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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot2024 Kia Soul Review
Our experts look at the 2024 Kia Soul’s trims, tech, specs, and more! Read our 2024 Kia Soul review.
2024 Kia Soul – kia.com | Shop 2024 Kia Soul on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2024 Kia Soul?
The 2024 Soul is almost identical to last year’s version but there are two notable changes. First, the entire smart-key range has a new sleep mode that only stays awake for 40 seconds which cuts down on a potential vulnerability. In addition, a new EX Designer package is available for that trim. It adds 18-inch wheels and a unique interior.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.5/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
9/10
Technology
Score
8.5/10
Value
Score
8.75/10
The Breakdown
Personality plus
Excellent warranty
Featureful and inexpensive
Just one engine
No AWD option
CVT can be loud
A fun little vehicle
2024 Soul Specs
- 147 horsepower from base engine
- 132-lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 24 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 62 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Available Harmon/Kardon sound system
- 4-star crash test rating
- 10-year powertrain warranty
2024 Kia Soul Powertrain 8/10
Kia uses a very simple recipe for the Soul when it comes to the powertrain and drivetrain setup. Only one is available and it includes a four-cylinder engine, a continuously variable transmission, and front-wheel drive. That’s right, there’s no other engine or transmission available. All-wheel drive is off of the menu too. The system in place gets up to 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
In practice, the Soul feels pretty good from the driver’s seat. The steering is light but responsive, the brake and accelerator provide above-average feedback too. Yes, it’s very slow but the CVT has simulated gearchanges to try and reduce some of the obnoxious drone it creates under heavy throttle inputs. That added noise is dampened by the well-insulated cabin. However, road noise still arises and might come down to the smallish tires that come on the Soul.
If there’s anything to really gripe about it’s what’s not available. Kia killed the turbo engine that used to be in top trims of this car. In addition, there’s no option for a hybrid drivetrain which we think buyers would eat up at this sort of price point and footprint size. Finally, a small car like this with AWD would also be a big draw for those in states where snow is an inevitability.
2024 Kia Soul Interior 9/10
The boxy design of the Soul isn’t just cool to look at. It also makes this little car great in terms of cabin space. It’s easy to get into and out of, it has outstanding headroom in both rows, and the legroom isn’t very cramped either. Kia goes beyond those benefits to make the Soul’s interior a bit fun and funky.
That includes fun colorways that make their impressions on the door cards, center console, and sometimes on the seats. It’s worth noting that most of the interior feels cheap but it looks good, which feels like a reasonable tradeoff at this price point. Similarly to Chevrolet with the Trax, it appears that Kia added little details wherever it could to help the Soul stand out.
Visibility is good too thanks again in part to the boxy design. The tall and wide windows are a major benefit to the driver. The rear cargo area holds up to 24 cubic feet worth of stuff. Those rear seats fold down in 60/40 fashion, but they won’t fold all the way flat. Still, they offer over 62 cubic feet of storage in total once down.
2024 Kia Soul Technology 8.5/10
Kia appears to be intentionally aiming at younger buyers with the tech package in the 2024 Kia Soul. It comes standard with an 8-inch infotainment system, a digital gauge cluster, and six speakers. That’s more than you’ll get in a top trim Toyota Camry without any options added. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both standard features too.
The native interface is quite good though and we imagine buyers of the Soul won’t feel put out using it. A 12.3-inch infotainment system is also available, and its biggest draw is simply having more space to incorporate more information in one place. The one complaint we do have is that the integrated navigation isn’t particularly quick or intuitive. One needs to almost fully input the destination before it appears to understand where one is actually trying to go. Those who prefer a more robust sound system can add a Harman Kardon unit with 10 speakers and LED lighting that pulses with the music.
In terms of safety, the Soul is a bit of a mixed bag. It only scored four stars with the NHTSA in crash testing. It also didn’t win any awards from the IIHS. The 2024 Kia also doesn’t come standard with important features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, or rear cross-traffic alert. At the same time, it does get forward collision mitigation, lane-departure mitigation, saautomatic high beams, and a rear occupant alert system as standard equipment.
2024 Kia Soul Trims & Pricing
LX – $21,565
The base Soul gets cloth upholstery, a digital gauge cluster, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, automatic headlights, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, and 16-inch steel wheels.
S – $24,065
This trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10.3-inch infotainment system, and a blind-spot warning system.
GT-Line – $25,165
Consider this the sporty Soul as it gets 18-inch wheels, unique bumpers, fog lights, faux leather upholstery, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a chrome-tipped center-exit exhaust tip.
EX – $25,865
Finally, the posh Soul adds a sunroof, heated front seats, 17-inch wheels, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a rear center armrest with cupholders.
2024 Kia Soul Overall Value 8.75/10
The 2024 Kia Soul is a good value almost any way you slice it. It’s decent to drive, is very comfortable, features lots of great tech, and just so happens to have an outstanding five-year limited warranty and a 10-year powertrain warranty. Nothing on sale approaches that for the same cash. At the same time, cars like the Chevy Trax and Mazda CX-30 both offer more specialized value. The Trax feels far more modern and the Mazda out-drives them both.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.5/10
2024 Kia Soul – kia.com | Shop 2024 Kia Soul on Carsforsale.com
Kia did a great job with the Soul, but it could use two more engine options and the availability of all-wheel drive. Adding a hybrid and a more robust engine would be a good idea for the Soul as it battles other rivals in this space. Otherwise, you have a spacious yet compact vehicle that holds a lot of great tech features and carries some youthful style.
2024 Kia Soul FAQ
What is drive mode select in the Kia Soul?
It’s a way to put the car into (and take it out of) sport mode which quickens throttle response.
How much is a new, nicely equipped Kia Soul?
All trims are available for as little as $25,865 which is on track with cars like the Chevy Trax.
Is the Kia Soul an SUV?
Kia considers the Kia Soul a subcompact crossover SUV, but it’d be better classified as a compact hatchback car.
