+ FWD
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
+ 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
+ 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6M)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
Don’t want to go far?
Find all cars near me?LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
GT-Line 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
GT-Line 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
+ 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
GT-Line 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
+ FWD
Overall Rating
The 2019 Kia Soul demands a starting price tag of about $16,500 for its base trim and offers 3 engine options; a 130-horsepower 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine, a 161-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder motor.
The 2019 Kia Soul offers something for everyone. It comes with sporty dynamics with its top trims, extensive safety features with the mid trims, and offers incredible value for money with its lower trims. Since its launch in 2008, the Soul has gained popularity due to its sporty runabout nature which suites many American families.
It is a subcompact crossover that is more useful than a hatchback but offers similar driving dynamics. The 2019 Kia Soul is still a second-generation car that was introduced in 2013. However, with its 2019 model year, it does offer some updates to provide a refreshing experience to its new customers.
Most buyers will be satisfied with the performance of the 2.0-liter engine. The Soul Plus trim with its 2.0 L engine and generous list of features will make your overall ownership experience a hassle free affair.
S 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
GT-Line 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
+ FWD
LX 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
The 2019 Kia Soul demands a starting price tag of about $16,500 for its base trim and offers 3 engine options; a 130-horsepower 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine, a 161-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder motor.
The 2019 Kia Soul offers something for everyone. It comes with sporty dynamics with its top trims, extensive safety features with the mid trims, and offers incredible value for money with its lower trims. Since its launch in 2008, the Soul has gained popularity due to its sporty runabout nature which suites many American families.
It is a subcompact crossover that is more useful than a hatchback but offers similar driving dynamics. The 2019 Kia Soul is still a second-generation car that was introduced in 2013. However, with its 2019 model year, it does offer some updates to provide a refreshing experience to its new customers.
The 2019 Kia Soul model comes with three trim options to choose from. The base trim is offered with a 1.6-liter engine with 130 horsepower, and 6-speed manual transmission. The base trim comes with automatic headlights, a rearview camera, 60/40-split folding rear seats, air conditioning, a 5-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker sound system.
The Plus trim adds a larger 2.0-liter engine, which makes 161 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. This trim adds more comfort and convenience features. It offers keyless entry, cruise control, a front center armrest and bin, and a rear center armrest.
The top-spec Exclaim trim is offered with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, which puts down 201 horsepower, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It also offers an upgraded instrument cluster, leather seat upholstery, and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Trim |
Base |
Plus(+) |
Exclaim (!) |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP 2WD |
$16,490 |
$20,490 |
$22,990 |
Key Features |
Adds or replaces features from Base trim: |
Adds or replaces features from Plus trim: |
|
1.6 liter DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
2.0 liter DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
1.6 liter DOHC 16-valve I-4, w/ Turbocharger |
|
6-Speed Manual |
6-Speed Automatic |
7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) |
|
16" Alloy Wheels |
17" Alloy Wheels |
18" Alloy Wheels, 10 Spoke |
|
Rear-Camera Display |
|||
5" Touch-Screen Display |
UVO with 7" Touch-Screen Display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
||
Cruise Control with Steering-Wheel-Mounted Controls |
|||
Supervision Meter Cluster with 4.3" Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Color LCD Display |
Which trim should you buy?
Most buyers will be satisfied with the performance of the 2.0-liter engine. The Soul Plus trim with its 2.0 L engine and a generous list of features will make your overall ownership experience a hassle-free affair.
The 2019 Kia Soul's base trim is powered by a 1.6-liter engine that is capable of pushing out 130 horsepower and comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission. This engine is strictly for buyers on a very tight budget as it does not offer much in terms of performance. The plus trim brings a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that generates 161 horsepower, good enough to take care of most of your driving requirements. The 2019 Soul is, by all means, affordable transportation, but it wouldn't disappoint you as you potter around the town or roam the freeway at the weekend. The third and the most expensive engine on offer is a sprightly 1.6-liter turbo-four engine that makes a good 201 horsepower. This engine provides more than adequate grunt for your everyday needs and puts the Soul into the sporty car category.
