Kia Soul (2025)
Roomy, distinctive, and affordable, with easy city manners but modest power and no AWD.
The 2025 Kia Soul is the automotive equivalent of a practical tote bag with personality: compact outside, surprisingly spacious inside, and easy to live with. It targets commuters, first-time buyers, and small families who need room and flexibility without SUV-sized prices. Its boxy cabin delivers comfortable seating and useful cargo capacity, while clear visibility, a comfortable ride, and easy parking support Kia’s urban-friendly pitch. Expert and owner feedback broadly backs that up, though the 147-hp engine is merely adequate, highway noise intrudes, and front-wheel drive only limits winter appeal. Hard plastics and a rough stop-start system are fair tradeoffs for pricing around $20,500 to $26,200, generous equipment, and a strong warranty. Overall value depends on prioritizing practicality and personality over speed, refinement, or all-weather capability.
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Benefits
Upright design gives passengers comfortable space without making city parking or tight streets difficult.
Square proportions carry groceries, luggage, and everyday gear more easily than most small cars.
Excellent visibility, light controls, and a tight turning radius make everyday maneuvering feel simple.
Affordable pricing, generous standard features, and a long warranty make ownership feel refreshingly sensible.
Distinctive styling and available two-tone details help owners avoid driving another forgettable small crossover.
Trade-Offs
Merging and passing require patience because the engine feels noticeably strained at higher speeds.
Tire and wind noise become noticeable on highways, making conversation and music less relaxing.
Front-wheel drive only can feel less secure on snowy roads than similarly sized AWD alternatives.
The engine restart can feel abrupt in traffic, interrupting the otherwise easygoing driving experience.
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Publications
3 LEADING PUBLICATION REVIEWS
Car and Driver is clearly positive on the 2025 Kia Soul, calling it quirky, practical, and unusually roomy for its compact footprint. Its upright shape makes city parking easy while accommodating four adults and plenty of cargo—seven carry-on cases behind the rear seats and 20 with them folded. The review also appreciates the generous standard equipment, strong warranty, personalization options, and appealing GT-Line styling. Around town, the Soul feels lively enough, rides comfortably, and returns respectable highway fuel economy, while its affordable pricing undercuts similarly sized all-wheel-drive rivals. The compromises are equally clear: front-wheel drive is the only configuration, acceleration is mediocre at 8.0 seconds to 60 mph, handling is unremarkable, and competitors are more efficient in the city. Still, the Soul’s blend of personality, practicality, value, and easygoing usability earns a favorable 8/10 verdict.
By Drew Dorian
Kelley Blue Book is highly positive about the 2025 Kia Soul, calling it charming, practical, affordable, and exceptional. Its boxy design gives the Soul unusual character while creating genuinely useful passenger and cargo space, including an impressive 62.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The reviewer also enjoyed its maneuverability, easy parking, comfortable ride, solid fuel economy, user-friendly technology, and strong warranty coverage. The 147-horsepower engine is adequate for everyday driving, though freeway noise rises and acceleration is hardly thrilling. Inside, some plastics feel cheap, and the narrow rear seat is best for two adults; the seats also don’t fold completely flat. Still, those are modest compromises in a distinctive, well-priced commuter that offers more personality and practicality than most small cars. KBB’s 4.4/5 rating reflects an enthusiastic recommendation, especially for buyers seeking value without settling for something bland.
By Colin Ryan
Car and Driver is clearly positive on the 2025 Kia Soul, calling it quirky, practical, and unusually roomy for its compact footprint. Its upright shape makes city parking easy while accommodating four adults and plenty of cargo—seven carry-on cases behind the rear seats and 20 with them folded. The review also appreciates the generous standard equipment, strong warranty, personalization options, and appealing GT-Line styling. Around town, the Soul feels lively enough, rides comfortably, and returns respectable highway fuel economy, while its affordable pricing undercuts similarly sized all-wheel-drive rivals. The compromises are equally clear: front-wheel drive is the only configuration, acceleration is mediocre at 8.0 seconds to 60 mph, handling is unremarkable, and competitors are more efficient in the city. Still, the Soul’s blend of personality, practicality, value, and easygoing usability earns a favorable 8/10 verdict.
