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2012 Kia Soul

header-image

Rating7.8

Ranked #1 in

Subcompact Wagon

$13,900 - $19,600

Starting Price

Year

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

Pros	Cons	What's New
Capacious cabin with a comfortable rear seat	Polarizing style	Upgraded transmission unit
Engaging drive	Constrained cargo space	Powerful engine options
Ergonomic cabin setup
Easy to use controls

Specs & Features

$15,700

price

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

torque

6-Speed Automatic

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Kia Soul gets plenty of updates this year, the major one being revised styling inside amp; out. The 2012 Kia Soul specs also get a bump with the new and updated engine option and new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The Kia Soul price sees a hike of $655 over the previous model and now starts at $14,650 which includes the $750 destination fee.

Featuring a 3-trim lineup of the Soul, the 2012 Kia Soul MSRP can be an expense of $14,650-$20,350 this season. Having said that, it simply translates to the fact that the range-leader 2012 Kia Soul Exclaim (!) will cost you $5,700 more than the base 2012 Soul for enhanced specs and assets.

We Recommend

For the more powerful engine option and all the necessary creature comforts available as standard, we would suggest shelling out a bit more and opting for the top-end 2012 Kia Soul Exclaim (!) trim.

All the 2012 Kia Soul models get updated styling, a more fuel-efficient base engine, and a more powerful engine for the top Exclaim model. The 2012 Kia Soul problems are also very limited in nature which shall assure a peaceful ownership experience for all buyers. The Honda Fit although offers more efficient and reliable ownership, it lacks the fun element. The Scion xB and Nissan Cube on the other hand feel lackluster to drive and have a pretty bland cabin feel to them.

2012 Kia Soul for sale

The Kia Soul lease option starts at a very affordable $207/month for a tenure of 36 months and an annual mileage limit of 10,000 miles. The Soul finance offers also start at an attractive APR of 3.75% with a monthly premium starting at $255 for 60 months. Both the buying options require a $1,450 down payment while the lease deal also adds on a $595 acquisition fee.

For budget-oriented buyers, the used Kia Soul can be availed of with a base price of $1,999. Going for older model years like the 2011 Kia Soul could be a matter of $2,497 and Kia Soul 2011 can cost as much as $15,999 along with a listing of up to 287 in total.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Kia Soul! is an all-around package that packs luxurious features like a rearview camera and fog lamps into this affordable wagon. Being available with a more powerful engine and an automatic transmission system, it is an absolute delight to drive.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

For the MY 2012, the wagon undergoes evident and essential changes. These primarily include new and more powerful engine options and updated transmission systems for superior ride quality. However, problems with 2012 Kia Soul are that it falls in a rather secluded segment where you seldom find a plethora of competitors. Its direct rivals include the Honda Fit, Scion xB, and Nissan Cube.

Features
9.0/10

The 2012 Kia Soul is available in three trim options. Amongst them, the trims share two engine and transmission options but have a standard drivetrain setup. The feature load differs with each step up the ladder, but even the base variant, which receives a price tag of $14,650 is equipped with practical and pragmatic features that make it an apt and budget-friendly choice.

Trim	Base	+ (Plus)	! (Exclaim)
MSRP (Manual)	$14,650	$17,050	-
MSRP (Automatic)	$16,650	$18,050	$20,350
Key Features	Auxiliary Power Outlet	Adds to or retains features of Base	Adds to or retains features of + (Plus)
	Cloth Upholstery	Keyless Entry	Sun/moonroof
	Air Conditioning	Heated Mirrors	Rearview Camera
	Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers	Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	Fog Lamps
	Power Door Locks	Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel	Auto-off headlights
	Power Steering	Wireless Cellphone Hookup	Premium Sound System

We Recommend

The 2012 Kia Soul! is an all-around package that packs luxurious features like a rearview camera and fog lamps into this affordable wagon. Being available with a more powerful engine and an automatic transmission system, it is an absolute delight to drive.

