Car Reviews

Select Brand

Select body style & engine

Select Year

Car Ranking

By body

Select Body Style

Sedan

Coupe

Convertible

Hatchback

Pickup Truck

SUV

Van

Wagon

Profile

🔥 Write a review and Earn Upto $50 on PayPal

2016 Kia Soul

Rating8.4

Ranked #1 in

Subcompact Wagon

Write Review

$15,900 - $21,300

Starting Price

Year

Nathan Dyer

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

Pros	Cons	What's New
Commodious cargo space	Substandard fuel economy	Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning features now available
Ergonomic and plush cabin	Rough ride quality
Top-notch safety ratings

Specs & Features

$17,400

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

The 2016 Kia Soul gets only minor updates over the previous model year which includes a bit more standard features for certain trims and revisions to the options packages. The Soul Premium package now features forward collision warning and lane departure warning, available for the first time with the Soul. The 2016 Kia Soul price starts at $16,750 which sees a price hike of $735.

Featuring a 3-trim lineup of the Soul, the 2016 Kia Soul MSRP can be an expense of $16,750-$22,150 this season. Having said that, it simply translates to the fact that the range-leader 2018 Kia Soul Exclaim (!) will cost you $6,700 more than the base 2018 Soul for enhanced specs and assets.

We Recommend

With almost all the necessary features being offered as standard with the Kia Soul Plus, it has been a popular choice for most buyers and is also the one we prefer.

The 2016 Kia Soul warranty is what impresses most buyers in addition to the spacious interior and decent . The efficient MPG ratings also aid in keeping the Kia Soul value in the market. While rivals like the Mazda CX-3 also offer great value to its buyers, the Soul stands out in this regard. The Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax both come loaded with more features and a premium feel to them, but end up being too expensive for many.

2016 Kia Soul for sale

Buyers opting for the Kia Soul finance offers can have the wagon at a monthly payment starting at $291 for 60 months period at 3.75% APR for qualified buyers. The Soul lease deal starts at $235/month for a 36-month tenure and an annual mileage limit of 10,000 miles. Both offers require a $1,675 down payment while the lease option also adds a $625 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 2014 Kia Soul could be a matter of $5,788 and Kia Soul 2014 can cost as much as $21,195 along with a listing of up to 842 in total.

Buying Advice

The 2016 Kia Soul+ is a super hit among youths. It contains all the necessary features for daily driving including Bluetooth, satellite radio, a generous sound system, and auto temperature control. It also gets the automatic transmission as standard which allows for a supple ride. At $19,800 it is a deal you cannot miss.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2016 Kia Soul is very popular among the younger generation for its hip-looking appearance and economic price are some other reasons to admire it. The pricing falls in the line of some popular crossovers like the Mazda CX-3, Buick Encore, and Chevrolet Trax.

Features
9.0/10

The 2016 Kia Soul is available in three trim levels: base, Plus (+), and Exclaim (!) and also as a separate EV model. The wagon is rather affordable and falls in a price bandwidth that extends from $16,100 for the base variant to $21,300 for the top-tier trim. As per MSRP, it adds a plethora of standard and optional features, which make it immensely practical and pragmatic.

Trim	Soul	+ (plus)	! (exclaim)
MSRP (manual)	$16,750	N/A	N/A
MSRP (automatic)	$18,250	$20,250	$22,150
Key Features	Body color, power outside mirrors	Aerodynamic windshield wipers, fog lights,	Signature 2.0 Special Edition Package
	Multi-Focus Reflector Headlights	Front and rear parking sensors	Two-tone exterior paint
	Privacy glass	Auto-dimming rearview mirror	Leather Upholstery
	Air conditioning	Leather upholstery	LED Interior Lighting
	AM/FM/MP3/SiriusXM	Heated and ventilated front seats	Heated and ventilated seats
	Bluetooth wireless technology	cargo cover and a 12-volt cargo area power outlet	Panoramic Sunroof

We Recommend

The 2016 Kia Soul+ is a super hit among youths. It contains all the necessary features for daily driving including Bluetooth, satellite radio, a generous sound system, and auto temperature control. It also gets the automatic transmission as standard which allows for a supple ride. At $19,800 it is a deal you cannot miss.

Engine and Performance
7.0/10

The base variant of the 2016 Kia Soul is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional. Soul plus and Exclaim variant gets powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 164 hp and 151 lb.-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission. Every Soul is front-wheel drive as standard.

The 1.6-liter engine offers enough punch for around town, but it feels underpowered at highway speeds and on steep hills. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile run in 17.6 seconds. The 2.0-liter engine provides swift acceleration and more power while passing freeways. Braking is linear and confident and the wagon is easy to maneuver around tight parking spots and stoplight traffic.

