2015 Kia Soul

header-image
Rating8.6

Ranked #1 in 

Wagon
Write Review
$15,190 - $20,790
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 18, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Stylish and user-friendly cabin

Lackluster performance with the base engine

Uvo eServices packages available for the Base and Plus (+) trims

Excellent warranty coverage

Unimpressive fuel economy

Umber interior package gets upgraded interior upholstery

Superb safety quotient

Wide range of features

Specs & Features

$17,190

price

130 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

118 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

After getting a complete overhaul last year, the 2015 Kia Soul remains unchanged apart from the new options packages. Both the Base and Plus models now get the Uvo eServices package that offers a rearview camera and telematics features like geo-fencing, curfew alert, and speed alert. Kia also offers a new Umber interior package with upgraded interior upholstery. The 2015 Kia Soul price starts at $16,015 including the $800 destination fee and a $320 price hike over the 2014 model year

Featuring a 3-trim lineup of the Soul, the 2015 Kia Soul MSRP can be an expense of $16,015-$21,615 this season. Having said that, it simply translates to the fact that the range-leader 2015 Kia Soul Exclaim (!) will cost you $5,600 more than the base 2015 Soul for enhanced specs and assets.

We Recommend

With the newly added optional packages this year, we prefer opting for the Kia Soul Plus (+) trim. It already packages in plenty of creature comforts and the available options packages sweeten the deal even further. 

The 2015 Kia Soul dimensions and specs remain the same this year and it's not necessarily a bad thing at all. The Kia Soul interior offers a wholesome experience with plenty of passenger cargo space which is much better than the likes of the Hyundai Veloster. The Scion xB is more affordable but lacks space and feels cheap to a certain extent. 

2015 Kia Soul for sale

The Kia Soul finance offers begin at a monthly premium of just $278 for a duration of 60 months while the lease deals start at $229/month for a 36-month tenure. Both options require a $1,600 down payment but the lease option also adds a $625 acquisition fee and has an annual mileage limit of 10,000 miles. 

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 2012 Kia Soul could be a matter of $2,799 and Kia Soul 2012 can cost as much as $20,015 along with a listing of up to 380 in total. 

Buying Advice

We recommend the Soul+ trim with the Uvo eServices package and the audio package for a complete experience at an affordable price.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2015 Kia Soul comes with no significant changes and is part of the second-generation model of the vehicle. The Soul carries a base price of $16,015 and gets two engine options along with two transmission options as well. The vehicles offer a wide range of features along with some tasteful optional packages at an affordable price bracket.

Features
9.0/10

The 2015 Kia Soul is available in three trim levels- Base, Soul+, and Soul!. The price for the base trim is set at $15,190 when equipped with the manual transmission. The base trim comes in a feature-packed form while the optional extras are available from the Soul+ trim level. For this year, the SUV will also be available with a premium Nappa leather upholstery to further enhance the cabin’s appeal. Some of the optional packages include the Audio package, the Primo package, the Eco package, and the Sun & Sound package.

Trim

Base

+

!

MSRP (Manual)

$16,015

N/A

N/A

MSRP (Automatic)

$18,015

$19,515

$21,615

Key Features

16-inch steel wheels

17-inch alloy wheels

Uvo eServices package

 

Rear privacy glass

Cruise control

Body-colored front fascia accents and bumpers

 

Full power accessories

Keyless entry

Power-folding ORVMs

 

Driver-selectable steering settings

Upgraded cloth upholstery

Eight-way power driver seat with two-way power lumbar support

 

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel 

12-volt power outlet in the trunk

Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob

 

60/40-split-folding rear seat

Front-seat center armrest with storage

LED DRLs

We recommend

We recommend the Soul+ trim with the Uvo eServices package and the audio package for a complete experience at an affordable price.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

Despite being a compact vehicle with a rather underpowered motor, the Soul fails to impress with its mediocre fuel economy numbers. The 2015 Kia Soul gas mileage numbers are set at 23mpg within the city limits, 31mpg out on the highways, and 26mpg of combined mileage. With a gas tank capacity of 14.2 gallons, it offers some decent overall driving range but it could’ve been better.

Model

Kia Soul Wagon

Hyundai Veloster

Scion xB

MPG (city)

23

27

22

MPG (Highway)

31

36

28

MPG (Combined)

26

30

24

Fuel Capacity

14.2 gallons

13.2 gallons

14 gallons

Range (City/highway)

326.6/440.2 mi

356.4/475.2 mi

308/392 mi

The Hyundai Veloster delivers some impressive mpg figures with a commendable highway mileage of 36mpg. Even though it gets a slightly smaller gas tank of 13.2 gallons, it offers a better driving range than the Soul. The Scion xB has the least mpg figures here and fails to deliver even 30mpg of highway mileage which is rather unacceptable given its performance stats.

