2012 Kia Soul Review: Unreliable Compact SUV With New Troublesome Engines

Alex Showalter
Apr 1, 2022

The 2012 Soul lasts around 200,000 miles, but there are steering and engine problems. At $7,082 – 9,210, it’s not worth the money when there are expensive parts that fail.

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likeFilled The Good
Passenger room is good in the backseats, infotainment technology is easy to use and the unique styling appeals to some buyers.
dislikeFilled The Bad
Cargo room is smaller than competitors, the cabin has a lot of road noise and rear visibility is bad.

Is the 2012 Kia Soul a Good Used SUV?

  • No, 2012 is a bad year. Owners have complained about limited space, a cheap interior, and rough suspension.
  • Reliability ratings are below average. There are four times the number of complaints in 2012 compared to 2011, with mechanical improvements for 2016 and newer.
  • Performance is weak from both 4-cylinder engines.
  • The Soul is a safe vehicle getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award.
  • Fuel economy is very good at up to 27 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Jillian G
Super comfortable fun to drive. Quick and flashy and Sporty
It's fun and cute and colorful. Fun to drive and quick
accountCircle Gabriela R
This a very reliable and cute car.
The Kia soul is a very comfortable family car. Ideal for commuting, road trips, college students and families alike. Does not use too much gas and even though it looks small, it is actually very spacious. Very reliable and great performance. I have used this car for anything from going on trips, to moving to different cities. It is a spacious, comfortable car and very cute.
accountCircle Hanna H
Plenty of space in a compact exterior.
I love that my car fits into 'small car' spaces, but feels like a big car on the inside! I am on the shorter side, and I love being able to see over the entire hood. It is extremely easy to get in and out of. I have had no performance issues, and get regular oil changes.
accountCircle Cynthia D
Kia soul 2012 used had for over 5 years.
I have had no problems at all with my car since I bought it. Other than maintenance and upkeep normal things. Like new battery replace brake pads oil change. It's been awesome car. Only complaint is the CD player stop working after a year and the air sometimes does not blow out unless you tap on it.
accountCircle Sharon S
It's affordable and yet fashionable.it is great for a family or just for a couple, all around vehicle
I love the room it has for being a small vehicle and it handles great in the snow
accountCircle Toni L
The vehicle gets great gas mileage.
I drive a standard vehicle and it gets excellent gas mileage and has never had any issues. The only complaint I have is that the USB port has never worked. I bought the car brand new and plan to drive it as my main vehicle so long as it lasts. The air conditioning is still in great condition as is the heat. It has never overheated or not started up. It is surprisingly spacious and has plenary of room for a family of four.
accountCircle Marissa N
The safety since I was in a bad car accident.
The jerking it does is ridiculous and Kia will not do anything. Other than that it is a perfect. It got me across country without any issues.
accountCircle Avis S
Black color. It looks good. I keep it nice and clean and it has, a good shine.
Very reliable, starts slow driving up into the Rocky Mountains then levels up. Comfortable driving middle of country to west coast. Comfortable riding. Did well drive through the Canyon. Drive well in rain, not a car for speeding. Bought new came with good tires. Good balance can seat 5 comfortably 2 in front and 3 in the back. Drives well in snow gets good traction.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Caitlin G
Too many issue, inside features are good.
Really comfortable lots of issues. Prefer a newer model. Really reliable, love the Bluetooth features. Once one thing goes wrong on the car multiple issue arise. Performance if the car is good condition and no issue is really well, was very pleased with performance.
accountCircle Savannah G
My little box car is made for smaller families.
My cars space is very limited, when having 2 kids and 2 car seats I do not have room for anything. I can barely fit groceries in the car. My car also has guzzles, the highest mileage I get is about 20 mpg. I would most definitely want to upgrade to an SUV so I can move around easier.
accountCircle Deborah C
It is good on gas mileage.
I do not like the tires, interior is cheap, do not like the rims. Keys are cheaply made. Burns oil, can turn over easily. Good on gas mileage.
accountCircle Mary W
Souls are tough little cars. If you follow the maintenance they'll run for a long time. And look great!
My Soul has over 143,000 miles and all I've had go wrong is the starter. It gets amazing gas mileage...33-34. It's cute too. People always comment. Plus for a small car it's roomy.
accountCircle David Z
The vehicle is a box on wheels with a good sound system.
The gas mileage on the vehicle was improperly displayed upon purchasing. The gas mileage was not too bad but I feel as though it could have been more. The ride was not smooth at all in the car. I did not feel safe while driving in the vehicle. The only good part of this vehicle was the sound system.
accountCircle Sonja B
It is great on gas. Smooth drive on the highway.
The Kia soul is great on gas and is reliable. There is little maintenance that has to be done. Parts are easy to replace.
accountCircle Much Carcass
Not a sturdy vehicle.
Had a few recalls. One for ECU software error. Got it fixed. Now the vehicle uses oil (acetate) w/82k miles. Pathetic I never owned a Vehicle with less than 100k til this. And I never had a vehicle that burned oil. I Bought it used. W/50k miles. And I could tell the clutch was already fading, and worn. Sheets brake fluid clutch fluid which is new to me and an in welcome discovery. It's got its charms, good mileage, sometimes 45mph hiway. In perfect conditions no wind,etc. I wish it had bigger 16" at least wheels. I was running Nissan Maxima 18x7.5 inch wheels but I can't afford new tires. I've never had a car that needed aligned. It's had one. Now I need another cuz the tiered end already went. And I had to replace it. Parts aren't cheap. Pass front power window mysteriously stopped going up fullyhad to tear it apart and rebuild. Mind u all this and under 100k. Now I'm using mad oil. 1qt every 2days. It's good if u baby cars. I like to drive. It's a disappointment. I had a '12 escape b4 this. For 3 yrs. Never had to fix anything ceptbeakes n oil. And I wupped on it. This car I usually buy whatever will be reliable for the money I have. And grow to be impressed after a while. And I like to say yeah, it's not a chic magnet. But it's got soul. I buy a Kia Soul. It's got no soul. Ironic. Most I've ever spent on a vehicle. I've literally owned cars and drove em that I paid 100$ for. I won't admit what I paid for this. I'm embarrassed
accountCircle Alex C
This car is actually really good not the greatest for long rides.
It has no power but it has great gas mileage with only 20 bucks it fills up the whole tank for the week. Just wish it was a little bit bigger and roomier but it is overall a great car for the price. I’d recommend for college kids for sure or even new moms.