A traditional six-speed transmission takes care of gear shifting work. It is a refined unit and makes its presence hardly noticeable in the cabin. It isn't lightning fast but at the same time, it doesn't hesitate while shifting gears. The Soul has various drive modes on offer and depending on the mode, the transmission holds gear for better acceleration or shifts in favor of better fuel efficiency.
Models |
Kia Soul |
Toyota C-HR |
Hyundai Kona |
Buick Encore |
Mazda CX-3 |
Subaru Crosstrek |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$20,490 |
$20,945 |
$19,500 |
$23,200 |
$20,390 |
$21,859 |
Engine |
2.0L I-4, DOHC Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) |
2.0 Liter Inline-4 |
2.0 Liter Inline-4 |
1.4 Liter Turbocharged Inline-4 |
2.0 Liter Inline-4 |
2.0 Liter Boxer-4 |
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
2-speed CVT with Overdrive and auto-manual |
6-speed automatic with Overdrive and auto-manual |
6-speed automatic with Overdrive and auto-manual |
2-speed CVT with Overdrive and Manual mode |
6-speed manual/7-speed automatic with auto-manual |
Horsepower |
161 hp @ 6,200 rpm |
144 hp @ 6100 rpm |
147 hp @ 6200 rpm |
138 hp @ 4900 rpm |
148 hp @ 6000 rpm |
152 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Torque |
150 lb.-ft. @ 4,700 rpm |
139 lb. ft. @ 3900 rpm |
132 lb. ft. @ 4500 rpm |
148 lb. ft. @ 1850 rpm |
146 lb. ft. @ 2800 rpm |
145 lb. ft. @ 4000 rpm |
The vehicles in this segment have three displacements on offer, from tiny 1.4-liter mills, 1.6 liter, and 2-liter ones. With a lot of products in this segment, if you have a special requirement you can easily chose one. Kia Soul in its base configuration is currently the most affordable car in this segment. Buick Encore is the most expensive, starting at a base price of $23,200.
Performance figures for 2019 cars are unavailable right now. Most of the cars don't receive major changes to their powertrain. As such, we have included the specs from the 2018 Kia Soul. For comparison purposes, other cars also sport performance figures for their 2018 models.
The Kia Soul is offered with a manual transmission in the base trim if you are on a budget and fancy fun to drive car. For those who are looking for more performance in their crossover, then Kia Soul's Exclaim trim comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that puts class-leading performance (0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds)
Models |
Kia Soul |
Toyota C-HR |
Hyundai Kona |
Buick Encore |
Mazda CX-3 |
Subaru Crosstrek |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH (sec) |
8.5 |
11.0 |
10.0 |
8.4 |
8.6 |
9.0 |
Quarter mile (sec) |
16.7 |
18.4 |
17.3 |
16.2 |
16.3 |
16.9 |
Compared to the competition, the Kia Soul doesn't feel too slow. Most of the competitors are slower to the 60 MPH mark, with the exception of Buick Encore. Kia Soul with its 2.0-liter engine is comfortably placed in the upper echelons of the segment.
Don't let that boxy look fool you into assuming the Kia Soul to be a bland little vehicle. Like other subcompacts, Kia prioritizes comfort over sportiness, but that doesn't mean you can't drive it hard. Around the corners, this Kia can surprise you with its agility. And when we talk about maneuverability in tight spots, Soul's dimensions are perfectly suited to tight parking spots.
The steering has decent heft at all the speeds and it is accompanied by a good on-center feel. The ride quality is fine, with the suspension sprung neither too stiff nor too soft. With a ground clearance of 5.9 inches, don't expect the Kia Soul to do well on the detours through the broads. Overall, the Kia soul might not be the most athletic car in its class but it composed over highway speed and offers nimble handling with smooth ride quality.
The 2019 Kia Soul gets disc brakes on all four wheels, the front discs are ventilated and the rear is solid. The Kia Soul is quite heavy for a subcompact crossover at 3163 pounds. The 2018 model performed well in the braking tests. This year too, the Kia Soul is expected to offer a similar performance.
