Name: Kia Soul Review
Item: Kia Soul
Author: Gumtree.com

Ever since its distinctive looks first hit UK roads in 2008, the Kia Soul has offered drivers and passengers a way of travelling that’s guaranteed to turn heads. It’s not style over substance though; this five-door hatchback is a great option for families with older kids, as there’s plenty of headroom and legroom for adults throughout. Petrol, diesel and electric versions are available, and you can choose from a broad range of colours. The Soul is capable on the motorway, making it a good option for commutes or longer trips. For reasonably priced practicality and plenty of style, the Kia Soul is worth considering.

Visit the Kia Soul model page to explore available cars and learn more.

What we think about the Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is a large family hatch available as a diesel, petrol or all-electric car. It’s also got bags of style.

Pros

Distinctive styling

Smart, well-built interior

Plenty of storage

Cons

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Lacks automatic safety features

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Not especially efficient

With plenty of space inside for five, the Kia Soul is a five-door hatchback with SUV styling. Choose from an efficient EV model, automatic and manual petrols and diesel options. There are six trim levels on offer for the latest iteration: LX, X-Line, GT-Line, S, EX and Turbo.

Driving performance of the Kia Soul

Our Driving Rating6 / 10

A wide windscreen, small front pillars and high front seat mean you get a great view out the front of the Kia Soul. Seeing out the back is a little trickier however, making tight parking spots a challenge unless you go for a model with the optional reversing camera. Passengers will find it comfy on the motorway, but a little jittery over rougher roads. Having said that, both manual and automatic options are nice and easy to drive – though the tall sides mean you’ll feel (and hear) the effects of high crosswinds more than in a smaller hatchback.

Safety and reliability of the Kia Soul

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

Although the original Kia Soul scored a full five stars for safety from Euro NCAP in 2009, the newer design only received four out of five in 2014. This doesn’t mean younger models are any less safe than older ones – they simply don’t have many of the autonomous safety features that are quickly becoming standard in newer cars. All models come with a full set of airbags, automatic tyre pressure monitoring and backseat Isofix points for attaching child seats. All production years of the Soul also have an excellent reputation for reliability.

Under the bonnet of the Kia Soul

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

Most Kia Souls come with a 1.6-litre engine in a choice of petrol or diesel. There’s also an all-electric EV option, available since 2014. Older models come with five-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and the petrol versions offer 122 bhp and a 0-60 time of 11 seconds. Newer models crank that up to six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic, offering the choice of a 130 bhp petrol engine that’s capable of 115 mph and does 0-60 in 10.6 seconds. The more efficient diesel option has very similar numbers. If power is your thing, there’s also the speedier Kia Soul Sport, a 201 bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol capable of going from 0-60 in 7.5 seconds.

What you'll find in the Kia Soul

Our Design Rating8 / 10

Boxy shaping, high sides and a thick roof give the Soul a tough but funky look. There are eight colours to choose from including the usual blues and greys, as well as a military-style green and a fresh shade of deep orange. All-electric models are subtly different yet easily distinguished thanks to a two-tone paint job in a selection of shades. Soul Sport models get their own set of 18-inch alloy sports wheels, though these do make for a slightly less comfy ride. If you’re after super-quirky looks, keep an eye out for special edition models, which feature their colourful interior design.

Comfort and interiors in the Kia Soul

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

The Soul’s high roofline means there’s plenty of headroom for everyone inside. Newer models are slightly larger but all iterations have enough legroom for five adults to travel comfortably. Across the dashboard you’ll find smart black plastics with lots of smooth, soft-touch surfaces and some modern styling features. The cabin storage is also plentiful and includes a deep glove box, door bins and easily reachable cup holders. There’s even a well-sized boot for a car of this size, but the placement of the battery means the all-electric version can’t take nearly as much stuff.

What features you'll find in the Kia Soul

Our Features Rating7 / 10

Older Kia Souls come with USB ports and headphone jacks as standard. A reverse parking camera that displays over the rearview mirror when you engage reverse gear was available as an option to new buyers. Post-2014 models added Bluetooth and DAB radio to all trims, as well as an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an impressively clear display. Fancier models also come with satellite navigation and a reversing camera too. All versions have a good-quality sound system, so you can enjoy your journey even more with your tunes blaring.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Kia Soul

Our Fuel Consumption Rating6 / 10

Petrol Kia Souls are rated as doing 44.1 mpg and emit 149 g/km of carbon dioxide, while diesels claim to achieve 53.3 mpg with 129 g/km of carbon emissions. Post-2014 petrol models are rated as doing 43.5 mpg and emitting 152 g/km, while the diesel is more efficient at 58.8 mpg, with a disappointingly high emissions rating of 127 g/km. Thanks to its more powerful turbocharged engine, the Kia Soul Sport claims 40.9 mpg. Of course, the most efficient model is the battery-powered Soul EV, which can take you up to 130 miles when fully charged.

Running costs of the Kia Soul

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

New Soul buyers get a seven-year/100,000 mile warranty, so if you’re considering a recent model it’s worth asking whether this can be transferred over. Servicing costs are generally fairly low, and spare parts are usually easy to get hold of as most are shared with other Kia vehicles. Petrol and diesel models tend to sit in insurance groups 9-11, though this may be higher for older models. The EV is more expensive to insure and lives in group 18.

Our verdict of the Kia Soul

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

With an eye-catching design and square styling, the Kia Soul is a spacious hatchback that offers a fashionable way to travel for adults or families.

Kia Soul Review