Engine and Performance
7.0/10

The 2012 Kia Soul features two engine options. While the base motor is available only with the entry-level trim, it produces adequate power and torque and is rated at 138hp and 123lb.-ft, respectively. The “+” and “!” on the other hand, make use of a 2.0L inline-4 engine option and churn out 164hp and 148lb.-ft of torque. While the 6-speed manual transmission is standard, a 6-speed automatic transmission is available as optional on the base and mid-level trim, while the top-tier trim gets it as the only option.

The drivetrain of the 2012 Kia Soul is standard and the wagon transfers all its power to the front wheels of the vehicle. The 1.6L inline-4 engine helps the vehicle to sprint from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 16.4 seconds, which is nearly the average for the class.

Models	Kia Soul Wagon	Scion xB	Honda Fit	Nissan Cube
MSRP	$14,650	$16,300	$15,325	$14,980
Engine	1.6L inline-4	2.4L inline-4	1.5L inline-4	1.8L inline-4
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Transmission	6-speed manual	5-speed manual	5-speed manual	6-speed manual
Horsepower	134hp	158hp	117hp	122hp
Torque (lb.-ft)	123lb.-ft	162lb.-ft	106lb.-ft	117lb.-ft
0-60 MPH	8 seconds	9.1 seconds	8.2 seconds	10.4 seconds
Quarter mile	16.4 seconds	16.6 seconds	16.3 seconds	17.6 seconds
Top Speed (mph)	N/A	100 MPH	119 MPH	N/A

When compared to the competitors, all three contemporary vehicles make use of an inline-4 engine option and are channeled as FWD variants only. While the 2012 Scion xB produces the highest power and torque outputs of 158hp and 162lb.-ft, respectively, the 2012 Honda Fit is the least powerful unit. However, it is quicker than most of the competitors and the Honda hatchback takes 8.2 seconds to the 60mph mark, while the Scion clocks a similar feat in 9.1 seconds. The Nissan Cube is the slowest in the segment and its quarter-mile timings of 17.6 seconds, feel underwhelming for the class.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The 2012 Kia Soul’s MPG figures are rated at 25, 30, 27, respectively, when traveling inside the city, on the highway, or combined. With the higher-placed 2.0L inline-4, the efficiency falls two notches across the board. It features a standard fuel tank that can hold up to 12.7-gallons of fuel. However, its range remains unaffected and by covering 317.5 and 381 miles in the city and on the highway, it is easily comparable with its competitors.

Models	Kia Soul Wagon	Scion xB	Honda Fit	Nissan Cube
MPG (city)	25	22	27	25
MPG (highway)	30	28	33	30
MPG (combined)	27	24	29	27
Fuel tank capacity (gal.)	12.7-gallons	14-gallons	10.2-gallons	13.2-gallons
Range (miles) (city/highway)	317.5/381 miles	308/392 miles	286/350 miles	330/396 miles

The 2012 Honda Fit gains ascendancy in the segment by averaging a combined mileage of 29 MPG, however, it sports the least voluminous fuel tank and consequently loses out range. On the other hand, while the Scion xB is the least efficient and averages 24 MPG, the 2012 Nissan Cube manages similar efficiency as the Kia. However, both these wagons come fitted with larger fuel tanks and consequently cover a range just of 400 miles on the highway.

Interior
8.0/10

The 2012 Soul has a minimalistic cabin, that is not devoid of an affable aura to it. By sporting several standard specifications right from the base trim, Kia aims at establishing a holistic environment that allows for ease of travel by inducing comfort and merging it with practicality, thanks to the abundant storage spaces, an intuitive infotainment system, and steering mounted controls.

The upholstery options look and feel appealing and the seats in themselves are a tryst with comfort and bestow maximum pleasure when on the go. There is ample head-, shoulder-, and legroom for all passengers and the boxy design of the vehicle improves the airy nature on the inside. While the rear-seat row is the largest in the segment, the only visible drawback we see with the 2012 Kia Soul, is its restricted cargo capacity that has lower storage ability and space than most of its competitors.