Interior
9.0/10

The 2015 Kia Soul interior is quite interesting and spacious. Right from the base trim, the Soul comes equipped with a handsome list of features such as full power accessories, a height-adjustable driver seat, cloth upholstery, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The front seats offer a generous amount of headroom and legroom, making it comfortable for taller drivers and passengers. The rear seats also offer almost similar headroom and legroom to the front seats along with a 60/40 split-folding function to increase the boot space. The dashboard has a very stylish yet practical design but looks busy around the center owing to the buttons surrounding the infotainment system. The center stack is neat and accommodates only the gear selector knob. Behind the rear seats, there is 19 cu-ft of space available which can be extended to a massive 69 cu-ft after folding the seats.

Model

Kia Soul Wagon

Hyundai Veloster

Scion xB

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

40/55.8/40.7

39/55.6/43.9

40/55.8/40.7

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

41.2/54.7/38

35.3/54/31.7

41.2/54.7/38

Cargo Capacity (cu.-ft)

69.9

34.7

69.9

The Hyundai Veloster offers oodles of legroom at the front along with adequate headroom but has a cramped rear seat owing to its sloping roofline. The Scion xB offers similar cabin dimensions and cargo space to the Kia Soul but gets a boring dashboard design and dull interior colors.

Some interior features include:

  • Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
  • 60/40-split-folding rear seat
  • Full power accessories
  • Cloth upholstery
  • Height-adjustable driver seat
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob (Soul!)

How intuitive is the 2015 Kia Soul’s infotainment unit?

By default, the infotainment system of the 2015 Kia Soul is quite basic and comes with basic connectivity and entertainment options. The Audio package adds an 8-inch touchscreen display with navigation, HD Radio, and an upgraded Infinity audio system with illuminated speakers and a subwoofer over the standard 6-speaker audio system. 

Some of the infotainment system features are:

  • Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, 
  • Six-speaker sound system
  • CD player
  • Satellite radio
  • Auxiliary audio jack
  • iPod/USB audio interface
  • 8-inch touchscreen display(optional)
  • Navigation(optional)

Exterior
9.0/10

The exterior design of the 2015 Kia Soul is one of the most quirky-looking ones in the segment. It has a boxy design language and resembles a tall-boy hatchback from a distance. At the front, the grille carries the iconic design of Kia but has a sleek profile while the big and blacked-out air intakes in the front bumper give the car a slightly aggressive appeal. The side profile is neat with smooth and scooped-out fenders. The rear end looks a bit out of place with the vertically placed tail lights and flat rear windscreen.

Model

Kia Soul Wagon

Hyundai Veloster

Scion xB

Curb Weight (lbs)

2837

2749

3084

Length (in.)

163

166.1

168.1

Width (in.)

70.9

70.5

69.3

Height (in.)

63

55.1

63.4

Ground Clearance (in.)

5.9

5.6

N/A

Wheelbase (in.)

101.2

104.3

102.4

The Hyundai Veloster has the most sporty and low-slung design here that matches its sporty character. It has the longest wheelbase but a short height which results in low cabin space. The Scion xB has a similar design to the Kia Soul but is heavier and longer than the latter.

Some exterior features include:

  • 16-inch steel wheels
  • Roof rack mounting points
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Fog Lights
  • Body-colored fascia accents and bumpers

Safety
9.0/10

Kia never compromised in the safety aspect of its vehicles to keep the costs in check and the Soul is a brilliant example. The 2015 Kia Soul gets a perfect 5-star rating from the NHTSA and bagged the prestigious Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS as well. Some of the standard safety features of the Soul include hill-start assist, stability, and traction control among other features.

Some safety techs include:

  • Brake Assist
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Front-seat side airbags
  • Child Safety Locks
  • Active front head restraints
  • Traction Control
  • Auto-Leveling Headlights (Optional)

Final Verdict

The Kia Soul is aimed at the young crowd and qualifies as a great first car owing to its compact dimensions, feature-rich cabin for the price, and fun-to-drive character. The SUV has its own share of drawbacks such as a lackluster fuel economy, lethargic acceleration from the base engine, pricey optional packages, and a weird design. On the plus side, the vehicle offers a spacious cabin, generous cargo space, and a quirky design language. Overall, if you’re looking for a compact urban vehicle with enough space for tall adults, the 2015 Kia Soul should be amongst your top priorities.

Trims

    Base
    $15,190 onwards
    • 16-inch steel Wheels
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Manual front air conditioning
    • Navigation system
    PLUS
    $18,690 onwards
    • 17-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Heated mirrors
    • Remote keyless entry
    !
    $20,790 onwards
    • 18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite

Compare to similar cars

Price

$15,190- $20,790

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.55

Horsepower

164 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

$19,345- $24,695

Gasoline

6.9

160 hp @ 5500 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

2015 Kia Soul vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2015 Kia Soul

    Ranked #2

    9.6 sec17.2 sec106 mph
    8.1 sec16.2 sec120 mph

    2015 Kia Soul vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2015 Kia Soul

      Ranked #2

      24 mpg30 mpg26 mpg14.2 gal.340.8/426 mi.
      22 mpg33 mpg28 mpg13.2 gal.330/435.6 mi.

