2025 Audi A4 vs. 2025 Kia Soul

TrueCar puts the Kia Soul well ahead on price, $21,935 MSRP against $43,295 for the Audi A4, a $21,360 gap, and says the Soul also wins on fuel costs at 29 city/35 highway mpg against the A4's 26 city/36 highway. iSeeCars shows the Soul backed by a far longer warranty, 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain against the A4's 4 years/50,000 miles, plus a 7.6/10 overall score and a #1 ranking among most-affordable wagons, categories where the A4 has no iSeeCars score yet. Choose the Soul for the price, warranty and fuel savings; choose the A4 for its available quattro AWD, higher base horsepower and upscale interior.

Which to choose, and why

Price and fuel economy

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says if starting price matters most, the Kia Soul has the edge, with a $21,935 MSRP against $43,295 for the Audi A4, a difference of $21,360, and that if fuel costs matter more, the Soul wins with 29 city and 35 highway mpg against the A4's 26 city and 36 highway.

Warranty and ratings

iSeeCars (opens in a new tab) shows the Kia Soul carrying a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, against 4 years/50,000 miles on both fronts for the Audi A4, and lists the Soul with a 7.6/10 overall score, a 7.4/10 reliability score, and a #1 ranking among the most affordable wagons and wagons with the most cargo space, categories where the A4 does not yet have an iSeeCars score.

Questions buyers ask

How much cheaper is the Kia Soul than the Audi A4?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Soul starts $21,360 lower, at a $21,935 MSRP against $43,295 for the A4.

Which has the longer powertrain warranty, the Soul or the A4?

iSeeCars (opens in a new tab) shows the Kia Soul at 10 years/100,000 miles against 4 years/50,000 miles for the Audi A4.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Audi A4: 3 records · Kia Soul: 2 records.

Decision field	Audi A4	Kia Soul
Exact EPA records	3	2
Model / option labels	3	2
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid	2L 4-cyl
Transmissions	Automatic (AM-S7)	Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel types	Premium	Regular
EPA classes	Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons	Small Station Wagons
Combined efficiency	26–29 MPG/MPGe	30–31 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2750–3050 per year	$2100–2150 per year

Head to head

Audi A4 vs. Kia Soul: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Audi A4	Kia Soul
Starting price (KBB base)	$43,295	$21,885
Top trim price (KBB base)	$52,595	$26,185
Horsepower	201-261 hp	147 hp
Torque	273 lb-ft	132 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	5.2 sec	n/a
Curb weight	n/a	2,888-2,998 lb
Length	187.5 in	165.2 in
Wheelbase	111 in	102.4 in
Cargo volume	12 cu ft	62.1 cu ft
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	5 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2025 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Kia Soul starts $21,410 lower: $21,885 against $43,295 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Audi A4 leads: 261 hp against 147 hp.
On peak torque, the Audi A4 leads: 273 lb-ft against 132 lb-ft.
On length, the Audi A4 leads: 187.5 in against 165.2 in.
On wheelbase, the Audi A4 leads: 111 in against 102.4 in.
On cargo volume, the Kia Soul leads: 62.1 cu ft against 12 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Kia Soul leads: 5 years against 4 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Audi A4 and the Kia Soul.

2025 Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a line of luxury compact executive cars produced from 1994 to 2025 by the German car manufacturer Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The A4 has been built in five generations and is based on the Volkswagen Group B platform. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80.

Awards: Cars.com 2018 Luxury Car of the Year 2016 Best Premium Car - Fleet News Japan Car of the Year Award (Import Category - 2016) Kelly Blue Book Best Buy Award 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist 2017 What Car Car of the Year 2016

Source: Audi A4 (Wikipedia)

Safety. In the Euro NCAP safety and crash tests, the Audi B5 A4 received 3 stars for front- and side-impact protection, but the last star is flagged to indicate that the driver may be subjected to a high risk of chest injury in the side impact. Adult occupant = Pedestrian = (pre 2002 rating)

Performance. MMI system (Multi Media Interface) (multi-mode interface of driver information and entertainment systems); (3rd generation MMI expected in vehicles produced from week 22 of 2009).

NHTSA rated the 2025 Audi A4 overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA for the 2024 Audi A4, most often about tires (1), electrical system (1), air bags (1).

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover hatchback manufactured and marketed by Kia, produced from 2008 to 2025, in over three generations. Marketed as a crossover since its introduction, the Soul was a five-door, five-passenger hatchback with boxy proportions and a tall roof, maximizing interior space. However, despite its crossover-like styling, it was exclusively offered with front-wheel drive.

Source: Kia Soul (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Kia Soul overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)

February 2025, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage. Consequence: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
December 2023, Air Bags. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly. Consequence: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
July 2023, Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:Pump. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat. Consequence: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Soul, most often about exterior lighting (4), unknown or other (3), lane departure (2).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2025Audi A43 configurations →02 · 2025Kia Soul2 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2025 Audi A4 or the 2025 Kia Soul?

Efficiency

The 2025 Kia Soul lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30.5 vs. the 2025 Audi A4's 27.5 MPG/MPGe).