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2018 Kia Soul

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Rating7.1

Ranked #1 in 

Subcompact Wagon
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$16,200 - $22,900
Starting Price 

Year

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 10, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Commodious cabin

Base engine is anemic

The base trim's convenience package gains UVO infotainment along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto .

Spacious cargo area

Desirable features are optional

The base trim's convenience package also gets automatic climate control.

Top safety ratings

Bigger wheels have unforgiving ride quality

Higher trims get a few feature addition in their optional package and a new exterior color option.

Fuel-efficient and punchy turbo-four engine

Low gas mileage from base engine

Specs & Features

$16,200

price

130 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

118 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

This year, the 2018 Kia Soul gets only a few feature updates and a new Wild Orange color joins the palette to complement the quirky styling. The new Kia UVO infotainment system is now available as standard from the Soul Plus onwards and is available with the Convenience package for the base model. The Primo Lit package replaces the Plus Primo package for the mid-range model and gains a few additional features. The 2018 Kia Soul price starts at $17,095 including an $895 destination fee and sees a price hike of just $100 from last year.

Featuring a 3-trim lineup of the Soul, the 2018 Kia Soul MSRP can be an expense of $17,095-$23,795 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

While not many might be able to shell out huge money for the top model with the turbocharged engine, we believe the 2018 Kia Soul Plus offers the most value for money, both in terms of performance and creature comforts.

The 2018 Soul gets three engine options and three gearbox choices. The base engine lacks any soul and offers mediocre gas mileage while the 2.0-liter inline-4 engine is midway between the base and the turbocharged engine. While the turbo-four engine mated with the dual-clutch gearbox makes the Soul a fun-to-drive wagon despite its looks suggesting otherwise. At this price point, the 2018 Kia Soul competes against the segment favorites like the practical Honda HR-V, the frugal Toyota Corolla iM, and the peppy Fiat 500L.  

2018 Kia Soul for sale

The Kia Soul not only comes at an attractive price tag, but the buying options are also pretty affordable for most buyers. The 2018 Soul finance offers start at $478/month at 3.75% APR for a duration of 60 months while the Soul lease deals begin at just $224/month for a 36-month tenure. The down payment is common for both at $1,795 and the leasing option has a 10,000-mile annual mileage limit.

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 top trim with the turbocharged engine could be the default choice for enthusiasts but for a wider audience, we recommend picking the mid-level Plus(+) trim. This trim gets a bigger and more powerful engine and a host of features that are otherwise optional on the base trim and a few that aren't available on the top trim. Other than that the bigger engine of the Plus(+) trim is also as fuel-efficient as the base engine thus making it a win-win proposition.

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Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2018 Kia Soul comes with a few features shuffling and addition in its optional packages and a choice of new Wild Orange exterior color (which you see in the picture below). The 2018 Soul got a $100 price bump and starts at $17,095 while it goes up to $23,795 for the top-end Soul Exclaim trim. For the price range, there are three trim options and each trim gets a different powertrain and gearbox combination, the details of which we have talked about in the 'Engine and Transmission' section.

Moving inside the cabin, the first thing you would realize is the space and the headroom on offer. The cabin quality remains acceptable in lower trims but gets better as you climb the trim ladder or add the optional packages. For more details on the optional package read our 'Features' section. That said, the 2018 Kia Soul is a wagon but falls under the compact car segment thus rivaling Honda HR-V, Fiat 500L, and Toyota Corolla iM.

Buying Advice

The top trim with the turbocharged engine could be the default choice for enthusiasts but for a wider audience, we recommend picking the mid-level Plus(+) trim. This trim gets a bigger and more powerful engine and a host of features that are otherwise optional on the base trim and a few that aren't available on the top trim. Other than that the bigger engine of the Plus(+) trim is also as fuel-efficient as the base engine thus making it a win-win proposition. 

Features
6.0/10

The 2018 Kia Soul wagon is offered in three trims namely base, Plus(+), and Exclaim(!). The base trim starts at $16,200 and has both manual and automatic gearbox options with power coming from the 1.6-liter inline-4 engine. The base trim is barebones and if going for this trim you would need to get the Convenience package that adds automatic headlights, UVO infotainment interface with a 7-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rearview camera, and automatic climate control.

