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.
In This Article...
Will there be a Kia Soul in 2022?
The Kia Soul makes its debut in 2022 with few revisions. The manual transmission from last year has been dropped. A new LX Technology Package that allows customers to add cutting-edge safety features has been added to the base trim, while Kia has added a few additional standard features to its mid-level trims.
Will a 2023 Kia Soul be available?
In May, Kia revealed the streamlined Soul selection for the 2023 model year. However, Kia didn’t offer costs for the modified model at the time. The 2023 Kia Soul will see yet another price rise, starting at $21,085 for the base Soul LX grade (all prices include the $1,295 destination charge unless otherwise specified).
There will be four trim levels available for the 2023 Soul: LX, S, GT-Line, and EX. The S, which starts at $23,585, is a step up from the LX. The GT-Line starts at $25,685 but costs $1,100 more than the S. Starting at $25,385, the top-tier EX trim is available.
Gallery: 2023 Kia Soul
The LX now costs $600 more than the Soul LX did in 2022, and Kia has increased its destination fee from $1,175 to $1,50 as of the revised pricing for 2023. The base Soul with a manual cost $17,490 in 2021, plus a $1,120 destination fee, for a starting price of $18,610.
Along with the Kia’s rising price came the automaker’s removal of options and amenities. The Soul’s color options were reduced in 2021, and Kia changed the content options for each level. The manual transmission was removed from the range for the following model year by Kia, which immediately increased the cost of the base model.
Is buying a Kia Soul worthwhile?
Yes, the Kia Soul is a good automobile, especially if you’re looking for something that’s dependable, stylish, and reasonably priced. The brakes are effective, and the engine accelerates rapidly. Furthermore, the inside is spacious and comfy. The Kia Soul is a great SUV option all around, featuring essential features and well-liked improvements.
Do Kia Souls have many issues?
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.
The CoPilot app isn’t just for purchasing a car; it can also be used to keep track of recalls and receive recommendations on which regular maintenance activities are most crucial.
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.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
Will there be a Kia Soul in 2021?
The 2021 Kia Soul’s distinctly boxy look and surprisingly spacious interior put the “fun” in quirky and practical. The Hyundai Kona and the new Kia Seltos are corporate rivals of the subcompact SUV, although the Soul is substantially less expensive. Two gas-powered four-cylinder engines, one of which is a potent 201-hp turbocharged engine, are available from Kia to customers. Alternately, you may hold off till the upcoming electric model (reviewed separately). Although Kia advertises the Soul as an SUV, the car’s lack of all-wheel drive and low ground clearance give the impression that it is more like a big hatchback. Even yet, it has amusing driving habits that go well with its eccentricity. The 2021 Soul isn’t particularly fuel-efficient, and the base model lacks any technology that would help drivers. But this ute’s price and personality, which won it an Editors’ Choice award, are difficult to match.
Are there any engine issues with the 2022 Kia Soul?
Since the powertrain is in charge of transferring the energy generated by the motor to the wheels, it must be equally as dependable as the engine. However, the 2022 Kia Soul also seems to be having trouble in this area.
Here is yet another message sent to the Kia Soul forums. “After barely 4 months of ownership, my brand-new car’s transmission failed today.
Where are these? “Next-level adaptability is what’s being praised? One has to wonder if Kia even knows how to assemble a vehicle at this stage. This automaker shouldn’t be trusted to build a LEGO automobile because all of the essential systems are malfunctioning.
What does a brand-new 2022 Kia Soul cost?
The 2022 Kia Soul features one of the most affordable beginning pricing in the subcompact SUV category at $19,190. The top-tier Turbo, which starts at $27,790, is one of five higher trims that are available.
How many years do Kia Souls have?
Kia Souls have a 200,000-mile lifespan, or an average lifespan of 13 years. The car may live longer if it is maintained, used frequently, and not overburdened.
Kia Souls are incredibly dependable and should achieve this lovely round figure without experiencing any catastrophic breakdown, unless your model year has a number of manufacturing and manufacturer problems.
Your Kia Soul may only last 10 years or even fewer before it is no longer useful if you use it for business purposes, like ride-hailing services.
Is the Kia Soul secure in 2022?
Ratings and Features for Safety While the IIHS has not yet released ratings for the 2022 model, the NHTSA gave the 2022 Soul a four-star overall safety rating. The IIHS selected the Soul from the previous model year as a 2021 Top Safety Pick after it received mostly Good ratings in all save the headlight category.
What car is comparable to a Kia Soul?
The 2018 EcoSport is Ford’s debut into the small crossover market. The base EcoSport is a front-wheel drive car with four doors on the sides, but it is also equipped with an automatic transmission and a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The standard EcoSport from Ford costs $19,995. The EcoSport is available with a larger engine and AWD, but it costs up to $27,330.
The EcoSport stands out thanks to its fifth door at the back. The EcoSport door opens up to the side rather than swinging up like a hatch, making access to the rear cargo area more simpler. The EcoSport has five passenger seats and around 50 cubic feet of cargo space.
Which Kia Souls are subject to the recall?
- 253,281 Kia Souls for the 2017 to 2019 model years were made between July 25, 2016, and December 24, 2018.
- From May 18, 2017, through September 28, 2018, Kia Soul EVs for the 2017 to 2019 model years were produced.
- From March 2, 2017, 108,693 Kia Fortes for the model years 2017 to 2018 were built.
- up to July 27, 2018
- 47,690 Kia Sedonas for the 2017 to 2019 model years were made between July 12, 2016, and January 10, 2019.
- On October 4, 2016, 2 (two!) 2017 Kia Forte Koups were produced.
Kia Recall Contact Information
Instructions on how and when to bring their Kia into a dealership should be sent to the owners of these vehicles by first class mail at the address on file. On March 21, 2022, letters are anticipated to be mailed. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC226 is the Kia recall number.
The ACU will be examined by dealers. A dealer will swap out the Airbag Control Unit for a “better” one if the airbag warning light is already on. If the light is not on, a software update will be applied that, according to Kia, will guarantee proper airbag deployment in the case of a collision.
Recall Reimbursement and Unaffected Cars
Kia asserts Sedonas produced in 2019 after January 10 come standard with an upgraded airbag control unit. Kia Fortes for the 2019 model year and new-generation Kia Souls for the 2020 model year both received a different component. According to the Defect Notice Report on the NHTSA website, “Kia will reimburse owners for repair charges previously paid pursuant to Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan submitted May 11, 2020.”
According to Kia and NHTSA, there have been no crashes that have been associated with problems with the airbag systems on the impacted Kia models to far. However, 947 warranty claims and 13 customer complaints have been made in relation to the flaw.