Used 2021 Kia Soul Consumer Reviews
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Love My Car
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 Edmunds doesn't have that option.
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Best Car in its class, EX is best deal
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 in the city in spots where bigger cars can't fit. Don't get the bare-bones LX: EX great safety/lux features: Remote keyless entry Cruise control LeatherWrap steering wheel/shifter Forward collision mitigation Lane keeping assist Blind-spot monitor Drowsy driver monitor Keyless entry and ignition Dual-zone automatic climate Heated front seats Rear center armrest 10.25-inch infotainment w/nav Wireless charging pad Cargo cover and space divider
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- LX WagonMSRP: $16,827In-stock online
- EX WagonMSRP: $15,991In-stock online
- EX WagonMSRP: $16,880In-stock online
Transmission issues
I bought a brand new 2021 Kia Soul October 2020. In April it started driving funny. I took it in and they said they found metal shavings in the transmission. They were working with Kia to see how to address. Ended up needing a new transmission. They gave me a loaner car for about a week or so. Fine, it happens.. its under warranty so whatever. Well its now Dec 2021 and it started doing the same thing again. I took it in, was without a car for 3 days only for them to tell me its the transmission. Again its under warranty but now I’m in loaner car again. I love the kia soul but what happens in six months? What happens when the warranty runs out. I bought it brand new and its on its 3rd transmission!!
Bought the Kia
This is my 3rd Kia Soul. I love them. They are reliable and a bit of fun to drive for an inexpensive car. It has all the tech/ safety features that I was looking for and it even has a sunroof!
My new, 8 weeks, Kia Soul needs a new transmission
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 had never bought it. I will be filing a lemon law claim.
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Tranny not good!
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!
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Lemon at 500 miles?!!!
After leasing 3 Kia souls over a 9 year periodI SKIMPED AND SAVED TO PUT A GOOD DOWN PAYMENT ON A PURCHASE... Kia has $10,000 of my money and I have a broken car!!! Transmission issues? Never mentioned! A getaway weekend completely ruined!!! Sat for HOURS waiting for the ‘Kia roadside service’ .. DON’T BOTHER!!!! You will grow old waiting for a tow🤬 I am beyond angry!!!! All the years I leased they were great... the minute I actually PURCHASE a car......crickets. I have had this car for 4 weeks 530miles ... I am heartbroken 💔 -UPDATE- Dan Obrien Kia in Hampton NH provided wonderful service ( and loaner) replaced my broken transmission. BUT… At 1560 miles THAT transmission failed! Turned out it was a ‘rebuilt ‘ part… seriously?!! They tell me it’s common practice to use rebuilt parts😩 I am now at over 6,000miles - fingers crossed that the THIRD transmission in this car will last. I will increase my stars to 2 only because of the excellent service by Dan Obrien Kia.
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Great value for the money
For the money this is a great little car interior is spacious and easily seats 4 large adults. I am 6’2” 220lbs and I have no problem fitting into the front or back and can actually sit up it the back without busting my head on the roof.
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fantastic.....!!!
i just got my new 2021 kia soul lx and even is just the base model is just awesome......!!!! Igot it for just $15,000 ...it comes wit android pairing systen to the stereo wich is great...the handeling and power of the engine is just superb...dont listen to the ones that says this car is slow...hahahaha...!!! They just dont know... big and comforyable insade..and plenty of room for the passengers on the back even with the front seats all the way back....the warranty is fantastic...good gas consumtion....