Model |
Kia Soul |
Toyota C-HR |
Hyundai Kona |
Buick Encore |
Mazda CX-3 |
Subaru Crosstrek |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
11.0 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
11 |
11.6 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
10.3 |
11.1 |
9.0 (Drum) |
10.6 |
11.1 |
10.8 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3163 |
3300 |
2890 |
3237 |
2809 |
3113 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
The 2019 cars haven't been tested for panic braking, so there aren't any figures to talk about. The only significant fact to mention here would be that currently, the 2019 Kona offers drum brakes at the rear as standard. This is quite disappointing, although the final judgment is reserved for after brake testing.
By using a larger 2.0-liter engine, Kia has sacrificed fuel economy for livelier performance. If you want more fuel economy from the Kia Soul, then pick the smaller 1.6-liter engine, but if you don't want to compromise on performance either, then get the turbocharged engine which is available with the top-spec Exclaim trim. The 2019 Kia Soul returns a 27 MPG combined in the mid-spec Plus trim which is good, but nothing extraordinary. In fact, the Soul manages to return 25 MPG in the city, which is a figure lower than what most competitors have to offer.
Model |
Kia Soul |
Toyota C-HR |
Hyundai Kona |
Buick Encore |
Mazda CX-3 |
Subaru Crosstrek |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
25 |
27 |
27 |
26 |
29 |
23 |
MPG (highway) |
30 |
31 |
33 |
31 |
34 |
29 |
MPG (combined) |
27 |
29 |
30 |
28 |
31 |
26 |
The 2019 Crosstrek, with its quirky boxer-4, is the least fuel-efficient car in this comparison. Its average economy figure of 26 MPG is the lowest in the segment. The Mazda CX3 is the most efficient here, achieving a class-leading 31 MPG combined, followed closely by the Toyota C-HR. The Mazda also manages to deliver up to 34 miles per gallon on the highway, which certainly is an impressive figure.
In terms of the interiors, the 2019 Kia Soul provides an upmarket cabin that feels quite spacious for a subcompact crossover. A boxy car means a lot of headroom, and that's exactly what you get inside the Soul. The doors open wide, making it fairly easy to get in and out. The driving position is also unique, it isn't as sporty as a sedan but due to the higher seating position, you have a commanding view of the front. The front seats offer basic adjustments but with their good support, you would be comfortable even after long journeys.
The dashboard offers a bulbous look and the center console is tilted a bit towards the driver. All the buttons and knobs are within arm's reach and it is not difficult to find a good driving position. At the rear, it could feel a bit snug for three people, owing to the narrow profile of the car. The rear seats can fold traditionally with a 60:40 split for bulky luggage. Apart from that, you can also fold the seats upwards to use the under-seat area as well. As such you can fit taller cargo in the rear of the cabin and use the trunk for other luggage. Simple details like this add practicality points to the score.Â
Model |
Kia Soul |
Toyota C-HR |
Hyundai Kona |
Buick Encore |
Mazda CX-3 |
Subaru Crosstrek |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front (cu. ft) Head room |
39.6 |
38.1 |
39.6 |
39.6 |
38.4 |
39.8 |
Shoulder room |
55.5 |
49 |
55.5 |
54.2 |
53.5 |
56.7 |
Leg room |
40.9 |
43.5 |
41.5 |
40.8 |
41.7 |
43.1 |
Rear (cu. ft) Head room |
39.5 |
38.3 |
37.8 |
38.8 |
37.2 |
38 |
Shoulder room |
54.7 |
52.5 |
54.5 |
52.5 |
50.4 |
55.6 |
Leg room |
39.1 |
31.7 |
34.6 |
35.8 |
35 |
36.5 |
Cargo Volume with Rear seats folded (ft.3) |
49.5 |
36.4 |
45.8 |
48.4 |
44.5 |
55.3 |
The biggest advantage of purchasing a crossover is the magnificent trunk space that comes along with it. Anyone who has ever used Kia Soul will attest to the fact that this car simply gobbles up your luggage. It would shame most sedans in the market, and hold the top spot in the segment.