By Drew Dorian
Kelley Blue Book is highly positive about the 2025 Kia Soul, calling it charming, practical, affordable, and exceptional. Its boxy design gives the Soul unusual character while creating genuinely useful passenger and cargo space, including an impressive 62.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The reviewer also enjoyed its maneuverability, easy parking, comfortable ride, solid fuel economy, user-friendly technology, and strong warranty coverage. The 147-horsepower engine is adequate for everyday driving, though freeway noise rises and acceleration is hardly thrilling. Inside, some plastics feel cheap, and the narrow rear seat is best for two adults; the seats also don’t fold completely flat. Still, those are modest compromises in a distinctive, well-priced commuter that offers more personality and practicality than most small cars. KBB’s 4.4/5 rating reflects an enthusiastic recommendation, especially for buyers seeking value without settling for something bland.
By Colin Ryan
YouTube
13 LEADING EXPERT & INFLUENCER REVIEWS
Car ConfectionsCar Confections is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Kia Soul’s value and practicality. The boxy design creates unusually roomy rear seats and useful cargo space, while the naturally aspirated engine, smooth ride, impressive 54.8-dB cabin reading, and available Harman Kardon audio add surprising refinement for the price. They praise its straightforward powertrain, strong warranty, standard driver assistance, and sub-$30,000 pricing, especially the Soulmate Special Edition. Performance is merely adequate, and the Soul lacks all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control on most trims, and some interior polish, but the overall verdict is that it is an exceptionally appealing affordable commuter and family vehicle.
Raiti's RidesJoe Rady is highly impressed by the 2025 Kia Soul’s practicality, comfort, and value. He praises its roomy, well-organized cabin, generous cargo flexibility, clear technology, heated seats, quiet ride, strong visibility, and distinctive two-tone styling. The EX’s 147-hp engine is understandably slow and produces an uninspiring note, though manually selecting the simulated CVT gears adds some responsiveness. Rady also flags the beige headliner, conventional lighting, confusing shift direction, and lack of AWD, but treats them as minor compromises. Overall, he views the Soul as an unusually comfortable, versatile, affordable urban vehicle that delivers substantial usefulness in a small package.
Car ConfectionsCar Confections is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Kia Soul’s value and practicality. The boxy design creates unusually roomy rear seats and useful cargo space, while the naturally aspirated engine, smooth ride, impressive 54.8-dB cabin reading, and available Harman Kardon audio add surprising refinement for the price. They praise its straightforward powertrain, strong warranty, standard driver assistance, and sub-$30,000 pricing, especially the Soulmate Special Edition. Performance is merely adequate, and the Soul lacks all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control on most trims, and some interior polish, but the overall verdict is that it is an exceptionally appealing affordable commuter and family vehicle.
Raiti's RidesJoe Rady is highly impressed by the 2025 Kia Soul’s practicality, comfort, and value. He praises its roomy, well-organized cabin, generous cargo flexibility, clear technology, heated seats, quiet ride, strong visibility, and distinctive two-tone styling. The EX’s 147-hp engine is understandably slow and produces an uninspiring note, though manually selecting the simulated CVT gears adds some responsiveness. Rady also flags the beige headliner, conventional lighting, confusing shift direction, and lack of AWD, but treats them as minor compromises. Overall, he views the Soul as an unusually comfortable, versatile, affordable urban vehicle that delivers substantial usefulness in a small package.
Car ConfectionsCar Confections is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Kia Soul’s value and practicality. The boxy design creates unusually roomy rear seats and useful cargo space, while the naturally aspirated engine, smooth ride, impressive 54.8-dB cabin reading, and available Harman Kardon audio add surprising refinement for the price. They praise its straightforward powertrain, strong warranty, standard driver assistance, and sub-$30,000 pricing, especially the Soulmate Special Edition. Performance is merely adequate, and the Soul lacks all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control on most trims, and some interior polish, but the overall verdict is that it is an exceptionally appealing affordable commuter and family vehicle.