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Major Problems Transmissions 2020s and 2021s 2022s
We bought a 2021 KIA Soul EX August 2021. We thought we had a great little car with all the bells and whistles. When we did our research back in August 2020 the 2019 KIA Soul was the latest report from Consumer Reports. It got very high marks mostly excellent in all areas. We figured the 2020s and 2021s would be the same. We started reading about major problems for the KIA Soul in 2021. The 2020s and 2021s have a major transmission problem. I was told by a KIA Service manager that there would be a recall on the transmission in the future for the Souls. KIA issued TSB SC199_ownr_SK3 on and TSB SC199_DP on the power train. SC 199 states notification to dealer principals advising them of a voluntary emissions service campaign to improve the transmission control module(tcm)logic and, if necessary, replace the intelligent transmission. We have not had any problems with our KIA yet. Kia has a great warranty 10 years or 100,000 miles on the power train. The dealers are not very helpful in resolving the problem. It can take up to 2 to 3 months to get a new replacement. We have read that some owners had to replace more than one. We will take a proactive step and trade our KIA in before we have any problems
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problems with my 2 week old Soul
I've only had my soul two weeks now and like it. However, this morning on my way to work I noticed pulsations or lurching which started out minor and slowly got worse. As i neared my exit, the car suddenly revved up to over 3,000 rpm's and the transmission was shifting wildly. I made it to the parking garage to get the train......barely. The car only has 1,200 miles on it! Really? Is this a view of more to come? When I got out of the car I could smell either transmission or brake fluid not sure which, will be contacting the dealer soon!
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Best 'bang for the buck' & unmatched versatility
This is my third Kia Soul and they keep getting better every time. Lots of room inside and huge cargo area with rear seats down. Surprisingly peppy 2 liter engine and transmission ( my first automatic ). Great in the N.J. snows with winter tires. No need for AWD ( around here anyway ). Great deals well below MSRP are available. The S model has most of the 'nanny' electronic safety features - very good to have. Overall, the best you can buy for under $ 20 K.
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Transmission failure, >4,000 miles & Bad Cust Svc!
We LOVED our 2013 Soul, so, when our daughter's car quit on her, we gave her our 2013 Soul and purchased a 2021 Soul. A few months and less than 4,000 miles later, the transmission went out when we were driving out of town. Kia Roadside Assistance would only tow to a local (to where the breakdown occurred, not to where we live) dealership for repair. Roadside Assistance said that dealership did not offer "loaner cars" but Kia would reimburse us for car rental. One week and $800 in car rental fees later, the dealership called to say the car had a bad sensor, which they repaired and was finished. We had to drive the rental back out of town to return and pick up our Soul. Headed home, the transmission went out AGAIN. We were close enough to home that the car was towed to a local (to home) dealership for repair. Same issue, but this time, we could not afford to rent another car. Several weeks later, with a new transmission, we pick up our Soul, submit all invoices, bank statements, etc. to Kia for reimbursement. THREE Months later, and we have still not been reimbursed for the cost of the rental. We've called repeatedly, and are told the reimbursement has been approved, but not released. We're done - filing reports with Atty General, FTC and Better Business Bureau today.
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Best car ever
When my wife first asked me to look at the Kia Soul I told her that I would never drive something like that. I ended up look at it just to make her feel better and I literally pulled over during the test drive just because I couldn’t wait to tell my salesperson that I want to buy it. I have 3 kids and a wife that can fit into this vehicle comfortably and the car has a lot of get up and go. We even got my dog behind the back seat. I have worked on cars almost my whole life and would buy this car over and over. It is safe to say that we are now a Kia family.
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Loving My Lil Soul
I just got this car brand new the other. I upgraded from a 2017 Kia Forte LX. While the Forte was a great car, even being a base model. What the Forte really did was change my perception about the Kia brand from my one of a bad reputation to something of a brand that is making great changes in the automotive world. The 2021 Kia Soul is enjoyable and fresh. I got the GT-Line, while it’s only sporty in appearance as the engine itself is adequate to accommodate daily driving. The vehicle also pumps out good mpg for a car of its size. I’m rather happy with my purchase and I look forward to what I expect to be a very reliable car.
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Great value with couple complaints.
