2011 Kia Soul Review: Good Year For The Affordable and Reliable Compact SUV

Alex Showalter

Mar 16, 2022

The 2011 Soul lasts 250,000 miles with only minor electrical and brake issues. At $5,875 – 8,002, it’s a good bargain given the reliability and comfort.

The Good

A lot of passenger room, good technology for the price and a fun driving experience.

The Bad

The cabin is very noisy, cargo space is small and safety scores are lower than rivals.

Is the 2011 Kia Soul a Good Used SUV?

Yes, 2011 is a good year for the Soul. We have received a lot of positive owner reviews mentioning a roomy interior, it fits well in compact parking spots, and features easy-to-use technology.
Reliability ratings are great with no widespread issues and just some electrical complaints. We recommend models from 2010 and 2011, with a lot more mechanical problems showing up in 2012.
Two weak 4-cylinder engine options.
Fuel economy is great at up to 28 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

Megan D

The Kia soul is the best car with a great sound system and super comfortable.

My Kia soul has been my favorite car by far. I got it used and have no issues so far. Its runs great, and the sound system is the best. It drives smooth and I love that it is a small vehicle but has the ability for the passenger seats to get folded down for extra trunk space.

Carla I

The Kia soul is safe, reliable and fun.

The car is reliable, comfortable, compact to drive but spacious on the inside. It is so versatile and has a great sound system. The safety features of the car are of the most importance. After having a family member be in a terrible accident in a Kia soul where the car flipped and they walked away I will not drive another car!

Lisa D

It is a very reliable and comfortable vehicle.

I love the style and interior. It has really held up and I have only had to do maintenance repairs. I do not like that the dashboard it very hard to clean.

Patrick d

Much roomy inside that would appear from the outside

I like that it gets great gas mileage, has enough leg room for me and will last a really long time. Maintenance costs are really affordable. I don't really have any complaints, a little more trunk space would be good but that's about it

Jessie E

Review of Kia soul: benefits for the consumer.

The vehicle is very spacious and comfortable, especially for the taller people. The vehicle is reliable and runs great on gas. Features included sunroof, Bluetooth, tinted windows to keep the sun out, and colorful lights locate on speakers. Able to switch the lights to whatever color you would like. As well as being able to let the colors switch and flash with the sound of the beat.

Ricky L

11 Kia Soul is the perfect car.

For having this car for this long. I have not had as many problems as I thought I would. I even drove across the country. Twice. Routine maintenance is expected with any car. I did have to replace the ignition coil a couple of years ago but that still wasn't a big deal. At least for me.

Amy F

I love my Kia soul! It is been a great car. So happy I bought it!

I love this car! It is roomy, even in the back seat. My nephew who is 6'4' was amazed. The back seat lays down making for plenty of cargo space. It is been great for loading totes for craft shows. It is been reliable. Only had to do regular maintenance so far, like oil changes. I like the USB port and the phone port. Controls on the steering wheel are convenient. The only problem is it is a lighter vehicle so it does not do so well in the snow and ice. But I go slow and I am more cautious and I have had no problem.

Kimberly A

Great little everyday driver!

I do not have any problems with the vehicle except that there is a lot of road noise when being driven. I just turn up the radio to cover the noise. I gets great gas mileage and it is great for carrying the displays that I use for craft shows. The seats fold down flat and that creates a huge cargo area. It also has a great stereo system.

Negative Owner Reviews

Elizabeth W

Would not buy again. Too much work.

Have had constant issues with it. Always something to repair. Since I have purchased I have had to get new fuel tank, alternator, timing belts, spark plugs and wires, tires and much more. The check engine light always comes on at random times, when you read the code it goes away. There is no trunk room so getting groceries is a pain.

Alyssa W

Engine light problems and vehicle emissions issues.

Of late, constantly has a check engine light for a “vehicle emissions” I have had the valves cleaned and it keeps reoccurring. The gas will not fill efficiently so I have to hand pump at a very slow pace to get it fueled. And yes, I have gotten this check out and “fixed”.

Tia H

It has great gas mileage and only one recall since I got it.

It's too small for my needs and I like larger vehicles and its not 4wd in co it needs to be 4wd for the weather.

Alexis F

They made me pay 22 percent interest because it was my first car.