What Do Critics Say About the Soul?

  • Consumer Reports finds the Soul to be stiff and noisy with low owner satisfaction scores.
  • Edmunds gives the Soul a 4.3/5 liking the compact boxy styling, but cargo room is smaller than rivals.
  • Kelley Blue Book users give the Soul a 4.5/5 and enjoy the affordability, but loses value fast.

What Common Problems Does the 2012 Kia Soul Have?

Problems with the 2012 Soul are very serious including steering issues, engine failures, and the transmission shifting hard.

Clunking noises while turning are extremely common at around 80,000 miles. The flex coupler on the steering column is the most common source, costing around $850 to replace.

Engine failures are mentioned by owners in the first 50,000 miles. The main source is high exhaust gas temperatures, which can cause damage to the pistons and rods. Replacing the engine costs over $5,000.

Transmission shifting issues are brought up by owners at around 100,000 miles. The most common source of the problem is low fluid levels, changing the fluid costs about $200.

There are 2 recalls with the most serious being for the catalytic converter which may cause the engine to overheat. The second recall is just for the headliner plate, and is not a concern once it’s been replaced.

How Long Will the 2012 Kia Soul Last?

A properly maintained 2012 Soul should be able to last about 200,000 miles, which is 100,000 miles shorter than top-rated competitors including the RAV4. Maintenance costs are affordable according to Repair Pal, at $471 per year.

A 2012 Soul likely has over 100,000 miles and buyers should be prepared to replace the clutch for $1,000, the oil pan costing $450, and a seat heater switch which costs $125.

accountCircle Katie N

It has had no problems at all since I bought it. It is getting high in miles, and I keep up with maintenance, but it has run perfectly.

accountCircle Alexandra D

I feel that it is very reliable. The only downside I think it has is how light it is when empty because you can feel every bump on the road and the uneven parts are very noticed.

accountCircle P T

The only problem the Kia soul may have is that it can look odd or too small, but it is still useful everywhere else.

accountCircle Haley K

It has been reliable in getting me around but it has consistently had minor issues. The check engine light has been on frequently during its lifespan.

accountCircle Kevin M

This has been a very reliable car that has not provided and major issues. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

accountCircle Averi F

The Kia soul + is extremely reliable. I have not experienced any problems with my car and I have had it for over two years.

accountCircle Pat W

The only problem is the gas mileage. Except for that I have only had to have a headlight replaced and have the usual regular oil changes and regular maintenance.

accountCircle Steven F

Very reliable car. It has had no issues, just done required maintenance, oil changes, tires, shocks and struts, etc. nothing major and has ran great.

