Used 2011 Kia Soul for sale 

The 2011 Kia Soul is a four-door hatchback/wagon available in base, +, ! and Sport trim levels. Standard equipment includes 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a trip computer, a tilt steering column, cloth upholstery, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat and a four-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and USB and auxiliary audio jacks. The Soul + adds a bigger engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry, power-adjustable outside mirrors, tinted rear windows, a height-adjustable driver seat, metallic interior trim, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and two additional speakers.

A sunroof, fog lights, floor mats and an upgraded audio system are optional on the Soul +. They're included on the Soul !, along with 18-inch wheels, heated outside mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and two-tone upholstery. The Soul Sport is similar to the Soul ! and adds a sport-tuned suspension, a red and black two-tone interior, metal pedals and unique exterior trim details. The sunroof is optional on the Sport.

We Recommend

The 2011 Kia Soul brings hipster styling and a fun-to-drive nature to the realm of the practical hatchback. Being said that, the base trim packs all the basic and important features as standard. Hence for the price it displays, we recommend the base model.

have a choice between two different engines, either with automatic or manual transmissions, in the 2011 Kia Soul. Most Soul wagons will sport a four-cylinder engine with 2.0 liters of displacement, 142 horsepower, and 137 pound-feet of torque; but there's also a 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 122 horsepower and 115 pound-feet of torque.

The larger engine is the standard powertrain on the three top Soul models: the typographically challenging Soul+, Soul!, and Soul Sport. But don't feel that you need to get the larger one; there isn't much performance difference between the two. The manual gearbox in the Soul is light and quite precise, but throws are long and clutch coordination leaves something to be desired. Soul models with the automatic transmission are surprisingly responsive and agreeable, likely because its four speeds seem very well chosen for the engine's torque curve. Moderate acceleration comes with an engine note that develops a bit of thrum at higher highway speeds.

Across the board, handling is as tidy as any compact's, though most testers find that the 18-inch wheels on the Sport make the ride less comfortable on city streets. All other aspects of the driving experience are confidence-inspiring, even a little bit sporty. The steering has a rather quick ratio but a hefty, secure feel at speed, which helps make the Soul feel nimble but surefooted.

Although the Soul is just as fuel-efficient as most compact cars in the city, its highway fuel economy numbers aren't as impressive. Soul models with the 1.6-liter engine, whether they have the manual or automatic transmission, the EPA estimates the base Soul's fuel economy at 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 28 mpg in combined driving. The 2.0-liter engine is estimated at 24/30/26 mpg for either manual or automatic transmissions.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube have a tie between their combined mpg figure and city mpg figure, the only difference is in their highway mpg range. The Scion xB however has the least figures, dropping down to a 24 mpg mark combined. The fuel capacity of these vehicles are pretty good for the class. The Scion xB and the Nissan lead the way here, with Kia following behind them with a 12.7 gallon fuel capacity.

We give Kia high praise for the Soul’s interior. Not only does it feature radical themes, such as an available Hound’s Tooth fabric interior and red backlit speaker grilles that pulsate to the music’s beat (this feature can be turned on and off), it also is highly functional and just plain fun.

Owners who choose the Sport model receive a black and bright red interior including a red dash and glove box. Functional features include front and center iPod bins, a dual-shelf glovebox, fold flush rear seats and a storage bin under the cargo area’s floor.

There's no shortage of space inside, with high-mounted seats providing plenty of legroom for even the tallest passengers, while the tall, boxy roof line offers ample headroom. Luggage space behind the rear seats amounts to 19 cubic feet. Folding these seats flat kicks that figure up to 53 cubes. This is several feet shy of the Nissan Cube and well short of the Scion xB's 70 cubic feet.

• Heated Front Seats
• Ambient interior lighting
• Steering Wheel Controls
• Adjustable steering wheel column
• Optional Heated steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

2011 Kia Soul Wagon Infotainment System

The 2011 Kia Soul is marketed much like vehicles from Toyota's Scion brand—that is, with some room for accessories or customization. But even if you skip the add-ons, the base Soul Kia is no featureless economy vehicle.

The Soul also handily beats its older competitors in standard and optional features, with only the Scion xB nearing its offerings. Standard features on the base Soul include Sirius Satellite Radio (the first three months of service are free), USB and auxiliary inputs for music players. The Soul+ adds steering-wheel audio switches, Bluetooth connectivity, and dual 12V outlets. Next up is the Soul! gets a 315-watt audio system with speaker lighting, which illuminates according to music beat or "mood."

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• CD Player
• MP3 Player
• Satellite Radio

From its intricately detailed headlamp housing to its uncommon profile, the 2011 Kia Soul is anything but commonplace. The base car sports black door handles and mirrors, while the others tout body-colored bits. A wide variety of accessories and wheels further distinguish the models.

The Soul has 15-inch wheels, the Soul + rides on 16-inch wheels, and 18-inch wheels come on the Soul ! and Soul Sport. True to its hip and cool nature, the Soul also features a number of eye-popping color choices. 

While a number of boxy, small vehicles show restraint in their designs, the Kia Soul brings, at least from the outside, some of the quirkiness of a concept car to the driveway. The 2011 Soul is a fun take on the now-popular "urban wagon" theme; it wins on styling, hands-down. The reverse boomerang of the rear end reminds some of the In-N-Out burger logo; to others, it's simply a crisp, rakish shape with a little bit of busy detailing up front. The front wears the new Kia corporate grille and friendly-feeling headlamps; the rear is less tidy, but the square, tall taillamps frame a light and lofty hatchback that's nearly vertical, which is a nice punctuation to the Soul's casual leaning stance.

• Steel wheels
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Fog Lamps (optional)
• Auto-Off Headlights (optional)
• Sunroof/moonroof

For a small car, especially one with such a low price, the 2011 Kia Soul comes with a very extensive (and complete) set of safety equipment. Front side and side-curtain airbags are included, along with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and electronic stability control. The front seats also have active head restraints, which help curb whiplash.

In new federal safety tests, administered by NHTSA, the 2011 Kia Soul achieves four-star frontal and five-star side protection, with a respectable four-star overall score. And in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the Soul has top 'good' results in every category. In addition, the 2011 Kia Soul gets a top five-star rating from the IIHS in its new side pole test.

• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control
• Fully Equipped Airbags

The 2011 Kia Soul is highly rated among the overtly boxy competition that includes the 2011 Nissan Cube and 2011 Scion xB. Both can accommodate more cargo than the Kia with their rear seats stowed, but the Soul scores points for having the most attractive design in our eyes. There are a few more conventional choices as well, such as the 2011 Honda Fit and the 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman; they, too, have sharp styling, athletic handling and surprising cargo versatility. But the Kia Soul gets just about everything right. And for that, we think it's worth adding to your short list.