Moving up you have the Plus(+) trim that costs $20,400 and is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine which is offered only with the automatic transmission. This trim adds a few more features and all the features of the above Convenience package. While Plus(+) can also be had with the Audio package that adds an eight-speaker Harman & Kardon sound system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, keyless entry and ignition, etc.

Trims Base Plus (+) Exclaim (!)
MSRP (Manual) $17,095 N/A N/A
MSRP (Auto) $18,695 $21,295 $23,795
Features 130 hp, 1.6-liter inline-4 engine Adds or upgrades to 'Base' Adds or upgrades to 'Plus (+)'
  16-inch alloy wheels 161 hp, 2.0-liter inline-4 engine 201 hp, 1.6-liter turbo inline-4 engine
  Height-adjustable driver's seat 17-inch alloy wheels 18-inch alloy wheels
  Rear privacy glass 7-inch touchscreen w/ Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
  Six-speaker sound system Automatic climate control Keyless entry and ignition
  60/40-split folding rear seats Foglights Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  Air conditioning Rearview camera Upgraded interior trims w/ a mix of fabric and leather upholstery

Another package available is the Primo Lit package that adds power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power-folding outside mirror, driver-assist features, sunroof, etc. The top most Exclaim(!) trim starts at $22,900 and comes with all the features of the Plus(+) trim minus the features from the Primo Lit package.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The 2018 Kia Soul powered by the base engine has an EPA estimated gas mileage of 25 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. While the same engine with the automatic gearbox sees an increase of one mpg in the highway gas mileage. The bigger 2.0-liter inline-4 engine powered Soul returns 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. While the turbo-four engine powered Soul returns 6 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Thus the turbo-four remains the most fuel-efficient engine option for the Soul wagon.

Model 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Honda HR-V 2018 Toyota Corolla iM 2018 Fiat 500L
MPG (city) 25 28 28 22
MPG (highway) 30 34 36 30
MPG (combined) 27 31 31 25
Fuel Capacity (gallons) 14.2 13.2 14.0 13.2

In this comparison, the Toyota Corolla iM is without doubt the most fuel-efficient car. It returns 28/36/31 mpg in city/highway/combined respectively which is 3 mpg more in the city, 6 mpg more on the highway, and 4 mpg more combined compared to the Soul wagon.

Interior
7.0/10

"The 2018 Kia Soul has a standout interior. High-quality materials, spacious seats, and a massive cargo area are among its highlights." - Cars.usnews.com

2018 Kia Soul Seating and Comfort

Due to its boxy design, the cabin of the 2018 Kia Soul feels roomy. The tall boy design gives you a higher-than-usual ride height which is in between a hatchback and an SUV. Upfront the dash is simple and the material used around the cabin is of acceptable quality. Moving up in the trim level the cabin material quality does improve by a considerable amount. That said, the visibility outside the cabin is overall excellent and the available rearview camera helps overcome the blind spot caused by thick rear pillars.

The seats of the Kia Soul offer a decent amount of comfort but power adjustment and heating and ventilation are optional on the base and standard from the Plus and higher trims. Although the ride quality of the Soul isn't plush but the front seats won't tire you out when sitting for long hours in them. That said, the rear bench could do with some more cushion and feels a bit more firm than the front ones. Seating for five is what the Soul claims but unless you seat three very skinny folks at the back four occupants can only be at ease in the Soul.

Model 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Honda HR-V 2018 Toyota Corolla iM 2018 Fiat 500L
Passenger capacity 5 5 5 5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)   39.6/ 55.5/ 40.9 39.5/ 56.8/ 41.2 39.7/ 54.3/ 41.7 40.7/ 57.3/ 40.0
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)   39.5/ 54.7/ 39.1 38.3/ 54.5/ 39.3 37.5/ 54.1/ 32.7 38.7/ 54.6/ 36.7

The cabin space of the Kia Soul is among the best and at par with the rival Honda HR-V. The legroom and headroom in both rows of the Soul are generous while the shoulder room is a bit lacking in the front row compared to the HR-V.  