I bought my car when I was 20 years old because my dad told me it was a good deal. Little did I know I was going to end up having to do 22% gap interest so I am now paying more than what I bought my car for. I paid on it for a year and he told me he would pay the rest off but never did and my car got repoed.

Elizabeth E

Not many car companies make cars with a manual transmission anymore.

I love that my Kia saves fuel, it is small but can fit 5 people comfortably, I love the manual transmission. It was really dependable for the first 5 years and trusted it to drive it anywhere, but after the 5 years it started to broke down and had to get another motor, but it is not as dependable anymore. I do not trust it like I used too.

Joshua F

Great gas mileage and reliability.

Loud muffler, really good gas mileage. Compact and easy to handle, stands out from other vehicles being so small by comparison. I would say it's a good car for a small family, large families won't like my vehicle due to lack of trunk space. Easily handles my 3 person family and meets my economic needs as well.

Samuel R

2011 Kia soul great on gas, family car and nice to travel in.

Our 4 door grey Kia soul is an amazing and affordable and reliable family car. We have three kids whom all fit in the back comfortably (one of which includes a car seat. This Kia soul is amazing on gas. In town and on highway: only takes about $20.00 to fill the tank. Cheap to fix it if there are issues. Great sound system and the sun does not fill the car while driving which is nice.

Adam N

Great reliable car for anyone.

No problems ever with the vehicle. Runs great drives great. Had a few months and no issues. I drive to multiple jobs everyday and never had any problems. The backup cam works great for backing up. Very smooth ride overall. Would recommend. It is a reliable car.

What Do Critics Say About the Soul?

Consumer Reports finds the Soul to fit a lot of passenger room in its compact footprint and has above-average owner satisfaction ratings.
Edmunds rates the Soul 4.5/5 and likes the user-friendly technology, but doesn’t like the noisy interior.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Soul a 4.6/5 enjoying the affordable ownership costs, but find the performance lacking.

What Common Problems Does the 2011 Kia Soul Have?

There are relatively few problems on the 2011 Soul including the stability control system, vibrating while braking, and suspension issues.

Electronic stability control system faults are the most common problem showing up in the first 10,000 miles. There’s a recall for the stop lamp switch, which fixes the problem once it’s replaced for free.

Vibrations while braking are another complaint in the first 12,000 miles. Usually worn out pads and rotors cause more vibration. Replacing the pads costs about $200 and a new set of rotors is around $400.

Worn out control arms for the suspension is an issue at around 100,000 miles. The suspension components wear out over time and have to be replaced, costing about $600.

The 2011 Soul has 2 recalls including the stop lamp switch and headliner plate detaching. The most serious recall is for the stop lamp switch, which can prevent the brake lights from working.

How Long Will the 2011 Kia Soul Last?

A properly maintained 2011 Soul should be able to last around 250,000 miles, similar to other leading competitors like the Cube. Repair Pal finds the annual maintenance costs to be reasonable at $460 per year.

As a Soul reaches 100,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the fuel level sending unit for $675, brake booster costing $650, and tie rods which cost about $125.

Tara M

It is a very reliable car. I got in my senior year of high school and I haven't had any issues with it. The only time I have had to take it to a mechanic was after an accident.

Amanda E

We've had problems with the exhaust, but no problems other than that. It is a very reliable car for our family.

T R

Very reliable. I have had the car for a year and only had to put brakes on it. I drive 76 round trip to work every day.

Deana C

No my Kia has no problems and has about 149,980 miles on it. Good car as long as you keep up on the upkeep!

Susan B

It is reliable car and I haven't had any issues other than normal wear and tear. Had to replace a battery and that was pretty simple to do.

Owen H

It is very reliable and also reasonable to repair and easy to do a lot of the work myself example of changing the plugs.

Andrew M

Very reliable. This is really a great car. I feel safe driving it. I've honestly not had problems with it.

Cj C

Yes it is definitely reliable. Have only had to do routine maintenance on this vehicle. Runs smooth and efficiently

How Much Is the 2011 Kia Soul Worth?

Blue book prices range from $5,875 – 8,002 making the Soul more affordable than top competitors including the CR-V and Scion xB. When new, the price range was $13,300 to $18,495. Depreciation is similar to rivals, losing around 8% of its current value per.