Been buying Kias (Fortes and Souls) for the last several years after Honda got too pricey. Bought the LX Soul new a months ago (first new car ever after 40 yrs of driving, got a great deal...couldn't resist) ; traded in my beloved 2016 Soul + w/ over 100k. This car is a nice improvement over my '16 in several ways except a few complaints. The CVT transmission is fine...seamless between gears. Apparently they've fixed the glitch with trans problems. For a 2.0 liter, power is fine. (Folks, if you want more power, get a Stinger.) Ride & handling is VG, better than my '16. There's some road noise but not intrusive for this price range. Gas mileage is better than my '16 and respectable...33 mph average. On the down side, the "idle stop and go" feature is annoying. You have to manually switch it off each time you start the car. I've rectified this by pushing the button to turn it off, and then while it's pushed in, slipping in a toothpick into the skinny seam between the buttons. Hasn't fallen out yet after a month! The other thing is that this LX model is NOT Sirius SM ready. I had to buy Sirius's portable unit and affix it to the dash vent. Make sure you get the Onyx Plus model that gives you the capability to tune to an unused FM channel for sound. Which brings me to my other complaint. No aux input jack (I still love my CDs but no way to play them thru my portable into the car speakers). I've been told more and more cars have done away with this. Too bad. The seats grab you a bit on the seat edges...my '16 was a bit more comfy. And I'm average build guy, not overweight. Could be because it's new. Otherwise.. this is a fine vehicle and worth checking out. Love the color..."Mars Orange." Don't let that scare you. More of a muted "cloudy" red. Great color. Not as bright as the red.
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2021 Kia Soul with 5600 miles, and in the shop
So disappointed and aggravated. Looking online, I believe it's the transmission, will know Monday. No loaner car provided by Kia dealership as of yet. Scary drive on the highway, acceleration just stops. Please be careful if you already bought a 2021 Soul.
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Love this car
This is my 1st SOUL after driving 3 BMW's and 3 Mercedes. I have been driving now for 2 months and love this car. The EX model has everything I need. The car drives really well. The information system blows away what BMW offered. It has decent power and the sport mode works well. Heated seats work great. I knew it had little trunk space and I am fine with that. I am very happy with my EX.
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3700 miles in a new Soul
Rock solid round trip from Kansas City to northern New England. 36 mpg fir the trip. Not a single hiccup during entire journey. The LX Soul (base model) with the the automatic has its limits in terms of acceleration and cornering but neither factor prevented it from handling long interstate conditions at high speeds. Once you learn its capabilities and limitations you’re pretty much a happy camper. Seating is very comfortable, road noise is acceptable, and the vehicle is always stable even when handling long corners. September 2022. Soul LX now 16 mos old and clocks 14,500. Has had 3 routine services at dealer. I certainly have zero affiliation with Kia, the dealer, etc. Zilch. BUT : this odd sewing machine has been perfect since the day I bought it. Runs like a good pc or smartphone should…at 75 on a road trip while getting 35mpg. Have survived a brutally hot mid-western summer with cooling and AC functioning perfectly. All electrics perfect. And even with my city doing cruel roadwork everywhere the base LX has never yet squeaked or rattled…in the entire 16 months. Sounds over-the-top but it’s true. Do I still wish it was quick ? I do. But my days with IROC Zs, Trans Ams, Vettes, ad nauseum are gone. Do I wish it cornered better ? I do. But the smell of Pirelli rubber from a GTI cornering at its limit is also a memory. The Kia Soul never shared stable space with the last generation of drivers’ cars. The Soul is writing its own story. And so far it is perfect.
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4 break downs in the first 2 weeks.
First day home, no start, tow to shop. Replace batter. Day 2 no start tow to shop. Replace starter. 1 week later no start tow to shop. Reprogram remotes and car starter. Did not get out of the dealership , found oil leak, back into shop for repair. This week had to replace factory wiper blades, scratching window, and NO THEY WERE NOT DAMMAGED FROM ABUSE!
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Low price wonder car
Lots of room for hauling stuff like a baby suv. I've had stretches on the highway of 40 miles per gallon. Hard to beat the price of 17k when the average new cost is over 30k. No regrets here would definitely buy another one, but I'd go for a higher grade other than the LX.