If you fold the seats, then the Crosstrek inches ahead to steal the second spot. The American contenders, i.e., the Buick and the Chevrolet, have the smallest trunks in the segment. Thankfully, they gain a lot more space with the rear seats folded.
Interior Features
The Soul is also offered with a simple yet functional 6-speaker sound system. You can listen to music on the SiriusXM Satellite Radio, or stream your favorite playlist via Bluetooth Audio Streaming. There's also USB and Aux support for improved flexibility, along with steering-wheel-mounted control for maximum ergonomics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on all trims.
Other standard features include:
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The 2019 Kia Soul is a looker, with a white paint job it is hard to ignore the uncanny resemblance to a Stormtrooper vehicle. The front grille is there for the show and merely a part of the form but there are many bits and pieces that follow function, the boxy exterior has its share of curves that play their part to aid in achieving better aerodynamics. Even the windshield is curved to achieve a better drag coefficient and increase fuel efficiency.
In terms of sheer size, the Kia Soul measures 163 inches long. The wheelbase is just above 101 inches, which when combined with the high roof and the boxy design, translates to a generous space inside. At 3163 pounds, the Kia Soul is among the heavyweights in the segment.
Model |
Kia Soul |
Toyota C-HR |
Hyundai Kona |
Buick Encore |
Mazda CX-3 |
Subaru Crosstrek |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs.) |
3163 |
3300 |
2890 |
3237 |
2809 |
3157 |
Length(in) |
163.0 |
171.2 |
164.0 |
168.4 |
168.3 |
175.8 |
Width(in) |
70.9 |
70.7 |
70.9 |
70.1 |
69.6 |
71 |
Height(in) |
63.5 |
61.6 |
61 |
65.2 |
60.7 |
63.6 |
Ground clearance (in) |
5.9 |
5.9 |
6.7 |
6.2 |
6.1 |
8.7 |
Wheelbase (in) |
101.2 |
103.9 |
102.4 |
100.6 |
101.2 |
104.9 |
Track width (in) F/R |
61.7/62.2 |
60.6/60.6 |
N/A |
60.62/60.62 |
60/59.5 |
61/61.2 |
The Subaru Crosstrek has the most length, width, and height, giving it a very commanding stance. It also has the highest ground clearance, and it was built to take the lesser-known path. On the other side of the segment is the Kia Soul which is only 163 inches long, smaller than a few hatchbacks!
The 2019 Kia Soul has scored great points in all crash tests. In fact, the IIHS has labeled the car as a good performer and has granted it the Top Safety Pick status. The NHTSA has also granted the Kia Soul full five stars in terms of safety. Kia offers automatic emergency braking but only as an option. Other options include blind-spot monitoring, while a rearview camera is standard now.
Safety Features
Kia Soul vs Toyota CHR
Toyota and Kia know how to play their cards well. Kia Soul and Toyota C-HR possess distinct exterior design, roomy interior and good EPA ratings. Kia Soul gets standard Apple Carplay and Android Auto on all trims. Kia offers a massive 10-year/100,000 warranty.
CHR offers active safety features standard on all the trims and Toyota's brand value will also guarantee a better resale value. Overall Toyota CHR would be a better choice if you are in for a brand-new design.
Kia Soul vs Mazda CX 3
The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is offered with 44.5 cubic feet of cargo room while the Kia Soul is available with 61.3 cubic feet of room that can easily accommodate a lot of shopping bags, music equipment or even help you move apartments.
When we compare the price, performance, and cargo room of these two vehicles then it is easy to find that Kia Soul offers better value for your money.
The 2019 Kia Soul has scored big on style and street presence. Even after a decade of its introduction, it has maintained steady sales for Kia and helped to fill the void between hatchbacks and crossover SUVs in the market. The 2019 Kia Soul is an all-rounder, as it offers great value with its exuberant list of standard features. If you are car-shopping on a limited budget then Kia Soul offers a roomy, well-built cabin at an affordable price. For someone who wants a car that can do respectable 0-60 mph runs then Kia has also got you covered with its 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. Thus, the 2019 Kia Soul is a practical and a value money crossover that will not make you regret your buying decision.