What are the Different Models of the Soul?

The Kia Soul comes in four main models. Technology is good for the time since it was introduced for the 2010 model year, with a redesign coming in 2014.

Base is the entry-level model with:

15-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Power Windows And Locks
4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System with USB and 3.5mm AUX Jack

Soul + adds some good features including:

16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Cruise Control
Keyless Entry
6-Speaker Stereo With Bluetooth Connectivity

Soul ! is next in the lineup and adds:

18-Inch Alloy Wheels
Two-Tone Cloth Interior
Optional Leather Seats
Sunroof
Fog Lights

Sport is the flagship model adding:

Black And Red Interior
Sport Suspension
Metal Pedals
Unique Front Bumper

Base

122 HP 28 MPG

View Details

142 HP 26 MPG

View Details

142 HP 26 MPG

View Details

Sport

142 HP 26 MPG

View Details

Is the Kia Soul a Safe Car?

Safety ratings are good, getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests and earning a Top Safety Pick Award. Standard safety features include air bags, anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction control with no advanced safety features available

What Engines Come In the Soul?

There are two 4-cylinder engines available in the 2011 Soul. Performance is responsive in the Sport model, but is not fast. The largest most powerful engine still takes 8.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

The base engine is a weak 1.6L 4-cylinder with 122 horsepower.
The + and higher models come with a more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder which has 142 horsepower.

What Colors Does the Soul Come In?

How Big Is the Soul?

The Kia Soul is small for an SUV but similar in size to the Nissan Cube and Honda Element with great passenger room throughout the cabin and comfortable seats.

Cargo space is lacking compared to rivals, with only 19 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats increasing to 53 when the seats are folded flat.

How Does the Soul Compare to the Competition?

The highest-rated compact SUV with similar styling is the Scion xB costing $2,000 more. Where the Scion stands out is with better long-term reliability and performance, but the Soul has more technology. We recommend the Scion since it lasts longer, but both are good choices.

Another close competitor is the Nissan Cube, which is $1,000 cheaper. Cargo space is much better in the cube, but the Soul is more powerful and fun to drive. Overall, the Soul is a better long-term choice with fewer complaints.

Ranks #7 Compact SUV by Owners

2011 Land Rover LR4

4.67

Tie

2011 Scion xB

4.56

2011 Kia Soul

4.39

Do Owners Recommend the Kia Soul?

Tara M

Yes. It is still in good shape even being years old. I have had no problems with it. It is lasted well over the years and even my parents love driving it.

Amanda E

Yes it is safe and drives well in all kinds of weather, and affordable. I have recommended it to many friends.

T R

Yes I really like my Kia soul great gas mileage, loud road noise, rough ride very roomy for a small vehicle.

Deana C

Yes I love my car. Only thing is it is not awesome in the snow! Very roomy. Awesome steering! Very reliable. Amazing sound system!

Susan B

Very reliable, fun to drive car. The seats fold down which is an added bonus. It is also easy to work on, it is not as cramped as some other cars I have worked on.

Owen H

A very dependable basic vehicle and very good on gas as well as easy to drive even though it is a manual transmission.

Courtney C

Yes, I love this car! It drives well, especially in the rain and snow. In fact, when I replace this one I will most likely get another one.

Kourtney H

Yes! I have had my Kia since 2015 and have only had to do routine maintenance on it, despite driving it cross country twice and countless road trips

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Marilyn on October 15, 2022

Runs good for the miles it has

For the most part is running strong. It has a problem with hydroplaning on any little bit of water. I have a issue with my traction control light is always on. But over all for 152000 miles it's a nice car.

rayray on May 3, 2022

No big issues at 110,00

I have done the majority of scheduled maintenance and on time oil changes. There have been no major issues. Brakes and tires of course. I trust it enough to be safe and last for my sister's kids.

D.J. on November 3, 2023

2011 1.6L Kia Soul

It's old and beat up, but still runs great! Manual transmission takes full advantage of otherwise meager 1.6L.

Dee on May 4, 2023

Just hit 270,000 miles!

2011 Kia Soul ! Edition I love this car! Regular maintenance has kept her running strong!

Chrissy A on June 12, 2021

Great gas mileage, as I am on the go and on the highway.