How Much Is the 2012 Kia Soul Worth?

Blue book prices range from $7,082 – 9,210 making the Soul $3,000 cheaper than a CR-V or Liberty. When new, the price range was $13,900 to $19,600. Depreciation is worse than average, losing 12% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Soul?

There are three versions of the Soul available. Technology is okay and was last updated in 2010 with a full redesign of the SUV showing up in 2014.

Base is the entry-level model and comes with:

  • 15-Inch Steel Wheels
  • Cloth Seating
  • Keyless Entry
  • 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With 3.5mm AUX and USB Connectivity

Soul + is a step up adding features such as:

  • 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
  • 6-Speaker Stereo System
  • Automatic Headlights
  • Rearview Camera

Soul ! is the flagship model and has:

  • 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • Two-Tone Interior Cloth Seating
  • Sunroof
  • 8-Speaker Infinity Sound System

What Engines Come In the Soul?

  • The base engine is a weak 1.6L 4-cylinder with 138 horsepower getting 27 MPG combined.
  • A more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder is available, making 164 horsepower and getting 26 MPG combined. The larger engine is still slow, taking 8.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Soul Come In?

How Big Is the Soul?

The 2012 Soul is classified as a compact SUV, but is smaller than rivals including the RAV4 and Escape. Passenger room is good in the cabin with plenty of room in the backseats for adults.

Cargo space is small with only 19 cubic feet of room behind the backseats, increasing to 53 cubic feet when folded flat.

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How Does the Soul Compare to the Competition?

The Honda Fit is one of its closest rivals costing only about $500 more. Passenger and cargo space are both better in the Fit, but the Soul has more technology. We recommend the Honda Fit since there are fewer mechanical issues helping it last longer.

The Scion xB is another competitor at around $1,000 more. Performance is better in the xB, but the Soul has a higher-quality interior. The Scion xB is a better choice since it is more reliable to own long term with no engine issues.

Ranks #5 Compact SUV by Owners

1
car
4.67
2
car
4.52
5
car
4.43

Do Owners Recommend the Kia Soul?

accountCircle Katie N

Yes, it has been reliable and had no issues since I bought it used in 2013. I like that it has a small body, but still manages to have a lot of room for passengers and cargo.

accountCircle Alexandra D

Yes, good gas mileage, comfortable seats plenty of room. Drives long distances well and has a very good sound system. Good for people of all heights.

accountCircle P T

This Kia has always been reliable, safe, and easy to navigate with. I'd highly recommend it to any driver young or old.

accountCircle Haley K

No the gas mileage is not good and I have had many issues with my car. The car goes through oil very quickly and needs to be checked frequently.

accountCircle Kevin M

It is a very dependable vehicle with many features. It is excellent on snow and has good pep for being a 4 cylinder vehicle.

accountCircle Averi F

I absolutely love my 2012 Kia soul +. It has an excellent turning radius. The gas mileage is amazing and is even better when eco mode is on. It has a good amount of space and is not too big of a car.

accountCircle Pat W

Absolutely I love its looks, it is size, it is pick up. I have had this car for seven years and the battery is still the original. The one negative is the gas mileage.