Models	Kia soul wagon	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3 SUV	Chevrolet Trax SUV
MSRP	$16,750	$24,025	$19,960	$20,300
Engine	1.6L I4	1.4L 4cyl	2.0L 4cyl	1.4L 4cyl
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Horsepower	130 hp	138 hp	146 hp	138 hp
Torque	118 lb.-ft	148 lb.-ft	146 lb.-ft	148 lb.-ft
0-60 MPH	10.3 sec	9.3 sec	8.5 sec	10 sec
Quarter mile	17.6 sec	17.1 sec	15.8 sec	17.3 sec
Top Speed (mph)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The 2016 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax share a similar engine that can produce 138hp and 148lb.-ft of torque. On the other hand, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 produces the highest power of 146hp and also churns out a similar amount of torque. It is also both the quickest and fastest option in the segment and takes 8.6 and 15.8 seconds to the 60mph and quarter-mile mark, respectively.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The bigger powertrain manages to return similar numbers as the smaller powertrain. 2016 Kia Soul with its 1.6L 4 cylinders manages a below-average fuel economy. It does 24 MPG in city driving, 30 MPG on the highway, and a combined 27MPG. This is not superior among the lot. However, its fuel tank is the most voluminous in the segment and can hold up to 14.2-gallons. Even its range of 341 and 426 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively, is comparable with segment standards.

Model	Kia soul wagon	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3 SUV	Chevrolet Trax SUV
MPG (city)	24	25	29	26
MPG (highway)	31	33	35	34
MPG (combined)	27	28	31	29
Fuel Capacity (gallons)	14.2	14	12.3	14
Range (miles) (city/highway)	341/426 miles	350/462 miles	368/445 miles	346/476 miles

When compared to the segment, the Mazda CX-3 is the most efficient vehicle on the block and averages 31 MPG. However, it features the least-voluminous tank in the segment of 12.3-gallons and covers a marginally higher range of 368 and 445 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively. On the other hand, the 2016 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax manage a combined efficiency of 28 and 29 MPG and are connected to a 14-gallon fuel tank.

Interior
9.0/10

The upright and boxy design offers a spacious interior and even tall NBA players will not have any issue getting inside it. The 2 rows seating arrangement can seat five people in relative comfort and they provide good support even on long rides. The cabin design is clutter-free with the central touchscreen assuming prime attention. The steering wheel controls allow for easy operation and add practicality to a usable setup.

Both rows of seats get ample legroom and the upright design ensures more than necessary headroom. The 2016 Kia Soul has 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 61.3 cubic feet with the rear folding seats, which is exceptional for a compact wagon. While ride quality is a bit stiff and rough, it does not turn into an imperfection for passengers on the inside.

Model	Kia soul wagon	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3 SUV	Chevrolet Trax SUV
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.6/55.5/40.9	39.6/54.18/40.8	38.4/53.5/41.7	39.6/54.1/40.8
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.5/54.7/39.1	38.8/52.55/35.7	37.2/50.4/35.0	38.8/52.8/35.7
Cargo Capacity (cu.-ft)	24.2	18.8	12.4	18.7

In the segment, each vehicle has a standard occupancy of five passengers. While the corporate cousins, Chevrolet and Buick manage similar passenger and cargo space, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 provides maximum legroom for front-seat passengers. However, the comfort of the driver and passenger seat occupants comes at the cost of the rear seat. In addition, even its cargo capacity of 12.4 cubic feet is smaller than its rivals and its volume is a third smaller than the trunk capacity of the 2016 Encore and Trax that hold just under 19 cubic feet.

Salient interior features of the 2016 Kia Soul include:

Cruise Control
Keyless Start
Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel
Interior Air Filtration
Air Conditioning
Cloth/Leather Upholstery

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2016 Kia Soul?

The ergonomic nature of the cabin also extends to how the infotainment system is placed. The central 4.3-inch touchscreen unit sits centrally and gets surrounded by a number of buttons for enhanced practicality. The steering mounted controls also improve usability and the system gets connected to a 6-speaker sound system as standard. With the optional packages, one can also opt for the Infinity premium sound system, an 8-inch display unit, and Kia’s UVO Telematics. The 2016 Kia Soul! also sports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Some of the salient infotainment features include:

AM/FM Stereo
Bluetooth Connectivity
USB Connection
Satellite Radio
Auxiliary Audio Input

Exterior
9.0/10

The current generation of the 2016 Kia Soul is inspired by the trackster concept of the 2012 Chicago auto show. Its tall rectangular boxy design serves form as well as function. Ground clearance of 5.9 inches is good for clearing out road undulations and a rather upright rear, ensures that visibility is not compromised for an aesthetic appeal.

