2022 Kia Soul

Kia (opens in a new tab) says the 2022 Soul arrives largely as a carryover with minor visual enhancements, the most obvious a new Kia badge on the hood and liftgate, with a standard 10.25-inch display with navigation, dual automatic climate control, push-button start and a wireless phone charger on the S, X-Line and GT-Line, an LX Technology Package, and an eight-inch screen on the LX. MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) adds that the Soul loses its manual transmission and the formerly optional CVT becomes standard.

Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) lists a standard 147-hp four-cylinder, an optional 201-hp turbo four, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the board. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) lists ratings of 27/32 to 28/33 mpg and used prices from $14,750 for the LX to $17,000 for the Turbo at a dealer.

NHTSA lists one recall campaign for the 2022 Soul. 25V099000, from February 2025, covers piston oil rings on 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles that may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.

Owners have filed 88 complaints: engine with 51, engine cooling with 19, unknown or other and power train with 12 each, electrical system with 10 and fuel and propulsion with 7. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) notes three fatality reports and one fire-related complaint on the engine, and CarFactBase (opens in a new tab) lists the filings.

EPA rates the 2022 Soul at 29 to 31 mpg combined and $2,000 to $2,150 a year in fuel. The Nissan Kicks lists 33 at $1,900, the Toyota Corolla Cross 30 to 32 at $1,950 to $2,100, the Hyundai Venue 31 at $2,000, and the Chevrolet Trax 26 to 27 at $2,300 to $2,400. The Soul beats the Trax and trails the Kicks.