accountCircle Leland C

Yes it is a wonderful car. Have had no major issues requiring maintenance. Only have had suggested maintenance and has ran great.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Danté on December 9, 2022
Have Not Sold my Soul
I bought the 2012 Kia Soul used with 148,000 miles on it. Within 2 months, check engine light came on and the car went into "limp home mode" which means it will not go over 2,000 RPM to prevent the engine from exploding. Had the engine diagnosed with P1326 code (Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement). Took it to a dealership, they updated the ECU, nd the check engine light went off. About 2 months later, the light came back on. Took it back to the dealership. They informed me that the since the ECU had been updated, the next remedy was to replace the engine. Hyundai/Kia has a 'product improvement campaign' (not a full recall) on this family of engines. They will replace faulty engines... Up to 150,000 miles. Unfortunately for me, my engine was now at 151,000 miles. I continued to drive the car, trying to decide if I wanted to sell it or replace the engine out of pocket. I realized that either way, I would be losing money. I started passively looking for a replacement engine. One day, I received a notification from eBay that a seller offered me a discount on an engine I saved on my watch list. $1,800 engine with 88,000 miles on it. I bit the bullet bought the engine and got a mechanic to swap it out for me for $700. Since then, I have had no problems 🤞🏾
accountCircle Kevin on December 29, 2023
Excellent daily driver for the money!
Purchased brand new in Oct 2011, and have driven it 179,600 miles since then. It has never been to a repair shop for anything except new tires. I do all my own maintenance including brakes, belts, and services. It has never left me stranded, and so far has performed wonderfully. I have the plus model which adds a few bells and whistles and makes life more fun, and I commute 23 miles to work each day. I have no weird noises, no oil leaks, and am amazed that this little econobox has held up so well. It was less than $20K out the door. I do take care of it, and service all the recommended items, but cost is minimal if you avoid dealerships. I expect to see 200K miles in about 2 more years, and perhaps then, purchase something else. Do your research and focus on the manufacturers failings before condemning a model year. Several manufacturers have had issues with their newer constant variable transmissions (nissan, kia, ford, to name a few). Avoid the models with CVT's. I wouldn't purchase a Kia with a CVT, or any other make as well. And maintain your vehicle!
accountCircle Linda Galloway on February 15, 2023
Good gas mileage
I have close to 200,000 miles on it. The steering is making ALOT of noise, but still steers okay.idk, if it has a recall for that?
accountCircle Bryana B on June 24, 2021
My awesome Kia soul, highly recommend.
I love my Kia soul. It is roomy enough for extra belongings. I would recommend it to a small family or even a single. There’s room for car seats if needed and even small furniture if you were to be out shopping. It is reliable and has not given up on me ever.
accountCircle Anthony M on June 23, 2021
It is an awesome car inside and out, from the performance to the details.
Everything about this car I love, from the seats detail to the nice black interior. I enjoy driving it because it is so smooth and it makes you feel secure and safe in the car. The paint details are also my favorite since it is so well done. I also enjoy the active eco feature! It is such a unique feature that I never thought I would like so much.
accountCircle Tarah T on June 19, 2021
It is great for road trips because of how much storage space it has.
We've had it for a long time now, so there have been a lot of issues that have popped up over time. After about 6 or so years the steering completely went out and it was a miracle we didn't get in a car wreck. Turning the steering wheel did nothing, it had become completely detached from the wheels. Luckily, we were able to get it fixed, but yeah...
accountCircle Charissa K on June 9, 2021
Kia soul 2012, great car!
Great on gas mileage. Great for people with back issues to get in and out easy. Not a lot of trunk space. Great sound system in the car. Very comfortable and reliable. It has great safety features. A lot of air bags throughout the car. Great for a family of 3. Especially if you travel a lot and take vacations.
accountCircle Coleen B on June 3, 2021
Alien green is easy to find in the parking lot.
It is reliable. Goes well in the snow. Easy to handle. Easy to park. Interior is bigger than it looks. The warranty is awesome. Replaced the engine and the warranty covered it. Good gas mileage. Cool color. Alien green. It is small for an SUV but is roomy inside.
accountCircle Leslie S on June 2, 2021
Kia soul 2012, nice features, comfortable ride, dependable and easy to drive.