My Kia soul has been a great reliable car. My job requires me to drive long hours and miles daily and I have not had one problem with it. Rides very smooth, great compact car, great on gas and sporty. I absolutely would recommend the Kia soul to a friend or family member! Great car.

Dolly V on May 31, 2021

Heated seats and sunroof are a great addition.

It is very spacious for a small vehicle. The seats are very comfortable and you sit high up so you can see clearly when you are driving. Good gas mileage and inexpensive to maintain. Kia soul is also a fun vehicle to drive. I am older and it is very easy to get in and out of.

Nessa T on May 26, 2021

Comfy and reliable, great purchase.

The Kia soul is surprisingly roomy. I am 5'3 so I fit no problem. My dad, however, is over 6' and he's still comfortable riding in it. Not to mention I have moved twice since I bought it, and it holds a lot more than one would guess. I get amazing gas mileage and have only really had one incident where I had to have a major repair (about $800). Having had it for 8 years now, I'd say that is pretty good!

Joseph M on May 8, 2021

General summary of a kia soul.

The perfect car for road trips, great sound quality when listening to music. I bought my car used. Didn't really have any problems until around 175,000 miles. And the typical problems of a new belt and then some wheel bearings and of course the usual brakes and tires. Overall love my car. Even upgraded the sound system. Though it was a little difficult but it is not hard to do with patience.

Alexandra M on May 7, 2021

Above average sized small car.

Kia soul is very spacious, it has never given me any issues. I only had to have routine upkeeps, spark plugs, brakes etc to do. It does not however transport heavy loads so do not plan on hauling bags of mulch soil etc in it. I would consider it light travel. It is however suitable for a family and provides a comfortable ride.

Laura P on April 30, 2021

The interior is red and black.

Great car. Very reliable. Fun for the kids. My interior is unlike any of the other souls. It is red and black inside. The speakers light up and beat to the music. Has a good sound system. Overall, a good car. The gas mileage isn't the greatest, but it drives great.

Rebecca A on April 29, 2021

Very reliable, no issues in 5 years.

My Kia soul has been very reliable. I have had it for 5 years. Other than brakes and tires nothing has been changed. It is very roomy inside for passenger seating. The trunk opening is narrow. The trunk does not have as much space as I thought it would. But it has worked for moving things and fits kids bike and scooters. It has enough space for weekly grocery shopping.

Sonya L on April 28, 2021

Kia soul with soul! Awesome stereo!

It is small and compact, but, extremely roomie. It has a large back seat and a large storage area. The driver seat is large as well. All in all very happy with my choice. Oh, great gas mileage. It is a quiet driving car. It has airbags all around. I also have the little fin on top so it looks sharp. You actually insert a key so you don't lose them like with the push starts. Nice stereo system.

Carla H on April 28, 2021

Buying a Kia soul makes sense.

This vehicle rides and handles the road very well and has lots of room inside. Great on gas and mileage. Easy to clean and maintain. I have two young children and they are comfortable in this vehicle and I feel safe transporting them in my Kia. Thoroughly enjoy my vehicle.

Rachel Y on April 27, 2021

Cute car and very affordable.

My car is zippy and good for around town. It does not do well on the highway in my opinion. It is a fun car with great a/c and digital extras. It was very affordable and I have few maintenance issues so far. It has a hatchback and the seats in the back fold down which is convenient.

Pebble P on April 26, 2021

Kia soul is the way to go.

It is very roomy. It is very comfortable and drives well. It has been very reliable. As long as I keep up with routine maintenance it runs incredibly smooth and I have had no major issues with his vehicle. It is currently at 159000 miles and I still love it!

Jonathan N on April 26, 2021

My 2011 pre owned Kia soul.

Great vehicle but rough in rain. It seems to hydroplane very easy and it is rough when it does. Still a great vehicle that will last you and is very safe. It might be a little cramped but it gets the job done. The value on the car is not terrible but for what it is it should be a little lower in my opinion.

De S on April 20, 2021

Great car overall for someone that travels a lot very few small problems.

