Kia · 2008–2025

Kia Heart

The Kia Soul (Korean: 기아 쏘울) 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. In a period when small, boxy cars would come to populate the compact U.S. market, prominently the Scion xB (2004-2015), Honda Element (2003–2011) and Nissan Cube (2009–2014), Kia presented the Kia Soul Concept in 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and presented the production model at the 2008 Paris Motor Show — aiming for the North American market and targeting buyers in the 18-35 year-old range. The second-generation model was introduced in 2013 for the 2014 model year, with slightly larger exterior and interior dimensions and a reworked chassis, while retaining its boxy styling. In 2018, Kia introduced the third-generation Soul for model year 2019. Between 2014 and 2024, Kia also offered a battery electric variant as the Soul EV. The nameplate Soul doubles as a homophone of Seoul, the city that hosts Kia's headquarters.

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Predecessor: Kia Joice · Successor: Kia Venga

All Kia Heart data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Conception

Designed at the Kia Design Center in California, the Soul concept was styled by Michael Torpey (1972-2020) in early 2005, working with Kia's U.S. Design Chief, Thomas Kearns, under the leadership of Kia's global Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. Having previously worked with General Motors and as a new member of Kia's design team in Irvine, California, Torpey was sent to Kia's Namyang Design Center in Korea to help brainstorm a new vehicle. After watching a documentary on Korean wildlife, Torpey saw that the wild boar embodied a set of qualities that could inspire the design of a small, boxy car, and drew numerous sketches of a boar with outdoor gear, including a backpack — leading to his design for the 2006 Kia Soul Concept with a tough, compact stance. The New York Times reported, "the boar's attitude of strength and capability was the image [Torpey] wanted for a new model aimed at hip urban youth." United States design patent drawings were filed in 2004, attributing the design to Yongpil Jang.

First generation (AM; 2008)

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. Equipment. The interior featured two front bucket seats and a rear flat-folding bench seat, the latter adjustable to prioritize passenger or cargo volume. Standard equipment included a stereo audio system with six-speakers, CD player, USB port, and Sirius Satellite Radio. Optional audio equipment included additional speakers, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Bluetooth 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 138 hp (103 kW) and 123 lb⋅ft (167 N⋅m); the 2.0 liter engine makes 164 hp (122 kW) and 148 lb⋅ft (201 N⋅m) of torque. The 1.6 now delivers 9.4–9.0 L/100 km; 30–31 mpg‑imp (25–26 mpg‑US) in the city and 7.8–7.6 L/100 km; 36–37 mpg‑imp (30–31 mpg‑US) on the highway. The 2.0 returns 10.2–9.8 L/100 km; 28–29 mpg‑imp (23–24 mpg‑US) in the city and 8.4–8.1 L/100 km; 34–35 mpg‑imp (28–29 mpg‑US) 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-li

Second generation (PS; 2013)

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). The redesign features a wraparound greenhouse, high-mounted taillights, a large trapezoidal lower air intake, and a "floating" body color panel set into the liftgate. The second-generation Kia Soul shares its platform with the second generation Kia cee'd hatchback. 66 percent of the chassis utilizes either Ultra High Strength Steel (35 percent) or High Strength Steel (31 percent). The front subframe uses four bushings (the first generation has none) and the shock absorbers on the rear torsion beam axle are now mounted vertically allowing for more suspension travel. The U.S. model went on sale as a 2014 model year vehicle, and early models included a choice of 1.6-liter Gamma GDi or 2.0-liter Nu GDi engines, mated to 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. Trim levels included base, + (Plus), and ! (Exclaim) models. The European model was set to go on sale in early 2014, with a UK launch in Spring 2014. Early models include a choice of 1.6-liter GDi gasoline or CRDi diesel engines (from the previous generation Kia Soul), six-speed manual or automatic transmission, three different roof colors (black, white, and red), and a choice of 11 body colors. Korean market models received the same two engines, with the 2.0-liter gasoline engine currently reserved for North American buyers. Kia Track'ster concept (2012). The Kia Track'ster concept is a 3-door concept subcompact crossover hatchback, which presaged the second-generation Soul. The vehicle was unveiled at t

Third generation (SK3; 2019)

Kia unveiled the third-generation Soul and second-generation Soul EV (e-Soul in some markets) at the 2018 LA Auto Show. Unlike earlier models, it has thin lights as headlights, with the large grille remaining. An X-Line trim became optional. Initial models in the US include two engine options, a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine or a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine. It will be both a gasoline model and an electric vehicle, with a strengthened chassis for crash safety. The Soul now shares a platform with the Hyundai Kona. The third-generation Soul and Soul EV were slated for release in North America in the second quarter of 2019. In the US, Kia postponed the launch of the second-generation Soul EV to 2021. The Soul EV is the only version of the third-generation model sold in Europe. It is now called e-Soul in most European markets, except for the UK. In South Korea, this generation was distinguished with the name "Soul Booster," and was available either as an EV or with a gasoline engine. The third generation Soul shares a 64-kWh battery pack and powertrain with the Niro. In 2021, Kia discontinued the Soul in South Korea, due to poor sales and competition from the similarly sized Seltos. In the same year, the Soul featured the new Kia logo. The 6-speed manual was discontinued in the United States for the 2022 model year. Previously, it was only offered on the base LX model. Also in the same year, the only exterior change was to the rear wiper. Facelift (2023). For the 2023 model year, Kia updated the Soul, giving it revised headlights, taillights, front bumper, and rear fascia, along with new two-tone color combinations and new wheel designs. Along with the facelift, Kia discontinued the rugged-looking X-Line trim. Additionally, the turbo version was discontinued in th

Discontinuation

On 6 October 2025, Kia announced the demise of the Soul, and production in Korea later ended that month of the same year. It marked the end of an era for Kia’s long-running boxy subcompact crossover hatchback after 17 years of production since 2008, as they focus on larger crossovers and SUVs, including the Seltos, which serves as Kia’s entry-level crossover but at a higher price, for global markets.

Sales

Since 2015, Kia has produced over a million units of the Soul. In the United States, over 100,000 units have been sold each year from 2011 to 2018, becoming the best-selling subcompact car ahead of the Nissan Versa.

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