Raiti's RidesJoe Rady is highly impressed by the 2025 Kia Soul’s practicality, comfort, and value. He praises its roomy, well-organized cabin, generous cargo flexibility, clear technology, heated seats, quiet ride, strong visibility, and distinctive two-tone styling. The EX’s 147-hp engine is understandably slow and produces an uninspiring note, though manually selecting the simulated CVT gears adds some responsiveness. Rady also flags the beige headliner, conventional lighting, confusing shift direction, and lack of AWD, but treats them as minor compromises. Overall, he views the Soul as an unusually comfortable, versatile, affordable urban vehicle that delivers substantial usefulness in a small package.
Car ConfectionsCar Confections is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Kia Soul’s value and practicality. The boxy design creates unusually roomy rear seats and useful cargo space, while the naturally aspirated engine, smooth ride, impressive 54.8-dB cabin reading, and available Harman Kardon audio add surprising refinement for the price. They praise its straightforward powertrain, strong warranty, standard driver assistance, and sub-$30,000 pricing, especially the Soulmate Special Edition. Performance is merely adequate, and the Soul lacks all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control on most trims, and some interior polish, but the overall verdict is that it is an exceptionally appealing affordable commuter and family vehicle.
Raiti's RidesJoe Rady is highly impressed by the 2025 Kia Soul’s practicality, comfort, and value. He praises its roomy, well-organized cabin, generous cargo flexibility, clear technology, heated seats, quiet ride, strong visibility, and distinctive two-tone styling. The EX’s 147-hp engine is understandably slow and produces an uninspiring note, though manually selecting the simulated CVT gears adds some responsiveness. Rady also flags the beige headliner, conventional lighting, confusing shift direction, and lack of AWD, but treats them as minor compromises. Overall, he views the Soul as an unusually comfortable, versatile, affordable urban vehicle that delivers substantial usefulness in a small package.
Car ConfectionsCar Confections is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Kia Soul’s value and practicality. The boxy design creates unusually roomy rear seats and useful cargo space, while the naturally aspirated engine, smooth ride, impressive 54.8-dB cabin reading, and available Harman Kardon audio add surprising refinement for the price. They praise its straightforward powertrain, strong warranty, standard driver assistance, and sub-$30,000 pricing, especially the Soulmate Special Edition. Performance is merely adequate, and the Soul lacks all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control on most trims, and some interior polish, but the overall verdict is that it is an exceptionally appealing affordable commuter and family vehicle.
Raiti's RidesJoe Rady is highly impressed by the 2025 Kia Soul’s practicality, comfort, and value. He praises its roomy, well-organized cabin, generous cargo flexibility, clear technology, heated seats, quiet ride, strong visibility, and distinctive two-tone styling. The EX’s 147-hp engine is understandably slow and produces an uninspiring note, though manually selecting the simulated CVT gears adds some responsiveness. Rady also flags the beige headliner, conventional lighting, confusing shift direction, and lack of AWD, but treats them as minor compromises. Overall, he views the Soul as an unusually comfortable, versatile, affordable urban vehicle that delivers substantial usefulness in a small package.
Car ConfectionsCar Confections is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Kia Soul’s value and practicality. The boxy design creates unusually roomy rear seats and useful cargo space, while the naturally aspirated engine, smooth ride, impressive 54.8-dB cabin reading, and available Harman Kardon audio add surprising refinement for the price. They praise its straightforward powertrain, strong warranty, standard driver assistance, and sub-$30,000 pricing, especially the Soulmate Special Edition. Performance is merely adequate, and the Soul lacks all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control on most trims, and some interior polish, but the overall verdict is that it is an exceptionally appealing affordable commuter and family vehicle.
Raiti's RidesJoe Rady is highly impressed by the 2025 Kia Soul’s practicality, comfort, and value. He praises its roomy, well-organized cabin, generous cargo flexibility, clear technology, heated seats, quiet ride, strong visibility, and distinctive two-tone styling. The EX’s 147-hp engine is understandably slow and produces an uninspiring note, though manually selecting the simulated CVT gears adds some responsiveness. Rady also flags the beige headliner, conventional lighting, confusing shift direction, and lack of AWD, but treats them as minor compromises. Overall, he views the Soul as an unusually comfortable, versatile, affordable urban vehicle that delivers substantial usefulness in a small package.