      2015 Kia Soul vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2015 Kia Soul

        Ranked #2

        163 in.70.9 in.63 in.5.9 in.101.2 in.
        166.5 in.69.8 in.65.7 in.4.7 in.102.8 in.

        2015 Kia Soul vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2015 Kia Soul

          Ranked #2

          24.2 cu.ft.101 cu.ft.61.3 cu.ft.
          21.3 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.68 cu.ft.

          2015 Kia Soul vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2015 Kia Soul

            Ranked #1

            61.3 cu.ft.24.2 cu.ft.61.3 cu.ft.-
            68 cu.ft.21.3 cu.ft.68 cu.ft.82 ft.

            2015 Kia Soul vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2015 Kia Soul

              Ranked #1

              2714 lbs.
              3212 lbs.

              2015 Kia Soul Wagon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              7

              Recalls

              5

              Investigations

              858

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Kia Cars

              2015 Kia K900

              Horsepower : 420 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 5.5 sec

              #1

              2015 Kia Cadenza

              Horsepower : 293 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 6.2 sec

              #2

              2015 Kia Sedona

              Horsepower : 276 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 7.7 sec

              #3

              2015 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 199 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 38 mpg

              0-60 : 8 sec

              #4

              2015 Kia Optima

              Horsepower : 192 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 27 mpg

              0-60 : 7.8 sec

              #5

              2015 Kia Sorento

              Horsepower : 191 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 9.5 sec

              #6

              2015 Kia Sportage

              Horsepower : 182 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 24 mpg

              0-60 : 9 sec

              #7

              2015 Kia Forte

              Horsepower : 145 hp @ 6500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 30 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #8

              2015 Kia Rio

              Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 8.3 sec

              #9

              2015 Kia Soul

              Horsepower : 130 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 26 mpg

              0-60 : 9.6 sec

              #10

              Frequently Asked Questions

              Is Kia as good as Honda?
              Honda definitely has a performance advantage over Kia and also overshadows it in terms of fuel efficiency. Add to that the superior dependability factor and higher resale value of Honda, and the Kia falls short on more aspects of ownership in spite of the lower price.
              How long will a 2015 Kia Soul last?
              Under regular usage, a Kia Soul should last anywhere between 150,000-200,000 miles before needing any major repairs. Therefore for an average American owner, it should last for about 12-13 years with 15,000 miles of annual running.
              What problems does the 2015 Kia Soul have?
              The Kia Soul for the 2015 model year has been plagued with a few engine issues which include a blown engine, engine knocking noise, and engine failure. Some owners have also complained of cruise control surge problems.
              Is a 2015 Kia Soul worth buying?
              The 2015 Soul offers more interior and trunk space than most of its rivals and also gets plenty of features. The low price tag and quirky styling further make it an attractive option to budget buyers.

              2015 Kia Soul User Reviews

              0.0

              [3 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              SM

              Stan Madero

              2015 Kia Soul

              4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: August 22, 2024

              Good car but on the top 10 to get broken into

              Pros - ["Comfortable seats", "Fuel economy", "Nice back seat legroom"]

              Cons - ["Burns oil quickly having to add oil", "High theft and vandalism targeted vehicle ignition broken. Door lock popped", "Very basic security features needed to be improved and the lack of assistance from kia"]

              Love the looks of the car love the gas mileage of the car actually love the color of the car as well I actually have nothing to complain about the car except for high oil consumption without a burn. Due to a recalled issue with the motor. The car is great as a car but I have had my vehicle attempted to be stolen at least three times one time is the door locks on the driver's side was popped out. ...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              DM

              Dan McGrath

              2016 Kia Soul

              4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6M)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 28, 2024

              Great little car

              Pros - ["Gas Economy", "The Stereo"]

              Cons - ["Lack of Trunk Space", "Lack of rear 12v port"]

              I use it for uber and a full tank of gas can last me an 8 hour day. It gets about 350 miles on a full tank. Great on gas. The interior is also very comfortable, not only for myself as driver but also for passengers as well, many have complemented me on it. It stops on a dime as well, and has good pick up. It does have a lack of trunk space being a smaller car, but I am yet to run into and major i...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              va

              Vigi adams

              2014 Kia Soul

              4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 26, 2024

              THE KIA WITH EYELASHES

              Pros - ["the eyelashes i put on the headlights it's cute and really shows who i am as a person", " how it's equipped with bluetooth so i am able to listen to my music it can range from metal to indie"]

              Cons - ["sometimes i hate the fact that it gets really dirty easily and i have to wash my car almost every 2 weeks", "my backup camera doesn't work so i would have to use my middle mirrors or look back from my sit"]

              my kia soul is just perfect for me from the color to show small it is and the fact that i can fit in any parking space with no problem. I love the fact that even though it is a 2014 it has bluetooth so i am able to listen to my lana del ray also i love the fact that it does cost that much to fill up the gas tank. i love my car and i wouldn't change it for the world.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review


              Other Subcompact Wagon