Interior Features

  • Height-adjustable driver's seat
  • 60/40-split folding rear seats
  • Available power-adjustable front seats
  • Available automatic climate control
  • Available upgraded fabric upholstery
  • Available leather-wrapped steering wheel

2018 Kia Soul Infotainment System

“Kia’s infotainment system continues to be one of the best because it’s easy to use and logical.” -Motor Trend

The base model of the 2018 Kia Soul wagon gets a six-speaker stereo with USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, etc. Moving to the higher trims you can either add a 7-inch or an 8-inch touchscreen that runs on the UVO infotainment system. Both the units offer smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 7-inch touchscreen is optional on the base trim while the 8-inch unit is optional on the Plus(+) trim. While optional for the top-end Exclaim(!) trim is the premium Harman & Kardon sound system with LED speaker lights to take the party on the road. Other optional features that are part of the Audio package include satellite radio, navigation, more USB ports, etc.

2018 Kia Soul Cargo Capacity

The 2018 Kia Soul offers a generous 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats can be folded in 60/40-split to accommodate odd or bigger size cargo.

Being boxy in shape the cargo area is well-shaped and with the rear seats folded it can be expanded to 49.5 cubic feet.

Model 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Honda HR-V 2018 Toyota Corolla iM 2018 Fiat 500L
Standard Cargo Capacity (ft³.) 18.8 24.3 20.8 22.4
Maximum Cargo Capacity (ft³.) 49.5 58.8 20.8 68.0

In this comparison, the Honda HR-V has the biggest boot of 24.3 cubic feet which is 5.5 cubic feet more than what you get in the Kia Soul.

Exterior
8.0/10

"Now in its second generation, the Kia Soul still has the functionally blessed proportions of the original, though the details have matured in this second edition." -  The Car Connection

2018 Kia Soul Dimension and Weight

The 2018 Kia Soul was last redesigned in the year 2014 and then it received a mild refresh just last year so there are no changes to the exterior design and dimensions of the Soul this year. That said, the Kia Soul is the smallest car in the Kia lineup and it seems like the design engineers were given a free hand to make it look stylish and funky and not a boring breadbox on wheels kind of wagon.

The Kia Soul is a tallboy and stands 63.5-inches in height. It has a smaller footprint though and measures only 163-inches in length and has 101.2-inches of wheelbase. Although to make the cabin roomy and the outer stance more proportioned Kia does give the Soul 70.9-inches of width and 5.9-inches of ground clearance.

Model 2018 Kia Soul 2018 Honda HR-V 2018 Toyota Corolla iM 2018 Fiat 500L
Curb Weight (lbs) 2,942 2,902 3,031 3,254
Length (in) 163.0 169.1 170.5 167.0
Width (in) 70.9 69.8 69.3 70.2
Height (in) 63.5 63.2 55.3 65.3
Ground Clearance (in) 5.9 6.7 5.5 4.7
Wheelbase (in) 101.2 102.8 102.4 102.8

Compared to the rivals, the Kia Soul is the tallest and widest car here. While the Corolla hatchback is the longest (7.5-inches longer than the Soul) while the Fiat 500L and the HR-V have the longest wheelbase among all (1.6-inches more than the Soul).

Exterior Feature

  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Available automatic headlights
  • Available foglights
  • Available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Available sunroof

Safety
7.0/10

Even though the 2018 Kia Soul misses out on advanced driver-assist and safety features in the base trim yet it managed to grab the top honors of 'Top Safety Pikc+' from IIHS. Further, the IIHS gave the 2018 Soul the highest rating of 'Good' in five out of six parameters. The NHTSA in the same line gave the 2018 Soul a perfect score in overall safety rating with a perfect score in front and side crash test while in the rollover mitigation test it was given four out of five stars. 

Safety features:

  • Side-Impact Door Beams
  • Front and Rear Crumple Zones
  • Available adaptive cruise control
  • Available rear cross-traffic alert
  • Available forward-collision warning w/ automatic emergency braking
  • Available lane-departure warning

Competition
7.0/10

2018 Kia Soul Vs 2018 Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V is the direct competitor of the Kia Soul when it comes to cabin space and overall practicality being offered in a small car. Both the cars offer almost similar cabin space but the longer HR-V has more cargo space to offer compared to the Soul. Another similar aspect of both cars is that both of them get good safety ratings.

That is where the similarity ends. When we talk about the powertrain the HR-V gets only one while the Soul has three on offer thus giving more choice and flexibility to the user. That said, the turbo-four engine of the Soul gives it an upper hand over the HR-V in terms of performance on offer. Thus making Soul a more compelling choice between the two.

