Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Kia from 2008 to 2025. Often described and marketed as a crossover since its introduction, the Soul is a hatchback with a box proportion and tall roof, which are designed to maximize its interior space. Despite its SUV-like styling, the Soul was never available with all-wheel drive, instead it is exclusively a front-wheel drive vehicle.
The Soul first appeared in 2006 in the form of a concept model displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The production model made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2008. During its introduction, Kia stated that the Soul is aimed at the North American market, and targeted towards buyers in the 18 to 35-year old range.
The second-generation model was introduced in 2013 for the 2014 model year, which featured a larger exterior and interior dimensions along with a reworked chassis, while keeping its boxy styling. The Soul is currently in its third generation, which was introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year. Between 2014 and 2024, Kia also offered a battery electric variant as the Soul EV.
The name "Soul" comes from the homophone of Seoul, the city that hosts Kia's headquarters.
On October 6, 2025, Kia announced that production of the Soul will end later that month.
First generation (AM; 2008)
The first-generation Soul debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and is manufactured in South Korea. Designed at Kia's design center in California, the Soul concept was styled by Mike Torpey in early 2005 under the leadership of Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer. As a new member of Kia's Design Team in Irvine, California, Torpey was sent to Kia Korea to brainstorm a new vehicle. After seeing a television documentary on wild boars and learning of their importance in Korean culture, Torpey sketched a caricature of a boar wearing a backpack. The New York Times reported "the boar's attitude of strength and capability was the image wanted for a new model aimed at hip urban youths."According to the Automotive News, the Soul had been criticized for a "plasticky" interior and a harsh ride. Both the ride quality and interior were upgraded during the first year of production.
Features
The interior features two front bucket seats and a rear flat-folding bench seat that can adjust to prioritize passenger or cargo volume.The first generation was marketed with a six-speaker stereo system that includes a CD player, a USB port for iPod connection, and Sirius Satellite Radio. Additional features available for upgrade included additional speakers, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Bluetooth for hands-free connectivity.
Options included themed special editions as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, racing stripes, "dragon" and "houndstooth" graphics, and LED turn indicators.
For 2011, the Soul was updated with more conventional pull-out door handles, standard metallic interior trim, redesigned instrument cluster, leather shift boot, and switchblade style fold-in integrated key and remote, with an optional Smart Key available in the Exclaim trim.
For model year 2012, the Soul received revised exterior and interior styling and new powertrains. In North America the updated 1.6 liter engine, featuring direct injection, makes and ; the 2.0 liter engine makes and of torque. The 1.6 now delivers in the city and on the highway. The 2.0 returns in the city and on the highway. New features included navigation, UVO infotainment, leather and heated seats and automatic climate control.
As part of the 2012 upgrades, European models were fitted with new 1.6-liter GDI gasoline or 1.6 CRDi diesel engines, both of which can be specified with an automatic gearbox or a new six-speed manual gearbox, replacing the five-speed unit in the old version. As a result, the gasoline offers a increase in power compared to its predecessor, while returning improved fuel economy. The modified 1.6 CRDi diesel returns and has cut its CO2 emissions from 138 g/km to 129g/km – particularly important for the European market where taxation is based on carbon emissions.
The 2013 North American Soul received upgrades including 3 new colors, a bulged hood, revised grille with black chrome accents, LED red tail lights, LED amber front turn signals under the headlights and white LED running lights under the front turn signals. The exterior Kia badges became now smooth instead of raised lettering. Inside, audio controls were relocated to the steering wheel and Bluetooth became standard across the range. Upper trims included power folding heated mirrors with turn signal repeaters. The center display for sound system was previously red LED and was revised to include a full color range.
Special editions
Kia offered four Special Edition Soul in 2010: Denim, Ignition, Dragon, and Ghost as primarily visual upgrades.;Soul Denim
The Denim is a limited version of 2010 Soul+ for the US market. Appearing in June 2009, it features a blue body color with white racing stripes, white painted side-view mirrors, and white, 18-inch, lead wheels.