There are very little issues with the care if anything it is storage space with the back seats up, otherwise makes great gas mileage handles all weather perfectly, does well on ruff uneven dirt roads. Seating is nice decent amount of room for passengers, needs more cup holders and the cup holder by the center console needs to be adjusted.

Kathy S on April 14, 2021

My very reliable Kia soul.

I have had very few problems with my 2011 Kia soul. It has been a very reliable mode of transportation for work as well as for trips. It is a very comfortable ride and easily seats up to 5 passengers. It also has ample room for groceries and the like.

Dana W on April 14, 2021

2011 Kia soul sport -- great buy.

My husband and I purchased our 2011 Kia soul sport used during November 2019. The leather interior, heated seats, and Bluetooth capable radio was definitely an upgrade from the 2002 Kia Rio we were driving previously. The car is reliable, as was the Kia before it; I feel a certain brand loyalty to them at this point. The car has had no issues outside of general maintenance since purchasing. That being said, part of my filtering during our car search was researching part prices. Kia, as always, is an affordable fix compared to many other car brands. My one complaint about the vehicle is that not all radio controls (such as skip track) work for devices that are Bluetooth synced.

Karlyn W on April 8, 2021

The toaster on wheels is surprisingly spacious!

The car is great and surprisingly roomy, even for backseat passengers. The only issue I consistently have is that the interiors trim pieces, such as the dashboard and door panels scratch easily, especially with pet use. As well, the carpets beneath the removable rugs is hard to vacuum due to the texture—small things like pine needles and debris tend to be left behind even after vigorous scrubbing. Overall, a great vehicle!

Erik P on April 1, 2021

It's the perfect size for one person or a family and offers enough versatility where you can use it for everyday tasks.

It's a great vehicle for local outings around town. It has enough space to haul the things that I need. Stereo system is impressive and includes Bluetooth technology.

Andrea W on March 30, 2021

5 speed with excellent pick up and go!

I love my Kia! It is a 5 speed and gets (on average) 35 mpg. I drove it to go with a uhaul attached once. It is strong! I love the fold down back seat to make room. The car is fun and easy to drive. My next car will be another Kia soul. I hope that they still have a 5 speed option when I get ready to buy again!

Bradley M on March 28, 2021

Kia Soul’s excellent build, but poor gas mileage.

The Kia Soul is an extremely dependable, affordable and withstands the test of time. The car is very well built, but may hurt you on gas mileage. Highway driving is excellent, at about 29 miles to the gallon, but when it comes to side roads or driving through neighborhoods, you'll be lucky if you get 22 miles to the gallon.

Sally H on March 27, 2021

All the reasons I love my Kia.

Like that the seats lay down flat for storage. It has been a very reliable car. The Kia has great gas mileage. Not to big. I love the look love the eco feature and also the floor pulls up in Trunk for storage. It is cute and reliable. I have had for seven years and it is ten years old and no major problems.

Libby W on March 27, 2021

The soul is always a reliable ride.

I love the feeling of driving my soul and it is incredibly reliable. It is not as powerful as other vehicles I have driven but it gets the job done and it has led me to purchase a total of two for my family. I have had some issues with the trim fading and chipping but it was easy to order new borders and replace them on my own.

Marci R on March 26, 2021

Features, space, smooth ride.

Smooth ride, comfortable seating, good leg room, smaller trunk space but seats fold down. Lots of 'storage space', eco mode to save gas, Bluetooth capable, there is 'under trunk' storage space, door cup holders and center cup holder, adjustable seatbelts, adjustable front seats.

Jessica B on March 24, 2021

The comfortable hamster car.

My car is very good on gas. It is also reliable. When other people ride in my car, they say it is very comfortable. It reminds me of the hamster commercial.

Deasia N on March 19, 2021

Kia soul review. I have a 2011 Kia soul and it's good.

It was a used car. When I pump gas I have to leave the car running because if I turn it off I will be stuck at the gas station for 30 minutes. I thought it was the battery but it's not the battery other than that problem it's a really good car and it takes less than 20 dollars to fill up.

Jeneva S on March 18, 2021

My Kia soul is just the right size.

I have owned my Kia soul for over five years. My car has had no major problems in all that time. The car is just the right size for me, not too big or too small. I enjoy driving the car, and it has a unique look that makes it stand out among similar sized cars.