Models	Kia Soul Wagon	Scion xB	Honda Fit	Nissan Cube
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (head/shoulder/leg) (in.)	40.2/55.1/42.2	40/55.8/40.7	40.4/52.7/41.3	42.6/52.2/42.4
Second (head/shoulder/rear) (in.)	39.6/55.1/39	41.2/54.7/38	39/51.3/34.5	40.2/52.4/35.5
Cargo Capacity (cu.-ft)	23.7	11.6	20.6	11.4

Each vehicle in the segment has a standard seating capacity of five passengers. While space upfront is highest in both the Kia and Nissan, the Scion has one of the highest spaces for rear-seat occupants. In terms of cargo capacity, the 2012 Honda Fit is the only vehicle that comes close to the 2012 Soul Wagon and has a total cargo capacity of 11.4 cubic feet.

Some of the salient interior features include:

Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
Interior Air Filtration
Dual Vanity Mirrors
Air Conditioning
Cruise Control

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2012 Kia Soul?

The 2012 Kia Soul features highly intuitive infotainment that comprises a 7-inch UVO touchscreen, as standard. The hi-tech and new-fangled system comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and USB connection. However, if these features do not cater to the tech-savvy person in you, Kia also provides an optional voice control and recognition system, an iPod interface, and an optional Infinity sound system. Some of the other infotainment features include:

Radio Data System
AM/FM Stereo
Mast Antenna
Auxiliary Audio Input
4-speaker sound system
MP3 Player

Exterior
8.0/10

The front fascia of the Kia looks utterly polarizing and has an old-school to it, however, the tiger-nose grille sits well in tandem with the beefy hood and adds quirkiness to the design. Being a wagon, it is undoubtedly boxy, but with an upright rear end, visibility and practicality remain uncompromised. The horizontally-placed taillights are rather likable and look subtle and easy-going. The 2012 Kia Soul’s tire size will depend solely on the trim you opt for

The 2012 Kia Soul sports a love it or hate it design. However, its boxy design is similar in dimensions to other wagons in the segment. It weighs 2,615 lbs and also sports a wheelbase of 100.4 inches and also has the highest ground clearance of 6.5 inches. It is 162.2 inches long, 70.3 inches wide, and 63.4 inches tall.

Models	Kia Soul Wagon	Scion xB	Honda Fit	Nissan Cube
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2615	3027	2496	N/A
Length (in.)	162.2	167.3	161.6	156.7
Width (in.)	70.3	69.3	66.7	66.7
Height (in.)	63.4	63.4	60	65
Ground clearance (in.)	6.5	5.1	N/A	6.3
Wheelbase (in)	100.4	102.4	98.4	99.6

The Honda Fit which is a hatchback is a direct competitor to the 2016 Kia Soul Wagon due to its dimensions. While both vehicles, the Honda is a tad bit shorter in overall height and sports the shortest wheelbase in the segment of 98.4 inches. On the other hand, the 2016 Scion xB is the longest wagon measuring 167.3 inches, and has the best-in-class wheelbase of 102.4 inches. However, it lags in ground clearance, where the Nissan Cube ranks second in the segment and stands at 6.3 inches from the ground.

Some of the salient exterior features include:

Splash Guards
Sun/moonroof
Front fog lights
Body-colored side mirrors
15/16/18-inch wheels

Safety
9.0/10

The 2016 Kia Soul recalls are limited, thanks to a slew of safety features. Even with the base trim, it comes equipped with a large number of safety features that include ventilated disc brakes and 4-wheel ABS. It scores 4-stars in the crash test conducted by the NHTSA and is rewarded as IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick” for the current year. Some of its other safety features include:

Brake Assist
Child Safety Locks
Hill-start Assist Control
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Traction Control
Stability Control

Final Verdict

A 2012 Kia Soul for sale commands an affordable price tag and with several features embedded in it as standard, the wagon makes for an aplomb choice in the segment. While its design isn’t the most refined, its quirkiness will cause buyers to stop and stare at it. In all other aspects, the Kia Soul is a testament to the brand’s ideology of creating niche vehicles. Its adequately luxurious, spacious, and is both powerful and efficient. By being a combination that unifies all essentialities into one, it is a go-go vehicle.

