Model research hub
Kia Soul
SlashGear says the Kia Soul will be discontinued after the 2025 model year, with production ending in October 2025, closing out a 16-year run and three generations since the Soul first appeared for the 2010 model year. The Torque Report says Kia has confirmed production of the Soul officially wrapped up in October 2025, marking the end of one of the brand's most recognizable and quirky nameplates, with a few thousand 2025 Soul models remaining on dealer lots across the U.S. CarBuzz says in addition to three generations of production versions, Kia built several Soul-based concepts over the years, and that the biggest change came for the 2017 model year refresh, when Kia introduced a turbocharged engine to the model for the first time.
The end of a 16-year run
SlashGear (opens in a new tab) says the Kia Soul will be discontinued after the 2025 model year, with production ending in October 2025, closing out a 16-year run and three generations since the Soul first appeared for the 2010 model year.
A few thousand units left on lots
The Torque Report (opens in a new tab) says Kia has confirmed production of the Soul officially wrapped up in October 2025, marking the end of one of the brand's most recognizable and quirky nameplates, with a few thousand 2025 Soul models remaining on dealer lots across the U.S.
Three generations and a first turbo
CarBuzz (opens in a new tab) says in addition to three generations of production versions, Kia built several Soul-based concepts over the years, and that the biggest change came for the 2017 model year refresh, when Kia introduced a turbocharged engine to the model for the first time.
Questions buyers ask
Is the Kia Soul discontinued?
Yes — SlashGear (opens in a new tab) says production ended in October 2025 after the 2025 model year.
How many generations of the Kia Soul were there?
SlashGear (opens in a new tab) says three, over a 16-year run starting in 2010.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Kia Soul is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, rated at 147 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 Soul seats 5 and is a Subcompact SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 12 owner complaints for the 2025 Soul.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Kia Soul
Every 2025 Soul uses the same 147-horsepower 2.0L engine and CVT; no turbo option is offered this model year despite past GT-Line Turbo variants.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed Kia Soul model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Soul | 2 | 2025 record → |
| 2022 Kia Soul | 2022 record → | |
| 2019 Kia Soul | 2019 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the 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); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Kia Soul at a glance
- Production
- 2008–2025
- Model years
- 2009–2025
- Class
- Subcompact crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door hatchback
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Kia Soul generations
The Kia Soul has been redesigned in 2013, 2019, gaps of 5, 6 years, an average of 5.5 years between generations. The current generation (third generation, SK3) began in 2019.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | AM | 2008–2013 | Once in production, the Soul's interior plastics and a harsh ride became points of criticism, and both were upgraded during the first year of production. |
| Second generation | PS | 2013–2019 | Unveiled at the 2013 New York and Frankfurt auto shows, the second generation Soul is based on Kia's Track'ster concept, and offers an increase in torsional rigidity of 28.7%, wheelbase increased to 2,570 mm (101.2 in), width increased to 1,800 mm (70.9 in) and the same overall height of 1,600 mm (63.0 in). |
| Third generation | SK3 | 2019–present | Kia unveiled the third-generation Soul and second-generation Soul EV (e-Soul in some markets) at the 2018 LA Auto Show. |
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).
Year by year
The Kia Soul across 11 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Soul | 30–31 | $2,100–$2,150 | 2 | 12 | 4 stars | |
| 2024 Kia Soul | 30–31 | $2,000–$2,100 | 2 | 29 | 4 stars | |
| 2023 Kia Soul | 30–31 | $2,000–$2,100 | 2 | 4 | 49 | 4 stars |
| 2022 Kia Soul | 29–31 | $2,000–$2,150 | 3 | 1 | 88 | 4 stars |
| 2021 Kia Soul | 27–31 | $2,000–$2,300 | 4 | 2 | 228 | 4 stars |
| 2020 Kia Soul | 27–114 | $650–$2,300 | 5 | 1 | 372 | 4 stars |
| 2019 Kia Soul | 27–108 | $700–$2,300 | 5 | 1 | 135 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Kia Soul | 27–108 | $700–$2,300 | 5 | 1 | 213 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Kia Soul | 27–105 | $700–$2,300 | 5 | 1 | 270 | 5 stars |
| 2016 Kia Soul | 26–105 | $700–$2,400 | 5 | 2 | 810 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Kia Soul | 26–105 | $700–$2,400 | 5 | 4 | 902 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Kia Soul, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 to 2023 | 3 to 2 | 30.0 to 30.5 | Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7) | ||
| 2021 to 2022 | 4 to 3 | 29.0 to 30.0 | Transmissions: Manual 6-spd | ||
| 2020 to 2021 | 5 to 4 | 70.5 to 29.0 | Labels: Soul Electric; Engines: Electric motor / not listed; Transmissions: Automatic (A1); Fuels: Electricity | ||
| 2019 to 2020 | 67.5 to 70.5 | 111 to 243 | Labels: Soul Eco dynamics; Engines: 2L 4-cyl; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM7), Automatic (S6) | |
| 2017 to 2018 | 66.0 to 67.5 | 93 to 111 | |||
| 2016 to 2017 | 65.5 to 66.0 | Transmissions: Automatic (AM7) | Labels: Soul ECO dynamics |
Buying used
