For This is the most fuel-efficient Soul in the range, and it comes with all sorts of styling enhancements that style-conscious buyers will love. Lots of luxury kit, too.

Against Choosing this combination of engine and trim makes the car pricey to buy, and with the Soul’s poor ride and handling, it’s hard to justify the cost

Kia Soul Hatchback

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

Way too pricey for a Soul. If you must have one, save yourself some money and go for the 1.6 petrol version in 1 trim.

What Car? readers say

3.75


Key facts

0–60mph
10.3 secs
Top speed
112 mph
Average mpg
57.6
Tank range
611 miles
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Features

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Size

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View the whole Kia Soul Hatchback range

Cheaper

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The full Kia Soul review


Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The Kia Soul is marketed as an urban car with an SUV attitude – no wonder the styling is so confused. What you do get with the Soul, though, is lots of cabin space and a pretty generous list of standard equipment. Entry-level 1 models, for example, come with pretty much everything you’d want: air-conditioning, four powered windows, remote locking, Bluetooth and a six-speaker stereo with steering wheel controls. The thing is, the higher-end models add plenty to the price, but not much to the equipment roster. Two 1.6-litre engines are available, and the 138bhp direct-injection petrol feels pretty perky, if not that fast. There’s a 126bhp diesel available, too. Both engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and you can add an auto to the diesel as an option. While the Soul is a decidedly below-par car, it comes with an exceptional warranty – seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Reader test team says:

Kia Soul Hatchback 1.6i 1 5dr

Having just swapped my 2011 Honda Civic 1.4 auto for a new Soul 2 1.6CDRI auto i can't express enough how impressed i am! I had to swap because i…

Andrew Stevens

4 out of 5 stars

Kia Soul Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 2 5dr

This automatic is my wife's Motability car, which I drive. She finds it easily accessable, whilst I like the driving position. Whether in town, on the…

Jim Kitchingman

4 out of 5 stars

Kia Soul Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 2 5dr

I was supplied with this model as a courtesy car whilst my ceed was repaired. I agree with the Whatcar? verdict. This car is a good drive, except for…

Keith Martin

3 out of 5 stars

Kia Soul Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 2 5dr

I purchased this car in June 2010, I traded in my Mini One Auto for the Soul 2 1.6 diesel auto, as the mini was no longer practical seeing as I have 2…

Stephen Hardwick

4 out of 5 stars
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