2026 Kia Soul Reviews & Price

The 2026 Kia Soul may get laughed at online, but it remains a practical and stylish choice. Its unique boxy design gives it a fun personality while maximizing space. Despite its small footprint, it offers a roomy cabin with enough space for four adults and their cargo. This makes it an excellent option for city driving and daily commutes.

Every Soul comes with a 147-hp four-cylinder engine, paired with a smooth CVT. It features front-wheel drive, with no option for all-wheel drive. However, it’s more affordable than AWD rivals like the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Kia Seltos. For winter driving, a good set of snow tyres can provide extra grip.

Kia enhances the Soul’s value with a generous list of standard features. Driver-assistance technology, modern infotainment, and various styling upgrades make it even more appealing. Personalization options let buyers add their touch. Affordable, spacious, and packed with features, the 2026 Kia Soul is a smart urban companion.

What’s New for 2026?

Kia has introduced the Soulmate Edition as the highest trim for 2026. It is based on the EX model and comes with premium upgrades. A Harman/Kardon sound system provides enhanced audio quality. 

The exterior features unique 18-inch aluminium wheels and a two-tone paint design. Inside, it gets Umber-colored vinyl-and-cloth upholstery for a refined look. Other than this new edition, the rest of the lineup remains unchanged.

2026 Kia Soul Price

The Kia Soul 2026 starts at $21,665, with prices reaching up to $26,965 depending on the trim and selected options.

2026 Kia Soul Release Date

Kia has not officially confirmed the release date for the Kia Soul 2026, but it is expected to arrive in mid to late 2024 based on industry trends.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Kia Soul 2026 is powered by a 147-hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. It comes paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. While it doesn’t offer sharp handling or sports car-like agility, the Soul is not built for aggressive driving. 

Its focus is on comfort and practicality. Most drivers will find it delivers a smooth, enjoyable ride, with just enough personality to make it feel engaging without being overly exciting. Whether you’re commuting or running errands, the Soul provides a well-rounded driving experience.

0-60-MPH Times

In our testing, the Kia Soul 2026 took 8.0 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is slower than some competitors. However, the Soul feels lively in city driving, and the CVT quickly shifts to lower gears when you need extra power to pass others.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Kia Soul 2026 offers impressive fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of up to 35 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. This is quite good for a boxy vehicle that doesn’t prioritize aerodynamics. When compared to rivals, the Chevrolet Trax and Hyundai Venue deliver similar highway mileage, but both surpass the Soul in city driving, achieving 28 and 30 mpg, respectively. 

Despite this, the Soul holds its own with real-world performance. In our 75-mph fuel economy test, it managed to achieve 30 mpg, making it a solid choice for drivers looking for efficiency in daily use.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Kia Soul 2026 offers a roomy interior upright design, providing plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. Inside, Kia has added a fun, youthful touch to match the exterior, with textured door panels and colourful accents. 

The Soul also comes with several comfort features, including ambient lighting, a smartphone charging pad, a head-up display, keyless entry with push-button ignition, and heated seats and steering wheel.

Customization options are abundant, with two-tone paint choices and a variety of interior colour schemes. When it comes to cargo space, the Soul’s tall roof provides ample room, fitting seven carry-on suitcases with the rear seats up. 

With the rear seats folded, though they don’t fold completely flat, we were able to fit 20 suitcases. In comparison, the Hyundai Venue offers less cargo room, with space for only four suitcases behind the rear seats and 17 when the seats are folded down.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2026 Kia Soul is equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. For most models, except the base LX, you’ll find a larger 10.3-inch display, offering enhanced visibility and functionality. The LX trim comes with a smaller 8.0-inch screen but still includes the essential features.

If you choose a model with a 10.3-inch display, you’ll get additional perks like a SiriusXM satellite radio, real-time traffic updates, in-dash navigation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad for added convenience. 

Most trims are equipped with a six-speaker stereo, but if you’re looking for an upgraded sound experience, the GT-Line model offers an optional Harman/Kardon audio system. This allows for a more immersive and high-quality listening experience on the go.

2026 Kia Soul Specs

Brand	Kia
Model	2025
Body Type	Subcompact crossover SUV
Doors	4-doors
Seating Capacity	5-passengers
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Engine Type	2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
Power	147 horsepower
Torque	132 lb-ft of torque
Transmission Type	continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Drive Type	front-wheel drive (FWD)
0 to 60 MPH Time	8.0 seconds
Top Speed	120 miles per hour
Range (full tank)	Up to 425 miles
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gallon
MPG Ratings(City / Hwy / Combined)	28 / 33 / 30 miles
Warranty	10-year/100,000-mile warranty

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Kia Soul offers standard driver-assistance features, especially on higher trims like the S model and above. For full crash test results, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety websites.

Key safety features include:

• Forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking
• Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available blind-spot monitoring and automatic high-beam headlamps

Kia backs the Soul with a strong warranty:

• Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles

However, it does not offer complimentary scheduled maintenance like some competitors, such as Hyundai, which provides the same coverage plus three years of included maintenance.

FAQs

What is the price of the 2026 Kia Soul?
The Kia Soul 2026 starts at $21,665, with prices reaching up to $26,965 depending on the trim and selected options.

How fast is the 2026 Kia Soul from 0 to 60 mph?
The Kia Soul 2026 takes 8.0 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, which is slower than some competitors, but it performs well in city driving.

What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Kia Soul?
The Kia Soul 2026 offers up to 35 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city, making it an efficient option for daily use.

What is the cargo capacity of the 2026 Kia Soul?
The Kia Soul 2026 provides ample cargo space, fitting seven carry-on suitcases with the rear seats up and up to 20 when the rear seats are folded down.

Conclusion

The 2026 Kia Soul remains an excellent choice for city dwellers who need a compact, efficient, and versatile vehicle. With a fresh Soulmate Edition offering premium upgrades, the Soul continues to impress with its spacious interior, modern features, and solid performance. 

While it lacks all-wheel drive, it excels in fuel efficiency and comfort, making it an ideal urban companion. The vehicle’s customizable options, impressive safety features, and affordable pricing ensure that it stands out in the subcompact crossover market. Whether you’re looking for an economical daily driver or a stylish, practical ride, the Kia Soul delivers both.