Trims

Base
$13,900 onwards

15-inch steel Wheels
A-Spec Sport Seats
Cloth Seat trim
Front manual air conditioning
Seek-Scan Radio
Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite

PLUS
$16,300 onwards

16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
Heated mirrors
Remote keyless entry

!
$19,600 onwards

18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
1St row LCD monitor
Front Fog/driving lights
Parking assist
Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

2012 Scion XB

7.5

Price

$16,300- $19,060

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.47

Horsepower

158 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

162 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

2012 Kia Soul

7.8

$13,900- $19,600

Gasoline

7.75

164 hp @ 6500 rpm

148 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Nissan Cube

7.5

2012 Nissan Cube

$14,980- $18,680

Gasoline

7.46

122 hp @ 5200 rpm

127 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Kia Soul vs competitor's 0-60

	Car Name	0-60 MPH	Quarter Mile	Top Speed	Source	Compare
	2012 Kia Soul Ranked #2	8.6 sec	16.8 sec	106 mph
	2012 Scion XB Ranked #1	8.4 sec	16.4 sec	-
	2012 Nissan Cube Ranked #3	9.1 sec	17.0 sec	-

2012 Kia Soul vs competitor's MPG

	Car Name	MPG City	MPG Highway	MPG Combined	Fuel Tank Capacity	Range (C/H)	Source	Compare
	2012 Kia Soul Ranked #1	25 mpg	30 mpg	27 mpg	12.7 gal.	317.5/381 mi.
	2012 Nissan Cube Ranked #1	25 mpg	30 mpg	27 mpg	13.2 gal.	330/396 mi.
	2012 Scion XB Ranked #2	22 mpg	28 mpg	24 mpg	14 gal.	308/392 mi.

2012 Kia Soul vs competitor's dimensions

	Car Name	Length	Width	Height	Ground Clearance	Wheelbase	Source	Compare
	2012 Kia Soul Ranked #2	161.6 in.	70.3 in.	63.4 in.	6.5 in.	100.4 in.
	2012 Scion XB Ranked #1	167.3 in.	69.3 in.	63.4 in.	5.1 in.	102.4 in.
	2012 Nissan Cube Ranked #3	156.7 in.	66.7 in.	65 in.	6.3 in.	99.6 in.

2012 Kia Soul vs competitor's trunk space

	Car Name	Trunk Capacity	Passenger Volume	Max Trunk Volume	Source	Compare
	2012 Kia Soul Ranked #1	23.7 cu.ft.	102.3 cu.ft.	53.4 cu.ft.
	2012 Nissan Cube Ranked #2	11.4 cu.ft.	97.7 cu.ft.	58.1 cu.ft.
	2012 Scion XB Ranked #3	11.6 cu.ft.	110.9 cu.ft.	69.9 cu.ft.

2012 Kia Soul vs competitor's cargo space

	Car Name	Cargo Volume	Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area	Max Cargo Volume	Source	Compare
	2012 Kia Soul Ranked #1	53.4 cu.ft.	23.7 cu.ft.	53.4 cu.ft.
	2012 Nissan Cube Ranked #2	8.5 cu.ft.	11.4 cu.ft.	58.1 cu.ft.
	2012 Scion XB Ranked #3	-	11.6 cu.ft.	69.9 cu.ft.

2012 Kia Soul vs competitor's towing capacity

	Car Name	Payload Capacity	Weight	Source	Compare
	2012 Kia Soul Ranked #1	-	2800 lbs.
	2012 Nissan Cube Ranked #1	860 lbs.	2789 lbs.
	2012 Scion XB Ranked #1	-	3027 lbs.