Car ConfectionsCar Confections is highly enthusiastic about the 2025 Kia Soul’s value and practicality. The boxy design creates unusually roomy rear seats and useful cargo space, while the naturally aspirated engine, smooth ride, impressive 54.8-dB cabin reading, and available Harman Kardon audio add surprising refinement for the price. They praise its straightforward powertrain, strong warranty, standard driver assistance, and sub-$30,000 pricing, especially the Soulmate Special Edition. Performance is merely adequate, and the Soul lacks all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control on most trims, and some interior polish, but the overall verdict is that it is an exceptionally appealing affordable commuter and family vehicle.
Raiti's RidesJoe Rady is highly impressed by the 2025 Kia Soul’s practicality, comfort, and value. He praises its roomy, well-organized cabin, generous cargo flexibility, clear technology, heated seats, quiet ride, strong visibility, and distinctive two-tone styling. The EX’s 147-hp engine is understandably slow and produces an uninspiring note, though manually selecting the simulated CVT gears adds some responsiveness. Rady also flags the beige headliner, conventional lighting, confusing shift direction, and lack of AWD, but treats them as minor compromises. Overall, he views the Soul as an unusually comfortable, versatile, affordable urban vehicle that delivers substantial usefulness in a small package.
Forum Reviews
CUSTOMER REVIEWS FROM 1 FORUM
Redditors are broadly positive about the 2025 Kia Soul, especially its distinctive design, practicality, efficiency, and affordability. Owners describe it as comfortable, easy to drive and park, surprisingly roomy, and capable of roughly 36–43 mpg in favorable conditions. The 2.0-liter engine is adequate rather than sporty, while higher trims add desirable features but may not justify their premium. Newer Souls inspire more confidence than older oil-burning generations, though diligent oil changes and complete service records remain wise. Theft-related break-ins and insurance costs still concern shoppers, even where immobilizers are standard, and lane-keeping assistance can feel intrusive.
Many comments
In-Depth Review
Highlights
- •Roomy CabinReviews found comfortable space for four.
- •Flexible CargoDesigned to carry everyday loads easily.
- •Easy City DrivingReviews noted clear visibility and maneuverability.
- •Accessible PricingMarketed as a budget-friendly commuter.
Considerations
- •Slow Highway Performance147 hp requires patience when merging.
- •No All-Wheel DriveFront-wheel drive limits snowy-road confidence.
- •Highway Cabin NoiseRoad and tire noise increase at speed.
- •Hard Interior MaterialsCost-saving plastics reduce upscale feel.
Kia’s Soul remains a distinctive, value-focused alternative to increasingly expensive small crossovers. With room for four adults and 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space, it suits urban commuters, first-time buyers, and small families who want practical transport without a generic design. Its 147-hp 2.0-liter engine is functional rather than fast, while the comfortable ride, clear visibility, and compact dimensions make daily driving easy. Compared with more crossover-like rivals, the Soul prioritizes personality and packaging over AWD, athletic performance, or premium materials. The following sections examine its real-world efficiency, city maneuverability, cabin comfort, acceleration, and interior finish—areas where expert and owner impressions are generally favorable but not unanimous. Pay closest attention to the compromises that affect your routine, because this quirky Kia proves that practical doesn’t have to mean predictable.
Ride Comfort and Handling
The Soul favors relaxed daily driving over athletic cornering. Its comfortable ride absorbs ordinary urban imperfections reasonably well, and the independent suspension, confident brakes, and light steering make it approachable. Reviewers describe handling as nimble or playful at city speeds, though body roll and road-focused ride tuning can appear on rougher pavement. At highway speeds, road and tire noise become more noticeable, tempering refinement. Overall, it feels composed and easygoing, not like a sporty crossover despite the GT-Line name.