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Pleasantly Surprised
I had a 2015 Jeep Renegade. The transmission went out on me twice. The second time that happened, I went and bought my 2021 Soul. I freaking love this little car. So much room, awesome tech, lots of storage and super fun to drive!!
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So impressed
This new Kia comes with all the bells and whistles could not ask for any better
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SOUNDS LIKE JUNK
Took my Kia Soul In because it had a bad rattle on front left side! They called said there is nothing they can do for it, that it is a hub cap! Say the hub cap is not defective tho. And say they aren’t putting a new hub cap on! This vehicle is 3 months old, 1654 miles! So now they say they are going to replace the hub cap but that it will probably start rattling again. The whole thing does not make sense! There has to be a reason the hub cap is rattling. It has to be a defective cap or the rim is bent, something. The other three are not rattling! And this is not a little rattle! It sounds like junk! This is the worse service dept I have ever dealt with. I have owned at least 20 brand new vehicles in my life and have never had this type of experience. But I have never owned nothing but Gm vehicles either. I knew when I bought it I was making a mistake! But for them to down right tell me I have to live with it or buy rims and put on it, is ridiculous. So I opened a case with corporate and will seek legal advice from here! DO NOT buy a Kia!!!! Especially if they are not willing to fix it after you pull it off the lot. Bought from Towbin Kia Henderson Nevada
Paint quality
We have had the black Soul S two weeks when the wind blew the shopping cart i was unloading and the edge of the cart handle touched the left rear passenger door. It surprised me to see a one-inch-long surface scratch. Also a brush-up against a lawn shrub bordering the driveway left a scrape that cannot be buffed out. NO dents or any other surface defects. At purchase, we were offered an application of a protective coating for an additional $600, and we turned it down. Original paint is substandard quality.
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Now I have a Soul!
Great value and features for the $! I had to buy a car quickly back in March, 2021 because my 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander was starting to blow a head gasket and I had a long road trip planned in a week. I’d been paying attention to the chip shortage so when I found a great deal on a Kia Soul that had been sitting on the lot I went for it even though it’s a smaller vehicle than I would have otherwise bought.
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Five Stars
Gas mileage in town over 30 mpg.
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Drives great but the gas mileages has me rethinkin
The is not even a couple days old and the gas mileage the sticker says it will get and it’s not even close. I work for a major rental car company and thinking about buying a new Hyundai Kona and the Soul GT line, well I bought the Soul. So far I’ve been averaging 29 on the highway and 30 in the city, problem is most of my driving is highway miles. I traded in my 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe ultimate 2.0 turbo that now I’m starting to miss. The bad thing is the Konas I drove at work were averaging 37 mpg on a trip and I feel I made a mistake buy the Soul.
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got soul
fun, comfortable, solid and well equipped.
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sporty - roomy- comfortable
LOVE my KIA Soul, no issues. Moved in March and my Soul played a part in moving boxes throughout the month. with the seats down I was able to really fill her up. Lots of room in the Soul, my tall husband 6 ft tall, has not bumped his head once getting in or out. Comfortable for long rides or just running an errand.