Vehicle has had some normal problems like needing brakes and tires with age. Currently has a front axle leak that needs replaced. Performance is fairly good, it drives well and gets me from a to b. I have driven a lot of miles in the years I have owned this car and have had a good experience on major highways and going high speeds. This car is reliable in performance and can hold a lot of equipment. Storage space is quite large for the car looking small. The Kia soul is a comfortable drive and the seats are comfortable as well. It does not go from 0 to 90 in seconds it takes its time gaining speed which I am okay with, it feels fairly safe for being top heavy according to the safety features one must be careful making sharp turns. My soul is not overloaded with features but with the features it does have I am happy with them, CD player, Bluetooth, aux imports, automatic windows and locks.
accountCircle Sydney M on May 29, 2021
I love my 2012 silver Kia soul.
My car is amazing. I have never had any technical difficulties. The gas mileage is great and the interior is comfortable. The rink and backseat are very roomy to be a smaller SUV. The car drives well and the safety features are nice. The only issue I have had is the window not rolling down immediately but will after a few minutes.
accountCircle Caroline S on May 27, 2021
I love my Kia soul 2012 base automatic.
It is my first car and I am in love with it. I have the car for 2 years now. They have a incredible price. It is a good compact car, easy to work on, rides smoothly. It makes a really reasonable economy average mpg. The truck is not that big but fits a lot of thing very well. All my things that I use to work fits there. I highly recommended this vehicle.
accountCircle Jag B on May 26, 2021
The Kia soul for campers and hikers.
It is a nice car with great gas mileage, the square interior gives more space than you expect. It will do some rough terrain I have taken it into the mountains for camping but stuck to gravel roads. It handles well with a tight turn radius but is prone to tipping at higher speeds so have to be careful on some back roads. It is only front wheel drive and cannot tow much which is inconvenient. We have a four hundred pound trailer that it will tow but anything bigger than that and it is to much for it.
accountCircle Alexa A on May 5, 2021
Red 2013 Kia soul- perfect for new drivers!
I absolutely love my car! It is a good size -not too big not too small- and it is perfect for people who are shorter. I wouldn't recommend this car to someone who is on the taller side. It runs smooth, it only costs me about $20 to fill my gas tank and it has Bluetooth so I can connect my music to my car and I can take phone calls hands free. The back seats also go down to make more room in the trunk which is very helpful. All in all, this car is a great investment. Would highly recommend!
accountCircle Elizabeth S on May 4, 2021
Love the Kia soul! I would recommend and would buy again.
I love the size of my car and the turn radius. The gas mileage is also good but my tank is small so I feel like I am at the gas station a lot. But I do feel like the gas mileage is really good and I am happy with that. The steering wheel makes a clicking noise and sometimes it is tough for my car to get up to speed on the interstate. Overall I really love it but those are the few things that I wish were a bit different. I do also love the Bluetooth capabilities for music and phone calls. Also I am able to lay down the seats in the back and haul some things, like a desk or when I am moving from place to place. It is also very roomy for four grown adults to ride in.
accountCircle Tyler C on May 2, 2021
2012 Kia soul is amazing!
All it has needed is regular maintenance and a new gas cap. Very good riding vehicle that handles well in different weather. Speakers are amazing and radio picks up very well. Very fuel efficient and does not cost much to fill up at all. Would definitely recommend to anyone.
accountCircle Xavier F on May 1, 2021
It takes very little money to feel up the gas and it is a comfortable car.
My Kia soul is probably one of the best cars for beginner drivers. It is really good on gas and the gas can last about 340 miles. It doesn't take a lot of maintenance as from what I've noticed. It rides very smoothly and is very comfortable. Many people look at a Kia and say no because it looks small but overall it's very compact and can hold a lot. The speaker system in the car is not lacking either. It's very loud and it's very fun to drive with.
accountCircle Amanda F on April 30, 2021
The sound system is awesome & the multicolor lighting around the speakers is rad.
Frequent electrical issues, mostly minor but we often replace brake light bulbs just for the replacement to stop working a week later. We also successfully replaced the crankshaft position sensor after having the tachometer drop to zero on the road. The issue happened about 20 times before we replaced the sensor. Not had the issue since replacement. Shocks seem stiff, that is considerably more noticeable sitting in the back seat.
accountCircle Celeste C on April 27, 2021
The high rating of a Kia soul.
Great gas mileage. Spacious. Box type car but good sized dashboard. Easy to clean and vacuum. Good family car with a very spacious trunk. Easy to change parts and easy to fix. Kia is a very reliable brand and super easy to control and handle. Superior safety ratings.
accountCircle Tyra B on April 20, 2021
My Kia soul review summary
My Kia soul is a reliable vehicle that can handle a lot of situations. I have had it since high school and drove it about 700 miles a couple times a month during college. It is got plenty of space-the backseat has more legroom than the passenger seat and a good amount of storage, too. I usually keep some extra clothes, towels, and dog stuff in the storage area in the trunk, above the spare tire and that is been really useful a couple of times.