Interior Build Quality
The cabin prioritizes equipment and usability over tactile luxury. Higher trims can add a 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated seats, wireless charging, and available Harman Kardon audio, while physical controls keep common functions simple. However, hard interior plastics and basic halogen lighting remain visible cost-saving choices, and rear amenities are sparse. Expert and owner impressions generally treat the materials as acceptable for the price, not premium. The Soul feels well organized and feature-rich, but buyers seeking soft-touch surfaces or polished ambience should look higher in the market.
Acceleration and Engine Performance
The Soul is capable in traffic but not quick when speed matters. Its naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque through an IVT, with testing landing around 8.0 seconds to 60 mph. That is adequate for commuting, yet merging and passing can require planning, and the engine may sound strained. Some reviewers find throttle response livelier than expected, while others criticize CVT hesitation and noisy acceleration, so performance is best viewed as functional rather than exciting.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is a practical strength, though results depend heavily on conditions. Official figures generally sit around 27–29 mpg city and 33–35 mpg highway, or roughly 30–31 mpg combined, using regular gasoline. Some owners report 36–43 mpg in favorable conditions, but those figures are anecdotal rather than representative. A 14.3-gallon tank supports a useful estimated range, while Edmunds found real-world economy harder to match. The naturally aspirated engine avoids premium-fuel demands, helping keep routine commuting costs predictable.
Urban Maneuverability
The Soul is particularly well suited to crowded streets and tight parking spaces. Its 34.8-foot turning diameter, upright sightlines, and compact 165.2-inch length make low-speed maneuvering straightforward, while standard lane assistance can help on longer trips. The elevated, boxy profile also makes corners and hatch access easy to judge. User feedback generally supports the visibility and parking-friendly character, although some drivers find lane-keeping intervention intrusive. Front-wheel drive is fine for normal pavement but limits appeal in snowy regions.
Interior and Cargo Space
The Soul makes its compact footprint feel unusually generous inside. Its boxy cabin provides comfortable room for four adults, with reported rear legroom near 38.8 inches and a useful upright seating position. Behind the rear seats, 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space handles groceries and luggage well, expanding to 62.1 cubic feet when folded, although the seats leave a hump rather than a flat floor. Reviews support Kia’s practicality claims, while the narrow rear bench is best treated as a two-adult space.
Conclusion
The Soul’s final takeaway is refreshingly clear: its roomy cabin and flexible cargo area make a small footprint feel genuinely useful, while easy parking, good visibility, and a comfortable ride suit urban routines. The 147-hp engine is adequate for commuting but slow for highway merges, and owners’ fuel-economy reports are encouraging even if real-world results vary. Handling feels approachable rather than sporty, with road noise becoming more obvious at speed. Inside, straightforward technology and available upgrades offset hard plastic materials and sparse rear amenities. This is a smart choice for budget-focused drivers, small families, and anyone who values personality and practicality; it is less convincing for buyers needing AWD, strong acceleration, or upscale refinement. Its broad usefulness, sensible pricing, and manageable compromises justify a positive recommendation.
Feature Scores
This reflects reviews and ratings from established critics, journalists, and users who have evaluated the item. Their opinions provide a comprehensive assessment.
Performance
Engine Power
3/5
Acceleration
2/5
Towing Capacity
TBD
Fuel Efficiency
4/5
Reliability
3/5
Durability
3/5
Value
Purchase Price
4/5
Operating Cost
4/5
Resale Value
3/5
Design
Interior Space
4/5
Cargo Capacity
4/5
Ergonomics
4/5
Exterior Styling
5/5
Health
Cabin Air Quality
TBD
Interior Material Toxicity
TBD
Safety
Crashworthiness
4/5
Active Driver Assistance
4/5
Braking Performance
4/5
Visibility and Lighting
4/5
Sustainability
Tailpipe Emissions
3/5
Fuel Lifecycle Emissions
2/5
Use of Recycled Materials
TBD
End-of-Life Recyclability
TBD
Experience Style
Infotainment Features
4/5
Ride Comfort Tuning
4/5
Customization Options
4/5
Specifications
This section outlines the product's key facts, covering essential features, details, dimensions, materials, and any unique characteristics that define its functionality and usability.
Performance
Value
Design
Safety
Sustainability
Experience Style
Frequently Asked Questions
8 Questions
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