The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover SUV that Kia[1] presently produces and markets on a global scale.
The Soul, which was created at Kia’s design studio in California and had its debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, is made in South Korea. Kia has been selling the Soul EV, an electric model, since 2014.
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Kia Soul is a crossover or a hatchback.
We must understand the distinction between hatchbacks and crossovers before we can begin the topic. Sedans and hatchbacks are frequently matched. The former, which has comparable front faces, has a “hatch rear door” and additional cargo space in the back. In addition, hatchbacks are sometimes relatively economical and could provide better fuel efficiency than some crossovers. Crossovers, however, have a higher platform than hatchbacks, and all-wheel drive is frequently an option. Additionally, a lot of small crossovers still come with second-row seats that fold down and greater rear room.
The 2021 Kia Soul is a Subcompact Crossover
Although many people would refer to the 2021 Kia Soul as a hatchback, it is actually a subcompact crossover. The model provides standard Rear Fold-Down Seats to access up to 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space, making it a standout option on the market. To further confuse matters, the model keeps the handling and drivability of Kia sedans while starting at merely $17,590 on the MSRP scale. Its overall dimensions are comparable to Kia sedans, however the Rear Power Liftgate replaces the rear hatch.
What about a crossover from Kia?
Beautiful crossover the 2017 Kia XCeed Plug-in Hybrid delights in both electric and gasoline modes. It stands out from the competition due to its contemporary technology, all-electric driving capability, and minimal emissions.
What kind of car is the Kia Soul?
No, a Kia Soul isn’t quite large enough to be classified as a full-size vehicle. Even though this automobile has 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space when the back seats are folded, it would need to be roughly twice as large to be considered a full-size vehicle.
That so, you won’t have as much space as you would in a larger, full-size SUV or crossover car. You can still fit the entire family or your surfboard inside a Kia Soul.
What Class Of Vehicle Is A Kia Soul?
The subcompact SUV class of automobiles includes Kia Souls. This basically implies that, although having enough space to qualify as a compact SUV alternative, it isn’t the same as a full-size SUV.
You can anticipate getting more use out of a Kia Soul than a standard sedan given that it will feature five seats, a hatchback style, and lots of storage. However, it won’t replace one of Kia’s larger vehicles because it lacks the necessary luggage room for a real full-size SUV.
A Kia Soul is a sedan, right?
It is simple to understand why many customers would view the 2021 Kia Soul as a boxy-shaped sedan given its size and design. In fact, you might be tempted to refer to one as a vehicle if you were to stroll by one, but in truth, it is a subcompact SUV. The fact that the 2021 Kia Soul is designated as a subcompact SUV is only one thing you might be missing out on when it comes to the vehicle.
Is the Soul being phased out by Kia?
The Kia Soul gets a makeover for the 2023 model year that features a redesigned lineup and an angrier mug. For 2023, Kia has reduced the number of Soul models available, removing the X-Line and Turbo trims.
What issues are there with Kia Souls?
The Kia Soul dominated the market for more than ten years with its boxy appearance, which people either love or detest, good safety ratings, and a long list of standard amenities. Today, the Soul is among Kia’s best-selling vehicles and is still a serious competitor in the subcompact crossover SUV market.
Despite being a reliable small SUV, there have been several problems, complaints, and recalls across a number of model years. There are some Kia Soul years to stay away from when purchasing used.
The worst Kia Soul years to steer clear of due to reliability difficulties are listed below, along with the safest years for used purchasing.
Which Kia Soul Years to Avoid?
If at all possible, stay away from buying a secondhand Kia Soul from one of the following model years:
- Kia Soul 2012
- Kia Soul (2013)
- Kia Soul (2014)
- Kia Soul 2015
- Kia Soul 2016
Kia Soul
The 2012 Kia Soul should be avoided at all costs, according to the people from Car Reports, who cite 470 NHTSA complaints. Body integrity issues and flawed safety features were its principal shortcomings.
Clunking noises when turning are this Soul year’s most prevalent problem. Owners have mentioned hearing a clunking or popping sound when rotating the steering wheel. Additionally, some owners have heard loud rattles when driving on roads or hitting small bumps. Owners are perplexed that there hasn’t been a recall because this body integrity issue is so prevalent.
The 2012 Soul’s unlatched hood while driving is another potential issue. Although this is a rare problem, it poses a serious safety risk, particularly on roads or freeways.
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Kia Soul
Several owners of the 2013 Soul have suffered engine failure, which has been known to occur at roughly 85,000 miles or more. Some users reported hearing a banging sound emanating from the engine, while others just experienced an engine failure. The expected fix for this issue is to replace the engine, which will set you back a whooping $5,000.
A few owners reported that their Soul’s engine had started to make a ticking noise, which is less serious. The ticking noise, which may be anywhere from mildly bothersome to frighteningly loud, compels owners to visit their nearby Kia dealership. With an average repair cost of $4,100, we cannot recommend the Soul model year.
Kia Soul
The 2014 Kia Soul is the greatest loser in terms of complaints. The 2014 Soul is unquestionably one of the worst Kia Soul years to stay away from, receiving more than 900 complaints. Similar to the 2013 Kia Soul, the 2014 model similarly receives a pitiful 1 out of 5 stars from Consumer Reports.
One of the 2014 Soul’s most serious problems, according to a number of Consumer Reports owners, is engine failure. This issue appears to be connected to the oil pump in the Soul, which results in higher-than-normal oil consumption by the engine. One owner said that the car began requiring a quart of oil every 300 miles.
