2026 Buick Envista vs. 2025 Kia Soul

Car Chomper says the Kia Soul starts $3,310 below the Buick Envista, $20,490 against $23,800, and names the Soul best for commuters, families and best value on that price plus 24.2 cu ft of cargo space against the Envista's 20.7 cu ft. The Soul also edges out in power at 147 hp against the Envista's 137 hp, while the Envista counters with more torque, 162 lb-ft against 132, and takes Car Chomper's best-for-enthusiasts pick on that. DriveDuel separately has the Soul $3,300 cheaper and slightly better on city mpg. Choose the Soul for the price and cargo room; choose the Envista for the extra torque.

Which to choose, and why

Price, cargo and Car Chomper's verdicts

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the most significant numerical differentiator between the two is the MSRP, with the Kia Soul starting at $3,310 less ($20,490 vs $23,800), and names the Soul best for commuters, best for families and best value, citing its lower price plus 24.2 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Envista's 20.7 cu ft. It names the Envista best for enthusiasts, citing 162 lb-ft of torque against the Soul's 132 lb-ft, even though the Soul makes slightly more horsepower, 147 hp against 137.

A second read on price and mpg

DriveDuel (opens in a new tab) separately has the Kia Soul starting at $20,500 against $23,800 for the Buick Envista, and says the Soul performs barely better on city fuel economy, 29 mpg against 28 mpg for the Envista.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Buick Envista or the Kia Soul?

Car Chomper (opens in a new tab) says the Soul, at $20,490 against $23,800 for the Envista, a $3,310 difference.

Which has more cargo space, the Envista or the Soul?

Car Chomper says the Soul, at 24.2 cu ft against the Envista's 20.7 cu ft.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Buick Envista: 2 records · Kia Soul: 2 records.

Decision field	Buick Envista	Kia Soul
Exact EPA records	2	2
Model / option labels	2	2
Drive layouts	Front-Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	1.2L 3-cyl SIDI, 1.2L 3-cyl SIDI; FFV	2L 4-cyl
Transmissions	Automatic 6-spd	Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel types	Gasoline or E85, Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Small Station Wagons	Small Station Wagons
Combined efficiency	30 MPG/MPGe	30–31 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2150 per year	$2100–2150 per year

Head to head

Buick Envista vs. Kia Soul: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Buick Envista	Kia Soul
Starting price (KBB base)	$26,495	$21,885
Top trim price (KBB base)	$31,295	$26,185
Horsepower	137 hp	147 hp
Torque	162 lb-ft	132 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,137 lb	2,888-2,998 lb
Length	182.6 in	165.2 in
Wheelbase	106 in	102.4 in
Cargo volume	42 cu ft	62.1 cu ft
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	5 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 and 2025 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Kia Soul starts $4,610 lower: $21,885 against $26,495 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Kia Soul leads: 147 hp against 137 hp.
On peak torque, the Buick Envista leads: 162 lb-ft against 132 lb-ft.
The Kia Soul is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 2,888 lb against 3,137 lb.
On length, the Buick Envista leads: 182.6 in against 165.2 in.
On wheelbase, the Buick Envista leads: 106 in against 102.4 in.
On cargo volume, the Kia Soul leads: 62.1 cu ft against 42 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Kia Soul leads: 5 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Buick Envista and the Kia Soul.

2026 Buick Envista

The Buick Envista is a subcompact crossover SUV with a fastback design manufactured by General Motors and marketed under the Buick brand since 2022 for the model years 2023 onward, 2024 for North America. It shares the GM VSS-F platform with the Chevrolet Trax (marketed as the Seeker in China). Presented for the Chinese market in August 2022, GM introduced the Envista in April 2023 in the United States and Canada.

Source: Buick Envista (Wikipedia)

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

August 2026, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image. Consequence: A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
November 2023, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving. Consequence: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Buick Envista, most often about electrical system (13), unknown or other (9), engine (5).

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 · 2026Buick Envista2 configurations →02 · 2025Kia Soul2 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Buick Envista or the 2025 Kia Soul?

Efficiency

The 2025 Kia Soul lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30.5 vs. the 2026 Buick Envista's 30 MPG/MPGe).