;Soul Ignition
The Kia Ignition Soul, in orange, is based on the Soul+ model with offset black striping and blacked-out 18-inch rims, an alloy gas cap, and a rear spoiler. Upgraded equipment according to AutoBlog: upgraded stereo, moon roof, keyless remote entry, tinted windows, cruise control, Bluetooth, and then some.
;Soul Dragon
The Shadow Dragon edition is based on the Soul trim line and was limited to about 1,900 units. Exterior details include shadow black paint with matte-black dragon graphics on its hood and tailgate, gloss-black bumper inserts, a body-color rear wing and 18 inch black alloy wheels. The interior features heated, black leather trimmed seats.
;Soul Ghost
Referred to as Ghost Soul by Car And Driver, the visual upgrades include gray-blue paint with a gray stripe running from the headlights to the C-pillar, unique 18-inch wheels, side-marker lights on the fender vents, and a new body kit with a rear spoiler. The special edition augments the Soul + trim with equipment usually only available on the pricier ! and Sport models with upgrades that include fog lights, a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated leather seats, and chrome interior trim. They also state it includes an audio upgrade comprising an amplifier, subwoofer, and pulsing lights around each speaker.
;The Soul White Tiger
The Soul White Tiger Special Edition was showcased at the 2010 SEMA and comes with features such as Clear White with Grey exterior graphics, body colored bumpers, sport rear spoiler, black 18-inch alloy wheels, black fender vents with side marker repeater, rear bumper applique, alloy fuel door, black leather seat trim, heated front seats, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, push button start with smart key, illuminated sill plates, automatic climate control and front fog lights. There were some differences between the concept car presented in 2010 and the final 2011 production version, though what these were, were only hinted at in the article on TheKEEA.com.
;Soul Flex
Kia presented the Soul Flex at the 2010 São Paulo International Auto Show. The Soul Flex is the first Korean flexible-fuel vehicle capable of running on any blend from E20-E25 gasoline to E100. The new Soul Flex delivers a 44% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the existing gasoline model, as well as superior power and torque.
Powertrain
The North American version of the Soul was initially available in 2010 and 2011 with one of two inline four-cylinder gasoline engines. The base model is powered by a 1.6-liter unit producing and mated exclusively with a five-speed manual transmission. Higher trims feature a 2.0-liter unit producing connected to a standard five-speed manual transmission with a four-speed automatic available as a stand-alone option. A 1.6-liter diesel engine producing and torque is offered in European models instead of the 2.0-liter gas, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.For the 2012 model, the Soul received two new transmissions and a new engine: 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions replaced the old choices, and the new 2.0-liter Nu engine replacing the old Beta engine; the 1.6-liter Gamma engine remained as the base model choice. The Gamma 1.6 gets a new dual variable valve timing, and in some countries, gets a direct injection fuel system.
| Model | Years | Transmission | Power@rpm | Torque@rpm | 0–100 km/h | Top Speed | Notes |
| 1.6 Gamma MPI | 2008–2011 | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | @ 6,300 rpm | @ 4,200 rpm | 11.0s | | |
| 1.6 Gamma MPI | 2008–2011 | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | @ 6,300 rpm | @ 4,200 rpm | n/a | n/a | North America |
| 1.6 Gamma MPI | 2012–2013 | 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic | @ 6,300 rpm | @ 4,850 rpm | 128 hp in North America | ||
| 1.6 Gamma GDi | 2012–2013 | 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic | @ 6,300 rpm | @ 4,850 rpm | 10.4s 10.9s | - | |
| 2.0 Beta II | 2008–2011 | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | @ 6,000 rpm | @ 4,600 rpm | - | ||
| 2.0 Nu MPI | 2012–2013 | 6-speed manual | @ 6,500 rpm | @ 4,800 rpm | - | ||
| 1.6 U CRDi | 2008–2011 | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic | @ 4,000 rpm | @ 1,900–2,750 rpm | 11.3s 11.9s | | - |
| 1.6 U2 CRDi | 2011–2013 | 6-speed manual 6-speed automatic | @ 4,000 rpm | @ 1,900–2,750 rpm | 10.7s 11.7s | | - |