What the Kia Soul recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 | electrical system (instrument cluster/panel); power train (automatic transmission); air bags; 1 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2022 | 1 | engine and engine cooling | None |
| 2021 | 2 | engine; engine and engine cooling | None |
| 2020 | 1 | engine | None |
| 2019 | 1 | air bags | None |
| 2018 | 1 | air bags | None |
| 2017 | 1 | air bags | None |
| 2016 | 2 | steering; engine | None |
| 2015 | 4 | vehicle speed control (accelerator pedal); steering; engine | None |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2023, campaign 23V-531 (Jul 2023): power train (automatic transmission). An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 2,038 | 65% | 2015 (629) |
| unknown or other | 425 | 14% | 2016 (123) |
| power train | 306 | 10% | 2020 (89) |
| electrical system | 260 | 8% | 2015 (76) |
| engine and engine cooling | 256 | 8% | 2016 (106) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 232 | 7% | 2016 (83) |
Trim by trim
Every 2025 Kia Soul trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 2,888 | – | 30 | $21,885 |
| S | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 2,888 | – | 30 | $24,385 |
| GT-Line | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 2,998 | – | 30 | $25,485 |
| EX | FWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 2,987 | – | 30 | $26,185 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2025 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Kia Soul model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 2,888–2,998 | – | 14.3 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 2,888–2,998 | – | 14.3 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 2,888–2,998 | – | 14.3 |
| 2022 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 147–201 | 2,844–3,036 | – | 14.3 |
| 2021 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 147–201 | 2,844–3,036 | – | 14.3 |
| 2020 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 147–201 | 2,844–3,036 | – | 14.3 |
| 2019 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 130–201 | 2,942–3,232 | – | 14.2 |
| 2018 | 3 | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 130–201 | 2,942–3,232 | – | 14.2 |
| 2017 | 3 | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 130–201 | 2,942–3,232 | – | 14.2 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 130–164 | 2,784–2,837 | – | 14.2 |
| 2015 | 3 | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 130–164 | 2,784–2,837 | – | 14.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Kia Soul.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0W-20 | – | – | R-1234yf | CR2032 |
| 2024 | 0W-20 | – | – | R-1234yf | CR2032 |
| 2023 | 0W-20 | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2022 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2020 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2019 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2018 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2017 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2016 | 5W-20 | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2015 | 5W-20 | – | – | R-134a | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Kia Soul: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2023 Kia Soul : 4 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and powertrain.
- 2015 Kia Soul : 4 recalls on file, most commonly affecting engine and steering.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 12 | ||
| 2024 | 29 | ||
| 2023 | 4 | 49 | electrical system, powertrain, airbags, engine cooling |
| 2022 | 1 | 88 | engine cooling |
| 2021 | 2 | 228 | engine, engine cooling |
| 2020 | 1 | 372 | engine |
| 2019 | 1 | 135 | airbags |
| 2018 | 1 | 213 | airbags |
| 2017 | 1 | 270 | airbags |
| 2016 | 2 | 810 | engine, steering |
| 2015 | 4 | 902 | engine, steering, Vehicle Speed Control |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Kia Soul?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2023, 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Kia Soul model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2023 Kia Soul has 4 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, powertrain, airbags; The 2015 Kia Soul has 4 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting engine, steering, Vehicle Speed Control. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Kia Soul by model year?
2023: electrical system, powertrain, airbags, engine cooling. 2022: engine cooling. 2021: engine, engine cooling. 2020: engine. 2019: airbags. 2018: airbags.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Engine and cooling, Brakes, tires and steering, Buying, records and recalls, Climate and electrical, Transmission and drivetrain.
2023 Kia Soul owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Transmission and drivetrain and Buying, records and recalls and Engine and cooling.
2015 Kia Soul owners specifically: see Engine and cooling and Brakes, tires and steering.
Trim ladder
2 Kia Soul trims, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Kia Soul is most often compared with.
Nearest Kia models
Other Kia models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 Soul come in?
The 2025 Kia Soul (subcompact SUV) comes in 4 trims: LX, S, GT-Line, EX.
Q02What are the 2025 Soul trims?
The 2025 Kia Soul trims are LX, S, GT-Line, EX, listed from the entry LX up to the top EX.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 Soul use?
The 2025 Kia Soul is built around 2.0L four-cylinder, rated at 147 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 Soul have?
The 2025 Kia Soul is rated at 147 horsepower (2.0L four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 Soul?
The 2025 Kia Soul is offered with FWD.