%
for Average Subcompact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Kia Soul.

5 (61%)

4 (11%)

3 (5%)

2 (5%)

1 (18%)

3.9

38 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 38 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love My Car

Beau_siren, 02/23/2021

2021 Kia Soul LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

Absolutely love how high it is. Sitting in it. Driving it. The AC, windows. The seats fold down in back for more space. Love the trunk. Very comfy. My only complaint is sometimes the ride is a little loud inside. And if one window is open it creates an awful vacuum that has been a problem with a lot of cars in the past 5 years or so. I would actually give 4.5 stars for this but …

Best Car in its class, EX is best deal

UrbanSoul, 11/15/2020

2021 Kia Soul EX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

If you can still get the 2020 instead of 2021 you get the same car cheaper and with way better headlights and LED running lights. Only other difference from 2020 to 2021 is rear seat occupant alert. Compared to all other cars under 175 inches, 2020/2021 Soul has 4+ inches more legroom for 6' adults in back seat. Cargo 24/62 cf is 50-100% more than all other cars in its class/size Park …

Tranny not good!

Shelia M, 03/23/2021

2021 Kia Soul LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6M)

This has been my 4th Kia 3 being Kia Souls overall I like the car and have had no problems until I purchased this last one. Purchased 12/26/2020 and the Transmission went out end of February. I am very disappointed with the service I've received from the same car dealer I've purchased from. The tranny is bad and so is the customer service!

My new, 8 weeks, Kia Soul needs a new transmission

Julie f, 05/02/2021

2021 Kia Soul S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I bought a brand new 2021 Kia Soul February 13, 2021. 8 weeks later it is in the shop needing a new transmission. It has been 2 weeks and not one single call from Kia. The transmission is on back order and I am driving a rental car which I am paying $22/day for insurance. I have a case number with Kia, but it is useless because their customer service is absolutely horrible. I wish I …

See all 38 reviews of the Kia Soul

Write a vehicle review

2021 Soul Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$17,590
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$158/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Soul models:

Forward Collision Avoidance: Warns you of stopped or rapidly slowing vehicles ahead and automatically applies the brakes if you don't respond.
Lane Keep Assist: Issues a warning if you start to drift from your lane. Automatically applies pressure to the wheel to guide you back into the lane.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning: Alerts you to vehicles either in your blind spot or rapidly approaching in the next lane using lights in the side mirrors.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Kia Soul Review

2021 Kia Soul Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Soul LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Soul does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Kia Soul models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love My Car

Best Car in its class, EX is best deal

Tranny not good!

My new, 8 weeks, Kia Soul needs a new transmission

2021 Soul Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Soul LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}