Quincy L on March 18, 2021

Great gas mileage. This car is perfect for a long commute.

The Kia Soul has great gas usage. For a small compact car, it does not feel small on the inside a all, it is really spacious! I would highly recommend the car for anyone wanting something bigger than your standard small car, but is cute and has great gas mileage. Great commuter car!

Jim S on March 17, 2021

Overgrown golf cart--in a good way!

I have had some on-and-off electrical problems but otherwise mechanically it is been great. It is over 100k miles so I am sure things will start to go. It is comfortable enough for me, but no bells and whistles. Sometime it feels like driving an overgrown golf cart but in a good way.

Brandi M on March 15, 2021

The Kia soul has a lot of legroom and has a big trunk to put big things in it.

I enjoy the gas mileage and the speakers that came with it. Being a tall person as well, it has a lot of legroom and I do not hit my head on the ceiling. The trunk is very spacious and can put a lot of things in it. Having a Bluetooth speaker is a great thing to have in my car when I have to drive to different cities that could be hours away.

Mona L on March 13, 2021

Fun, versatile and affordable: Kia soul is a great car for the money.

This has been the most versatile and reliable car I have ever owned. With good maintenance it is still going strong after 9 years. I have used it to move 4 times. I have hauled a queen sized bed frame, an elliptical, and my son put an engine for his car in there. It is the best little car out there in my opinion.

Layla H on March 13, 2021

I love the gas mileage, but I hate that most 18 wheeler trucks don't see us, and we have almost been hit by them at least 6 times in the 4 or so years we've had our current car because it's so small. I also wish it had better air conditioning.

It may look small but it has a surprising amount of legroom.

Donna P on March 12, 2021

Kia Soul flaws, pluses and thoughts on driving it.

My radio went out, no radio, CD, mp3, or Bluetooth. Very expensive to repair. Dealer want 100. 00 to investigate the problem. The car does not have good cup holders, too small. I like the car well enough except for those things. The air and heat are good, easy to drive and economical.

Kristen C on March 12, 2021

Pros and cons of Kia souls.

Easy to drive. Comfortable space between people. Big trunk, good gas mileage, sunroof, easy to put car seats for children. A/c breaks on and off, electrical problems, engine issues, locks stopped working with in the car. Key broke very easily and had to be replace twice.

Christian R on March 10, 2021

My perfect vehicle with exact features that look for in a car.

I love my Kia soul, although it is more on the compact car size, there is still plenty of sitting room, however not enough cargo space. I love the upgraded features; sun roof, lights on speakers, etc. But my favorite is the eco feature. I love knowing that I am able to turn this feature on and save fuel while driving. I use this car every day on my commute to work, which is straight highway drive, and having the ability to be smart about my gas mileage is amazing.

Nellie A on March 7, 2021

It runs well and performs well. It sits up making it easy to see.

The back posts are too wide which causes blind spots. The seats can be uncomfortable if you have to drive very far. I like the way the seats sit up high, making it easy to see out. It runs well and so far we have not had any issues.

Elle M on March 7, 2021

Kia soul: reliability and comfort prioritized.

My only problem with my vehicle is aesthetics. I do not like the square design from the exterior, however it is very roomie on the interior. The paint has scratched easily and certain parts of the vehicle such as the fender dent easily. It has been very reliable and I get good gas mileage.

Siobhan S on March 5, 2021

The shape of the car makes it compact but it is surprisingly roomy

Love the shape and drive of the car. Radio is great. Love the handling. I drive the manual and it is one of the funniest cars I've driven.

Kara K on March 3, 2021

It's much bigger on the inside than it looks! It's very comfortable and a relatively smooth ride, considering its price point and size.

I love how much space there is in my Kia Soul. Many people are surprised at how large it is inside. This is very helpful when driving for Uber and Lyft. Also very spacious with the seats down. I can fit a lot more as we are in process of moving than my wife can in her Chevy Trax. It's also very useful that the seats go down in 2 parts, one smaller than the other. I was able to fit 2 riders and a lot of luggage once, so being able to put down the large part was helpful, while still leaving the smaller portion up for a passenger. The only thing I don't like about it is the way it handles in snow and ice. I would say my Chevy Cavalier handled much better in snow and ice, even several inches of snow, than the Soul. My wife would like it and even buy one for herself if it had lumbar support. I prefer the straight seat all the way up because I am short (5-1) and those curved seats are designed for people at least 5-5, if not taller. It gets great mileage.