The 2014 Soul has a terrible comeback of the engine’s annoying ticking/knocking noise. The initial diagnosis by technicians is that this occurs at about 105k miles and is caused by low oil. However, the owners who are meticulous and keep up with their oil changes are the ones who complain the most.
Kia Soul
The 2015 Kia Soul is another vehicle you ought to stay away from, with more than 700 NHTSA complaints and four recalls to its name. The 2015 model of the Soul has numerous engine problems, just like the other problematic Souls on our list.
Engine failure is the issue that needs to be addressed first. Around 80k miles is the typical mileage at which this problem appears. Many customers have noted that the engine initially made knocking or ticking noises or began to burn more oil. The Soul’s engine finally just stopped working. You will be responsible for paying the estimated $4,620 cost of the engine rebuild or replacement if this occurs.
Excessive oil use is another area of concern. It seems that the engine guzzles oil like it’s nobody’s business when it’s not breaking down.
Check out our list of the top 10 most dependable used sedans available if you’re ready to start looking for a used automobile and reliability is important to you.
Kia Soul
The number one issue with the 2016 Soul, as measured by the severity scale, is a blown engine. According to several accounts, the 2016 Soul’s engine is prone to blowing up, particularly after 90k miles. This is not only dangerous, but an engine replacement will cost you almost $7,000 as well.
Additionally, Kia Soul owners complained that their car simply won’t start. Although there are indications that there may be a battery issue, most concerns are unrelated to this.
Common Kia Soul Problems
Although the Kia Soul is extremely reliable in every way, there are a few persistent issues that impact cars from a few years ago. Here are a few examples:
- spike in cruise control There are rumors that some Soul models have a surgey cruise control technology. Owners reported that when the SUV was in cruise control mode, it would suddenly accelerate and then slow down to a crawl. As of the time of writing, Kia has not yet addressed this potentially deadly problem.
- a ticking clock
- Although it’s not the most typical of Soul models, 2013 Soul owners find it extremely annoying. Hearing loud knocking or ticking noises emanating from the engine is not enjoyable. The Kia Soul has yet another problem with its engine.
- spinning while clicking
- The 2012 Soul’s clunking sounds when turning were a problem for owners. This is unquestionably a body integrity issue that Kia overlooked.
This question’s solution is more complex than you might think. Let’s examine the distinctions between gasoline and diesel engines as well as the precise number of spark plugs that a diesel engine truly has.
Kia Soul
One of the most dependable Kia Soul generations was the second one ever produced. A adaptable, reasonably priced, and all-around useful compact SUV is the 2011 Soul. Car Complaints awarded the 2011 Soul a “Pretty Good” Seal of Approval for dependability, stating that it is “pleasant to drive, roomy, and trustworthy.”
Kia Soul
The 2018 Soul features a huge luggage area, a roomy interior, a nimble turbocharged engine, and top-notch reliability ratings. In fact, the 2018 Soul received a fantastic Quality & Reliability score from J.D. Power of 84 out of 100.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul made a victorious comeback the following year with its 2019 year model. The 2019 Kia Soul received praise for its smooth ride, great utility, and respectable fuel efficiency. You may put your reliability concerns to rest because the 2019 Kia Soul received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5.
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What kind of car is a crossover?
In contrast to conventional sport utility vehicles (SUV), which are built on a body-on-frame chassis design similar to pickup trucks, crossovers, crossover SUVs, or crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) are a type of vehicle with an elevated ride height.
The name “crossover,” which has its roots in North America, was once applied to any vehicle that combined features from two distinct vehicle types. Over time, however, crossover has come to primarily refer to SUVs with unibody construction.
[1]
[2] Crossovers are also referred to as “car-based SUVs” or “SUVs that look like cars.” [3] [4] [5] Due to the similarities between crossovers and standard SUVs, the term “SUV” is frequently employed as a catch-all. [6]
Crossovers are recognized to be less effective than standard SUVs in driving off-road or towing large loads, although they do have other benefits like better handling and fuel economy.
[7] Crossovers provide more inside room and a better driving position when compared to conventional cars, such as sedans and hatchbacks, which have a lower ride height and roof. [8]
Before the term “crossover” was coined, the 1977 Matra Rancho and the 1979 AMC Eagle have been cited as early examples of the genre.
[9] The current crossover concept was invented by the 1994 release of the Toyota RAV4. [10]
Crossovers now account for approximately 40% of the US market share, up from just 4% in 2000.
[8]
The best Kia crossover, which one?
Without a doubt, the best option in its class is the 3-row midsize SUV/crossover Kia Telluride from 2022. It is roomy, reasonably priced, and fully furnished.
What is the name of the Kia compact SUV?
*The price listed as the “Starting MSRP” is the MSRP for the base model trim. The MSRP of the model is listed in the “Build and Price” section. Destination and handling fees, taxes, title, license fees, extras, and dealer fees are not included in the MSRP. vehicles with optional extras displayed. Dealer sets the actual pricing, which can change. The “Build and Price section” contains information on the applicable destination and handling fees for each model. Details are available from the dealer. Some features are exclusive to certain bundles. Details can be found on the “Features & Specifications” and “Options” pages. The availability of vehicles, destination and handling costs, colors, materials, specs, features, accessories, packages, and models are all subject to change at any time by Kia America, Inc. typographical or technological issues not my fault.
Why is the Kia Soul categorized as an SUV?
It’s true that the Kia Soul is an SUV. It belongs to a market segment that combines the utility and comfort of a small car with the cargo space of an SUV, and according to U.S. News, it’s at the top of the market segment.