Though many people mistakenly consider the Kia Soul to be a hatchback, it is actually a subcompact SUV. According to U.S. News, the Soul is at the top of its sector, which combines the simplicity of use and practicality of a compact car with the luggage space of an SUV.
In This Article...
Is a Kia Soul a hatchback or 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.
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.
Kia Soul: A full-size vehicle?
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.
The Kia Soul is what kind of a car?
The Kia Soul is challenging to explain. Although it has an SUV-like appearance, it lacks all-wheel drive. It has the handling of a cute little four-door hatchback, but it is much more than that. The Soul is best characterized as an economical crossover SUV for suburban and urban living.
A 2018 Kia Soul is a fantastic little carryall that will get you, your buddies, and up to 49.5 cubic feet of luggage where you’re going for as little as $16,200. The wise choice is to get the Soul at the top or mid-grade “+” trim levels, where you’ll benefit from a more potent engine and improved interior comfort. Here are 10 rivals you should compare before making a purchase, though.
What does SUV in an automobile mean?
Sport utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles are excellent options for family transportation or general travel. It is common to use them because of their ability to move goods and people. However, there are some distinctions between the two.
SUVs can be utilized to travel across difficult terrain. They are bigger than conventional automobiles, but they also look lot sportier and have easier-to-drive motors.
High-quality materials are used in the development of an SUV’s interior, which attempts to improve driver comfort. A larger size allows for more passenger space, so you won’t feel crammed in with other passengers on long drivesthere is enough room to ensure a comfortable travel. The majority of SUVs come with the newest amenities, which guarantee that you will be carefully directed during your excursion.
SUVs are the best choice for you if you enjoy the rush of a challenge. The four-wheel-drive option also enables you to go on unforgettable excursions in both on- and off-road situations.
In comparison, MPVs typically have the capacity to move a greater number of people from one location to another. They’re very useful and can be helpful on adventures, but compared to SUVs, they can be more difficult to maneuver.
SUVs normally use all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, while some family versions do offer rear-wheel drive. However, front-wheel drive is often an option on MPVs, making them inappropriate for rough terrain.
Although they are often more expensive than MPVs, SUVs perform better off-road than MPVs. As a result of their smaller engines and straightforward design, MPVs also have lower startup costs. Additionally, MPVs often offer greater fuel economy than SUVs.
Here is a list of Toyota’s available SUVs and MPVs. Visit Deacon Jones Toyota in Clinton, North Carolina, to see them for yourself if you reside in Fayetteville, Benson, or Goldsboro. We can also walk you through the redesign of the Toyota 4Runner.
A Kia is what kind of a vehicle?
Along with Genesis, Kia is a Korean automaker that is a branch of parent company Hyundai. Sporty vehicles like the Stinger and large sedans like the K5 are produced by Kia. The tiny Seltos, the small Sportage, the medium-sized Sorento, and the large Telluride are just a few of the small to large SUVs made by Kia.
Is buying a Kia Soul worthwhile?
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.