Robert B on March 3, 2021

It is roomy and easy to drive.

It is easy to drive. It has a lot of room. It gets good gas mileage.

Rachele G on March 2, 2021

Kia soul: cute and unproblematic.

I bought my car used in 2015, and haven't had any problems. I take care of basic maintenance, but no major problems. It is pretty good on gas, it is cute, and it has been so good to me. I also love the several speakers throughout the car, the adjustable sound preferences, and the Bluetooth. It rides pretty smooth as well. One of the smartest purchases I ever made.

Emma-lee P on February 28, 2021

My 2011 Kia Soul is a manual.

I absolutely love my car! It is been the best little Kia I have ever had. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a compact yet full car. I drive a manual and it is the best thing that Kia decides to make the Kia Souls one. Best car ever hands down.

Erin F on February 27, 2021

The space is great. The music and audio system is nice and the interior is very crisp, it has also not had any issues, knock on wood, to date. No, complaints other than parts are more expensive and harder to locate.

IT IS A GOOD QUALITY CAR AFTER ALL. You are not being ripped off.

Josh S on February 20, 2021

Review of all black 2011 Kia soul, manual transmission.

The Kia soul has a decent amount of cargo space along with legroom and headroom due to the body shape of the car. The manual transmission is easy to operate and throughout the life of the car has only needed minimal repairs including a clutch disc and axle repairs. The black interior of the car does however get very hot in the summer without tinted windows. The gear shifter works well but feels plasticy and somewhat cheap, which is not a big deal being that the car is rather inexpensive and it does not affect reliability. It has a good turning radius and is easy to maneuver. Gas mileage is decent, around 25-30 mpg.

Jennifer B on February 17, 2021

The Kia Soul is a Small car that sits like a larger SUV.

I love my Kia Soul. It has been a great car for the last 6 years. I haven't had any problems with it. The customer service I've experienced when purchasing was excellent And I would not hesitate to purchase another Kia in the future.

Lindsay S on February 16, 2021

Great car overall! I would definitely recommend to everyone! Go buy one today!

Very reliable!! I love driving it everywhere! Great on gas! It's small but very roomy! I once fit 7 people in is so that's great! When on long car trips we always take my car and it saves so much money! I would recommend a Kia Soul to everyone I know! So if you want a reliable car buy a Kia Soul!

Gretchen I on February 16, 2021

This car has amazing gas mileage!!

There is a loudish squeaking noise that comes from somewhere under the hood. Other than that the car is perfect no other issues. The car drives well, has comfortable seats, great stereo and sound (as well as Bluetooth capabilities) and has absolutely amazing gas mileage.

Britt S on February 13, 2021

It is a great car for a new driver and wonderful on gas!

I think it makes a great "starter" car. It doesn't really work as a family car. The space available doesn't work. Overall,It's a great car and wonderful on gas!

Nathaniel A on February 10, 2021

Kia soul, reliable but cheaply built.

The Kia soul is a reliable vehicle and very gas efficient. Good commuter car. The downside is the vehicle is cheaply built and sustains damage inside and out very easily. Dings and scratches and broken interior parts are part of the experience of being a Kia owner.

Brenda T on February 6, 2021

If u don't have good tires in the front it's not good in snow

It rides very smooth,great on gas. Lots if leg room in the back. I'm short so it's kinda hard to turn and see really good out of back window. Other then that love it

Kevin S on February 6, 2021

Kia Soul.. An economical workhorse.

My Soul has been a workhorse. I have hauled furniture and building supplies as well as kids and sports equipment in it. The car is comfortable as long as you are not over 6 feet tall. With over a hundred thousand miles my Kia Soul has become one of the most economical cars I have ever owned.

Salim K on February 4, 2021

Kia soul car review. Minnesota version.

The Kia soul has great gas mileage, as well as I'drives very well. Small and compact care which is not the best in snow/ice. The cars speakers work very well. I have drove it across the country many times and there is limited to no damages/issues with the Kia soul.

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.