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Soulless
Our Kia Soul, which we purchased new, has been in the shop for nearly a week while they decide whether or not to honor their recall on the engine. Once again we are Soulless. The first time we were Soulless was when the engine was replaced, under warranty, with only 37,000 miles on it. The dealership where we purchased this car took 13 weeks to install the short block in order to repair our vehicle. After nearly a year of trying to get KIA to reimburse us for the almost $5,000 of rental car bills we incurred from this lengthy repair process, we finally gave up, and considered it a lost cause. Last week, at 99,630 miles, the 2nd engine is now suspect. The flashing check engine light is now indicating a P1327 code. According to a different dealership (we no longer use the first dealership) this represents yet another imminent catastrophic engine failure. We have now been Soulless for nearly a week so far, while this dealership navigates 2 different, somewhat conflicting, technical bulletins. They originally told me that this code signaled an unequivocal long block replacement, with no further testing or diagnosis required. Unfortunately that has not been the case. According to the dealership they have been required to submit sound analysis as well as other diagnostics to KIA in order to qualify this vehicle for the recall “campaign.” The dealership has assured me that once approval is established, and the engine and additional parts are received, we should have our car returned to us in about 3 weeks. A total (hopefully) of being Soulless for about a month. Of course no loaner cars are available through this dealership either. But we are cordially invited to rent a car, and apply for reimbursement from KIA, after spending hundreds, if not thousands of $$$ yet again, and waiting untold weeks or months for approval of our expenditures, which were never forthcoming from our initial adventure of being Soulless. Been there, done that! There is a saying about people who repeatedly do the same thing and expect different results!!! The “good news” is that due to the recall/“campaign” on this engine, the warranty on the engine has been extended to 150,000 miles. We may have the opportunity to experience being Soulless yet again, should this third engine fail within the next 50,000 miles! After all, the first 2 engines died within 100,000 miles, so the odds are that the next one will die in about another 50,000 miles. For those of you wondering, I have averaged nearly 38 mpg for about the last 5100 miles with the AC going 100% of the time. I drive country roads at 45-50 mph. (Too many deer to drive faster!) So NO, these engines have NOT been abused! It’s rare that I rev the engine past 2,000 rpm. We very much love this car. The interior room, the height of the ride, the handling, the gas mileage, and the ease of entry and exit (we are both in our 60’s) make this a really excellent vehicle for our purposes. However, being left Soulless for long periods of time, by a truly soulless corporation, that obviously cares very little about customer service, means that our first KIA will also be our last KIA. It is a true shame that what could be a really wonderful car, has such egregious flaws, and is manufactured by such a soulless corporation!!!
Kia Soul
Great price, nice vehicle, dealership is great!
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Kia soul
Very easy and practical
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Sweet Wheels
So far I have found nothing I don't like...... It's quiet, it hugs the road with no effort on my part and has fabulous visibility. A Great Auto.
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Zippy Fun to drive.
Kia was a bought for my girlfriend for a safe drive to work. The last 3 years and 40 k miles it has had no issues. I took over driving the Soul once my Ford died and we bought a new Ford. I drive the Soul to work 5 days a week through snow, ice, rain, and heat. All safe drives and comfortable. We have driven from Michigan to Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia with no problems. Fun to drive. Gas mileage not bad. Points not a fan of Auto Start and Horn Blast makes it unusable. Storage makes trips hard. No more the 2 people fit comfortable on long trips. Overall We started out with a lease and decided to buy. I like how the Soul handles and drives.
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Save your Soul!
I love the moss green color. I love the way it drives. I love how I can reach all the dials from the driver position. I love having entertainment options and internet access. The only thing I don't like is that the car turns off whenever it stops at a stop sign or light.
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Soul
I love my soul
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I love my 2021 Kia Soul
I love this car. It is super reliable, better on gas than expected, has all of the mandatory creature features anyone would want. With the back seats down, it also serves as my mini pickup. Super peppy too!
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It's JUST RIGHT!
This is my third Kia Soul and I love it. It's quieter than the previous ones and drives like a dream. The EX has keyless entry and ignition, heated seats, a great sound system, navigation, and climate control. I am getting about 27 mph around town. It's a small car, yes, but a comfortable one. I'm a medium-small person, so it's just right for me.
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I love this car
I'm really enjoying all the new features they've made on this car in the last few years. It drives great, averaging 33-35mpg, & is a great value.
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Kia Soul 2021
I have only driven it for a few days but I love it!!!
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Buy Local
The Soul EX is overloaded with options that consumers will love.
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Hands down one of the best cars out there!
Has every feature you could want in a car. Handles perfectly, is comfortable and all around a sharp looking vehicle. I love it. I give it 10 stars!
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