The 2016 Kia Soul Wagon weighs 2,884 lbs. It is the smallest car on offer. It is 163 inches long, 63.5 inches, and sports the longest wheelbase of 101.2 inches. It is the widest option on offer that measures 70.9 inches.

Model	Kia soul	Buick Encore	Mazda CX-3 SUV	Chevrolet Trax SUV
Curb weight (lbs.)	2884	3237	2809	2805
Length(in)	163.0	168.4	168.3	167.6
Width(in)	70.9	69.9	69.6	69.9
Height(in)	63.5	65.2	60.7	64.8
Ground clearance (in)	5.9	6.2	6.1	6.2
Wheelbase (in)	101.2	100.6	101.2	100.6

When compared to the competitors, the 2016 Buick Encore weighs 3,237 lbs. It measures 168.4 inches similar to the Mazda CX-3 and is also the tallest having a total height of 65.2 inches. It shares a similar wheelbase and ground clearance of 100.6 and 6.2 inches, respectively, as the 2016 Chevrolet Trax.

Some of the standard exterior features include:

Rear Spoiler
Mud Guards
17/18-inch alloy wheels
Wheel Locks
Puddle Lights

Safety
9.0/10

The 2016 Kia Soul comes with a lot of standard safety kits and solid build quality to give peace of mind to all the occupants traveling it. It scores a 5-star rating in the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA and is also regarded as on IIHS’ ‘Top Safety Pick’ for the year. Even recalls on 2016 Kia Soul are minimal and have reduced from what they were with previous MY. Some standard safety specifications that add to the capabilities of the wagon include:

Dual front advanced airbags
Dual front seat-mounted side airbags
Electronic Stability Control
Anti-lock Braking System
Electronic Brake-force Distribution
Hill-start Assist Control

Final Verdict

With its funky design, sturdy build quality, practicality, and interior space, the 2016 Kia Soul is worth a look if you want something a bit different as there is nothing quite like it available in the market. It does have a poor fuel economy to be honest and is noisy at higher speeds but the positives are much more than the negatives and the Soul should be on your consideration list.

Trims

Base
$15,900 onwards

60/40-Split folding rear seats
Bluetooth
Cloth upholstery
Satellite radio
Six-Speaker audio system
Tilt-And-Telescoping steering wheel
USB input

PLUS
$19,400 onwards

5-Inch touchscreen
Automatic climate control
Automatic headlights
Center armrests for front and back seats
Cruise control
Foglights
Heated mirrors
Remote keyless entry

!
$21,300 onwards

18-Inch wheels
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Keyless entry and ignition
Leather-Wrapped steering wheel
Upholstery trim

Compare to similar cars

8.4

2016 Kia Soul

Price

$15,900- $21,300

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.43

Horsepower

164 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque

151 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

Read Review

7.7

2016 Fiat 500L

$19,495- $24,795

Gasoline

7.69

160 hp @ 5500 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

Read Review

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's 0-60

	Car Name	0-60 MPH	Quarter Mile	Top Speed	Source	Compare
	2016 Kia Soul Ranked #2	9.6 sec	17.2 sec	106 mph
	2016 Fiat 500L Ranked #1	8.1 sec	16.2 sec	120 mph

	Car Name	MPG City	MPG Highway	MPG Combined	Fuel Tank Capacity	Range (C/H)	Source	Compare
	2016 Kia Soul Ranked #2	24 mpg	30 mpg	26 mpg	14.2 gal.	340.8/426 mi.
	2016 Fiat 500L Ranked #1	22 mpg	33 mpg	28 mpg	13.2 gal.	330/435.6 mi.

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's dimensions

	Car Name	Length	Width	Height	Ground Clearance	Wheelbase	Source	Compare
	2016 Kia Soul Ranked #2	163 in.	70.9 in.	63 in.	5.9 in.	101.2 in.
	2016 Fiat 500L Ranked #1	167.3 in.	69.8 in.	65.7 in.	4.7 in.	102.8 in.

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's trunk space

	Car Name	Trunk Capacity	Passenger Volume	Max Trunk Volume	Source	Compare
	2016 Kia Soul Ranked #2	24.2 cu.ft.	101 cu.ft.	61.3 cu.ft.
	2016 Fiat 500L Ranked #1	22.4 cu.ft.	98.8 cu.ft.	68 cu.ft.