2018 Kia Soul Vs 2018 Toyota Corolla iM

The 2018 Toyota Corolla just like its sedan sibling isn't special in terms of engine, performance, or cabin. What it does offer are better reliability, high gas mileage, and a fuss-free ownership experience. But wait the Kia Soul also has an above-average reliability rating with a much better proposition to offer its customer against the Corolla hatchback.

The Soul has peppy engine options and a more spacious cabin with better quality material used inside. The exterior dimensions of the Soul are compact compared to the much longer in length Corolla hatchback thus it is easier to drive the Soul in the city.  That said, the Corolla also remains uninspiring to drive compared to the Soul. Thus our pick would again be the Soul over the Corolla hatchback here.

Final Verdict

The 2018 Kia Soul is an appealing car. It has three engine options that cater to a large set of audience. It has a spacious cabin and thanks to its tallboy design it offers a commanding view of what's ahead and a generous amount of headroom in both rows. The safety ratings of the Soul are class-leading but the advanced driver-assist features limited to the higher trims and optional package is a bummer. That said, for urban dwellers, the Kia Soul is a perfect companion that can handle mundane grocery runs and fun drives over the weekend with equal zest.

 

Trims

    Base
    $16,200 onwards
    • 16-Inch alloy wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • 60/40-Split folding rear seats
    • Height-Adjustable driver seat
    • Rear privacy glass
    • Satellite radio
    • Six-Speaker sound system
    +
    $20,400 onwards
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Heated mirrors
    • Keyless entry
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Selectable drive modes
    • Upgrade cloth upholstery
    !
    $22,900 onwards
    • 18 inch machined w/painted accents aluminum Wheels
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • Keyless ignition and entry
    • Leather-Wrapped steering wheel
    • Upgraded exterior trim

Compare to similar cars

7.1
2018 Kia Soul

Price

$16,200- $23,795

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.09

Horsepower

201 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

195 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

2018 Kia Soul vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    		Source
    		7.5 sec15.8 sec116 mph
    Read More

    2018 Kia Soul vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      		Source
      		25 mpg30 mpg27 mpg14.2 gal.340.8/426 mi.

      2018 Kia Soul vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        		Source
        		163 in.70.9 in.63.5 in.5.9 in.101.2 in.

        2018 Kia Soul vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          		Source
          		18.8 cu.ft.101 cu.ft.49.5 cu.ft.

          2018 Kia Soul vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            		Source
            		49.5 cu.ft.18.8 cu.ft.49.5 cu.ft.

            2018 Kia Soul vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Weight
              		Source
              		8900 lbs.2884 lbs.

              2018 Kia Soul Wagon Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              181

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2018 Kia Stinger

              Horsepower : 255 hp @ 6200 rpm

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              2018 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 192 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 42 mpg

              0-60 : 7.6 sec

              #5

              2018 Kia Optima

              Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 29 mpg

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              2018 Kia Sorento

              Horsepower : 185 hp @ 6000 rpm

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              2018 Kia Sportage

              Horsepower : 181 hp @ 6000 rpm

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              2018 Kia Forte

              Horsepower : 147 hp @ 6200 rpm

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              #9

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              Horsepower : 139 hp @ 5700 rpm

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              #10

              Frequently Asked Questions

              What is better a Kia or Hyundai?
              While both the sister companies offer similar vehicles with a lot of chassis and powertrain sharing, Kia offers more unique & bold styling. Kia also offers more value in terms of loaded features, warranty coverage and the price it is offered at
              How many miles is a 2018 Kia Soul good for?
              The 2018 Soul gets an EPA-rated 24/30 MPG in city/highway conditions and with a 14.3-gallon fuel tank on offer, the Soul is good for about 426 miles on a single tank of gas.
              Are there any issues with the 2018 Kia Soul?
              The 2018 Kia Soul problems aren't many and are limited to its engine, powertrain, and airbags. That said, there have been only about 100 complaints registered for over 100,000 units sold in the US.
              Is Kia Soul 2018 reliable?
              The 2018 Soul reliability rating of 80/100 by J.D. Power is amongst the best in the segment. There have been only one recall and very few complaints, making it one of the more reliable options in the market.

              2018 Kia Soul User Reviews

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              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.

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

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