2018 Kia Soul review
Kia Soul highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Plentiful standard and optional features
- User-friendly and attractively styled interior
- Lots of passenger space
- Excellent crash test scores
Cons
- Unimpressive fuel economy
- Ride quality can be overly harsh with bigger wheels
Mileage (EPA estimate)
24 city, 30 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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Fun and funky, the 2018 Kia Soul is also affordable and practical
Is it a wagon? A hatchback? Kia says it’s an SUV. Whatever you call it, the 2018 Kia Soul is a distinctively styled, feature-packed, affordable and practical way to get around town. It’s available in three trims — base, mid-range Plus (+) and top-end Exclaim (!) — each with its own four-cylinder engine.
The Soul comes standard with a lengthy list of features that includes a six-speaker audio system with USB input and Bluetooth. The mid-range Plus (+) adds Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration, and options packages that include a full suite of driver assist systems, such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Even a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats are available, surprising for an entry-level car. The Exclaim (!) trim stands out thanks to its turbocharged engine, making it surprisingly fun to drive.
Aside from the looks, which aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, about the only downside to the Soul is fuel economy that trails similarly sized and priced cars. The base and Plus (+) only get an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined score. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.
All Kia Soul years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Kia Soul generation from 2012 to 2025
What is new for the 2018 Kia Soul?
- Automated Cruise Control, Power Seat(s), and Rear Seat Heaters features are now available as options on select trims.
- The + trim now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment.
- The ! trim now comes with Cloth Seats as standard equipment.
2018 Kia Soul trims
Curious how Kia Soul trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesBase:
- 130-hp, 118-lb-ft of torque 1.6L
- Rear Defroster
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Alloy Wheels
- Manual Transmission
- View our Kia Soul inventory
+:
- Includes all features available on the Base
- 161-hp, 150-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Cruise Control
- Rear View Camera
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
!:
- Includes all features available on the +
- 201-hp, 195-lb-ft of torque 1.6L
- Leatherette & Cloth
- Smart Key
- Turbo Charged Engine
- View our Kia Soul ! inventory
Kia Soul photos
What We Like
Funky style: It’s impossible to talk about the Kia Soul without mentioning its design. Tall and boxy, the Soul is instantly recognizable, and widely regarded as a cute and fun alternative to the multitude of compact SUVs on the road today. Kia has wisely iterated on the basic design it introduced for the 2010 model year, giving the little Soul a timeless quality. While it may not be universally loved, there’s no question style is a big factor behind the Soul’s success.
Utility and flexibility: Unlike a lot of style-driven vehicles, the Soul’s boxy shape actually enhances its utility. There’s plenty of headroom thanks to the high roofline, even for tall drivers and passengers. Behind the rear seats, there’s decent cargo space, and if those rear seats are folded, it expands to near-cavernous proportions.
Driving fun: The turbocharged Soul Exclaim (!) is obviously the most fun to drive of the Soul trio, but even the mid-range Plus (+) is sporty and surprisingly agile. Without an all-wheel drive system to accommodate, the Soul is lower to the ground than more traditional SUV competitors, giving it a lower center of gravity and enhancing its agility.
What Needs Improvement
Fuel economy: We do wish that the Soul’s fuel economy was more in line with its mission of affordable transportation. While the EPA-estimated 27 mpg
combined score isn’t bad, it trails contemporary competitors like the Honda HR-V and Toyota CH-R. Surprisingly, the more powerful turbocharged engine gets the best fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined score.Shop with your budget in mind
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Ratings & reliability
Customer ratings
4.2 out of 5
33 customer reviews| 5 Stars | 20 |
|---|---|
| 4 Stars | 7 |
| 3 Stars | 1 |
| 2 Stars | 1 |
| 1 Star | 4 |
RepairPal gave the Kia Soul an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Kia Soul 3rd out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Kia SoulKia Soul features and specs
Curious how Kia Soul trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
Base 2WD 4D Wagon
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Manual Transmission
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Full Roof Rack
- Rear View Camera
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
1.6L
Horsepower
130
Torque (ft-lbs)
118
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
14.2
Wheelbase
101.2"
Overall length
163"
Width
70.9"
Height
63.5"
Leg room
F 40.9"/R 39.1"
Head room
F 39.6"/R 39.5"
Front tires
P205/60HR16
Rear tires
P205/60HR16
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Manual 6
2018 Kia Soul FAQ
The 2018 Kia Soul is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Base: 25 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- !: 26 MPG City and 31 MPG Highway
- +: 25 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
The Kia Soul received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Kia Soul as 2 out of 8 among Subcompact SUV
The 2018 Kia Soul has received an average 4.2 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Kia Soul, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Kia Soul Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Kia Soul:
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Power Seat(s)
- Automated Cruise Control
- Cloth Seats
- Android Auto
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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