2012 Kia Soul Wagon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

2012 Kia Soul

3

Recalls

5

Investigations

508

Complaints

Overall Safety Rating

Top Kia Cars

2012 Kia Sedona

Horsepower : 271 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 21 mpg

0-60 : 7.6 sec

#1

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

Horsepower : 206 hp

MPG Combined : 36 mpg

0-60 : 8.7 sec

#2

2012 Kia Optima

Horsepower : 200 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 28 mpg

0-60 : 7.2 sec

#3

2012 Kia Sportage

Horsepower : 176 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 23 mpg

0-60 : 8.8 sec

#4

2012 Kia Sorento

Horsepower : 175 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 22 mpg

0-60 : 9.1 sec

#5

2012 Kia Forte

Horsepower : 156 hp @ 6200 rpm

MPG Combined : 29 mpg

0-60 : 8.1 sec

#6

2012 Kia Rio

Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 32 mpg

0-60 : 8 sec

#7

2012 Kia Soul

Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 27 mpg

0-60 : 8.6 sec

#8

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will a Kia Soul transmission last?

The Kia Soul transmission is known to last for around 150,000 miles despite certain issues plaguing it. With efficient driving and proper car & maintenance, it should last as long as the life of the car.

What are the most common problems with Kia Soul?

The Kia Soul has faced major problems with respect to its engine and transmission only. These include a blown engine, engine knocking, engine failure, grinding or skipping gears, and a burning smell from under the hood. Other issues include cruise control surges and a couple of electronic malfunctions.

How long will a 2012 Kia Soul last?

A 2012 Kia Soul is expected to run for anywhere between 150,000 and 200,000 miles which should serve an average American user for about 12-13 years.

Is the 2012 Kia Soul dependable?

The 2012 Soul comes with very few known issues and also gets a decent J.D. Power reliability rating of 78/100. With an affordable cost of repairs & maintenance and just 2 recalls, there is no question about the dependability of the Kia Soul.

2012 Kia Soul User Reviews

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POPULAR TAGS

driver

recommend

amount

highway

mileage

deceptive

DS

Deanna Stotler

! 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: August 1, 2024

Excellent car for first time driver Pikachu where you need to go on back

Pros - ["It gets you were you need to go", "Comfortable seats", "Great mileage"]

Cons - ["Easy to steal", "Can't go off roading", "Always locking myself out"]

Car performance is wonderful proud to be a owner of the Kia Soul and I would recommend it to any one looking for a reliable first time car owner to this day this car gets me where I need to go Great on mileage

BM

Beca Middleton

4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6M)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: July 13, 2024

Surprising vehicle

Pros - ["Gas mileage", "Comfort of ride"]

Cons - ["Didn't have auto start", "Non electric mirrors"]

Bought it used in 2015. I have loved this car. It's very deceptive in the spacing inside. My 6'2" boyfriend has plenty of head room. You can also fit an amazing amount of stuff in the back and back seat when needed. The gas mileage avgs 30 between city and highway. Has wicked apeed....ahem...when needed.

KG

Kelsey Guinn

4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: August 10, 2024

Only bought it for a dollar but I'll be happy to replace it soon.

Pros - ["Easy to park", "still runs despite being a fire risk", "cockroach of a car till august 7th 2024"]

Cons - ["fire risk due to unsolved recall with no repair in sight.", "transmission decides when it wants to work and not work", "ONLY GETS 250 MILES PER TANK ON A 12 GALLON TANK. MY MOTHERS EQUINOX HAS A 12 GALLON TANK AND CAN EASILY GO 400 MILES!"]

This car was fleet car for my employer but since I've gotten it I've realized just how stupid my employer was for evening buying kia souls in the first place. This thing only has 4 gears, it's clunky it gets the worst mpg for a compact car with a 12 gallon tank, it only goes 250 miles before I need to refill. Transmission can't decide if it was to blow up or not, and KIA still hasn't found a repa...

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