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's cargo space

	Car Name	Cargo Volume	Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area	Max Cargo Volume	Bed Length	Source	Compare
	2016 Kia Soul Ranked #1	61.3 cu.ft.	24.2 cu.ft.	61.3 cu.ft.	-
	2016 Fiat 500L Ranked #2	68 cu.ft.	22.4 cu.ft.	68 cu.ft.	98 ft.

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's towing capacity

	Car Name	Weight	Source	Compare
	2016 Kia Soul Ranked #1	2714 lbs.
	2016 Fiat 500L Ranked #1	3212 lbs.

2016 Kia Soul Wagon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

Recalls

Investigations

744

Complaints

Overall Safety Rating

2016 Kia K900

Horsepower : 311 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 20 mpg

0-60 : 6.4 sec

2016 Kia Cadenza

Horsepower : 293 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG Combined : 22 mpg

0-60 : 6.2 sec

2016 Kia Sedona

Horsepower : 276 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 20 mpg

0-60 : 7.7 sec

2016 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

Horsepower : 199 hp @ 5500 rpm

MPG Combined : 38 mpg

0-60 : 8 sec

2016 Kia Optima

Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 28 mpg

0-60 : 8 sec

2016 Kia Sorento

Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 24 mpg

0-60 : 9.1 sec

2016 Kia Sportage

Horsepower : 182 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG Combined : 24 mpg

0-60 : 9 sec

2016 Kia Forte

Horsepower : 145 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG Combined : 30 mpg

0-60 : 8.6 sec

2016 Kia Rio

Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 31 mpg

0-60 : 8.5 sec

2016 Kia Soul

Horsepower : 130 hp @ 6300 rpm

MPG Combined : 26 mpg

0-60 : 9.6 sec

#10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kia Soul good in the snow?

The Kia Soul gets only an FWD drivetrain with no AWD available even as an option. That said, the various safety features and driver aids help the 2016 Soul a pretty confident driver even in the snow.

Is the Kia Soul a good car to buy?

The 2016 Kia Soul offers a complete package with its quirky styling, feature-loaded nature, and affordable price tag. The spacious cabin is complimented by a large trunk space and a comfortable ride quality, making it one of the most popular compact cars in the segment.

Is the Kia Soul good on gas?

The 2016 Kia Soul gets an MPG rating of 24/30/26 MPG in city/highway/combined conditions which is on par with the segment standards. The 14.2-gallon fuel tank, therefore, offers a range of about 426 miles on a single tank of gas.

Is there a recall on the 2016 Kia Soul?

The 2016 Soul has been recalled 3 times which is pretty low when compared to some of its rivals. The recalls were for issues like steering gear issues, overheating catalytic converter, and damaged park mechanism.

2016 Kia Soul User Reviews

0.0

[3 Reviews]

[0.0%] [0 Reviews]

POPULAR TAGS

mountain

driver

parallel

camera

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...

Tori smith

2017 Kia Soul

4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 6M)

Not Rated

User Overall Rating

Posted On: August 12, 2024

Best car ive owned

Pros - ["Lots of space", "Comfortable seats", "Great miles"]

Cons - ["The maintaining", "The oil changes", "Needs plugs"]

I love the details to the car and i love the quality's that it has. I love the miles per gallons it great for families. Its great for vacations and great if u like space. It has great loud speakers if u like ur music loud.

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. ...

Other Subcompact Wagon

2016 Kia Soul

Write a review and Earn Upto $50* on PayPal

News

Car Comparison

Specs & Features

Overview

We Recommend

2016 Kia Soul for sale

Buying Advice

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Features9.0/10

Engine and Performance7.0/10

Fuel Economy7.0/10

Interior9.0/10

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2016 Kia Soul?

Exterior9.0/10

Safety9.0/10

Final Verdict

Trims

Compare to similar cars

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's 0-60

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's MPG

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's dimensions

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's trunk space

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's cargo space

2016 Kia Soul vs competitor's towing capacity

2016 Kia Soul Wagon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

Top Kia Cars

2016 Kia K900

2016 Kia Cadenza

2016 Kia Sedona

2016 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

2016 Kia Optima

2016 Kia Sorento

2016 Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Forte

2016 Kia Rio

2016 Kia Soul

Frequently Asked Questions

2016 Kia Soul User Reviews

0.0

Great little car

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

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

Best car ive owned

Pros - ["Lots of space", "Comfortable seats", "Great miles"]

Cons - ["The maintaining", "The oil changes", "Needs plugs"]

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"]

Other Subcompact Wagon

Features
9.0/10

Engine and Performance
7.0/10

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

Interior
9.0/10

Exterior
9.0/10

Safety
9.0/10