
2025 Kia Soul
Our Verdict
The 2025 Kia Soul is a fun-loving, practical small crossover that delivers big value. Its quirky boxy design yields surprising interior space and style. However, it’s not built for speed or rugged terrain.
The 2025 Kia Soul is a fun-loving, practical small crossover that delivers big value. Its quirky boxy design yields surprising interior space and style. However, it’s not built for speed or rugged terrain.
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The Kia Soul is a compact car with big personality and SUV-like versatility. Its bold, upright design offers a roomy interior and flexible cargo space, ideal for city driving.
With vibrant colors, available two-tone roof, a tech-savvy cabin, and mood-lighting speakers, the Soul adds fun to every ride. It also delivers peace of mind with smart safety features and Kia’s trusted reliability.
This base model is all about value. The LX is a solid pick if you need a practical daily driver on a tight budget. Despite its low price, it doesn’t skimp on basics: you get the same 147-hp engine, a smooth CVT automatic, and seating for five. Key features include 16-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, manual air conditioning, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (so you can connect your smartphone maps and music easily).
The S trim hits the sweet spot for many. With the S, you upgrade to 16-inch alloy wheels (instead of steel), get premium touches like a 10.25-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation and Kia Connect services, and enjoy comforts such as a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Importantly, the S includes more of Kia’s Drive Wise safety suite: blind-spot collision avoidance, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance are standard from S upward (whereas they were optional on LX). The S trim also features keyless entry and push-button start with a Smart Key, plus dual-zone automatic climate control.
The GT-Line is the trendier trim that gives this car a sport-inspired makeover. It doesn’t add more horsepower, but it looks the part – you’ll get 18-inch alloy wheels with an exclusive design, a sportier body kit with gloss black and red accents, and unique GT-Line badging. The front fascia is tweaked to appear more aggressive, and fog lights and LED daytime running lights are included for a premium touch. Inside, the GT-Line gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and sport cloth seats with red stitching for flair. It comes with the same large 10.25-inch infotainment system as the S, and you can opt for a GT-Line Technology Package to really load it up with a power sunroof, heated front seats, the Harman Kardon premium sound system, and full LED headlights/taillights.
The EX is the top regular trim and comes fully equipped for a comfortable ride. It’s arguably the best value because it bundles almost every feature the Soul offers. On the outside, the EX is a bit more understated than the GT-Line (17-inch wheels and chrome/black grille), but it adds plenty of substance: power sunroof, heated side mirrors with turn signals, and roof rails are standard. Inside is where the EX shines—you get SynTex leatherette & cloth combination seats, a power driver’s seat (with 2-way lumbar), and heated front seats for those cold mornings. The EX is loaded with tech: the 10.25-inch display with navigation, Kia’s UVO/Connect services, and every driver assist (blind-spot, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping, etc.) all included. It even has ambient LED interior lighting to set the mood. For audio, you can opt for the Harman Kardon system with center speaker and subwoofer (via the EX Designer Package, or by adding the Soulmate package). The cargo area in the EX also comes with a dual-level floor and cargo cover for extra utility.
The Kia Soul’s boxy, upright design stands out while maximizing interior space. Bold LED lights, a floating grille, and boomerang tail lights add flair, while available 18-inch wheels and black trim give it a mature look.
The Soul’s tall, boxy shape gives adults roomy seating and tons of cargo space. Fun trims add LED lights, SynTex seats, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
All Soul models come with auto emergency braking, lane keeping, and driver attention alerts. Higher trims add blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, and even smart cruise with turn collision assist.
The Soul gets 30–31 MPG combined with its 2.0L engine, matching or beating rivals. Expect 400+ miles of range from its 14-gallon tank.
The Soul offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional nav even on lower trims. EX adds UVO app access, wireless charging, rear USB ports, and Harman Kardon audio with LED speaker lights.
The Soul’s 2.0L engine delivers 147 hp—enough for smooth, daily driving. Light steering, comfy suspension, and agile handling make it ideal for city use, not sporty performance.
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Feature | 2025 Kia Soul (FWD only) | 2025 Nissan Kicks (FWD only) | 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer (FWD/AWD) |
Performance | 147-hp 2.0L, Peppy, No AWD
| 141-hp 2.0L, Efficient City Performer | 137–155 hp Turbo, AWD Available
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Tech & Interior | High-Tech Vibe: Big Screen, LED Touches | Simple Cabin, 7–12.3″ Screen, Wireless CarPlay | Modern UI, 8″ Screen Option, Wireless CarPlay |
Practicality | Boxy Shape, 62 cu ft Max Cargo | Compact Size, ~30 cu ft Cargo, City-Friendly | Split-Fold Seats, 54 cu ft, Light AWD Utility
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Comfort & Space | Tall Roof, Roomy Cabin, Smooth City Ride | Adequate Front Room, Tighter Rear Seats | Comfortable ride, SUV-like seating, roomy |
Who’s It For? | Tech-savvy style, space, budget-friendly ride
| Fuel-efficient, basic, ideal for budget buyers | AWD-ready, compact SUV for all climates |
Best Choice For |
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