accountCircle Alessia O on April 20, 2021
Has lights around the speakers that play to the music.
Vehicle has no problems. Has about 90,000 miles on it for a 2012. Has its original brake pads that are in good condition. Saves a lot of gas in the city and on highways. Contains a sunroof, and a backup camera. My car also provides a hitch to pull trailers.
accountCircle Am A on April 17, 2021
It is a good car to have if your just starting a family.
It's good to drive around where you live but not to go on trips especially if your going to go up hills. It tends to lag. My most common problem with it is that my transmission coils have to be changed most often. But I love that other than that it is reliable.
accountCircle Lena S on April 11, 2021
Pretty red with black interior.
It is reliable, I had it for 8 years, did not have major problems. It is compact and very good for urban environment. It looks good and easy to maneuver. I also love my red color with black interior. It is also very comfortable. I am thinking about similar car again.
accountCircle George T on April 8, 2021
My car a sound system that changes colors to the beat of the radio.
The main issue with the 2012 Kia soul is the small gas tank, the front end shocks are not brisk enough for the vehicle, you need snow tires in the winter, the back storage space is small and narrow, and the engine needs to be more powerful. Furthermore, the front and back lights need to be brighter as well as the fog lights.
accountCircle Lisa O on April 7, 2021
Needs more charging ports.
Love the car overall, it has been very dependable. My only complaint is that there is only 1 place in the entire car to charge electronics! This vehicle is compact, but roomy. Drives well. Good size storage in behind the back seats. It's got a small motor, but not small on get up and go. As a driver all the knobs and buttons are easily within reach.
accountCircle William K on March 24, 2021
Great car! Buy the car!:).
A deceivingly small car, has plenty of comfort and storage space, easy to drive and gets the job done. Turns are tight and good brakes. Easy to clean, and has great gas mileage, runs forever with low maintenance, she’s just a good reliable car for anyone.
accountCircle Averi F on March 23, 2021
The wonderful things of a Kia soul.
I absolutely love the Kia soul. The turning radius of the car is fantastic and it almost eliminates 3 point turns. I have had no problems with my car since getting it 2 years ago. The seats are comfortable which is great since I drive for 4 to 5 hours sometimes and I am never sore. The backup camera is a nice bonus as well as eco mode.
accountCircle Cameron H on March 18, 2021
Great car and reliable as well
No issues other normal wear and tear. Small oil leak currently but getting looked at soon. Comfy for size and sunroof is nice for driving in nice weather. Satellite radio is nice for long trips. Bluetooth is nice for hands free calling. Good gas mileage
accountCircle BOB e on March 18, 2021
VERY RELIABLE AND SAFE FOR FAMILY
MY KIA IS VERY TRUSTWORTHY. IT IS BIG ENOUGH FOR FAMILY,. SAFETY WISE It's IN TOP RANGE
accountCircle Ellen O on March 17, 2021
Driving high in my little Kia soul.
Great ergonomics. Reliable performance. Comfortable. Easily seats four adults and the heater and air-conditioner are excellent. One issue: the wheels ate very small and the car has not good traction. The soul handles easily and the hatchback is a plus.
accountCircle Dana C on March 17, 2021
Amazing Kia soul sports edition.
Its small easy to use Bluetooth very reliable has a driving shift gear. Could go really fast if I want it to because it's a Kia sport tinted windows and smooth driving. Had a extra wheel in the back in case one of my tires go out it's a donut so that's a cool feature. And some of my car lights up in the dark.
accountCircle louise T on March 14, 2021
Kia soul 2012. Okay but not perfect.
This car has been surprisingly reliable with no engine, transmission, or other larger issues. The gas mileage is disappointing and the interior is cheap and starting to peel off door panels and knobs. However, for the price this car has served me well and I would generally recommend it.
accountCircle kat D on March 12, 2021
The origami car: small outside that folds up inside to make it big inside.
I love the alien green color, it is one of the reasons I have not traded it in. You cannot get that color anymore. The Kia is the perfect size to fit in a compact car spot but everything folds in up inside so you can haul a bunch of stuff like a minivan without having to be annoying like a minivan. It is also a right height vehicle so you do not have to climb up or slouch down to get in it.
accountCircle Kathy A on March 9, 2021
The Price was Right. Gets great gas mileage. Seats 5 and has great storage.
This little vehicle is very comfortable. It drives smoothly. Got the big motor, so for a little car, it has pick me up. Gets great gas mileage. Would buy again when it's time to get a new vehicle.
accountCircle Toni L on March 8, 2021
The vehicle gets great gas mileage.
I drive a standard vehicle and it gets excellent gas mileage and has never had any issues. The only complaint I have is that the USB port has never worked. I bought the car brand new and plan to drive it as my main vehicle so long as it lasts. The air conditioning is still in great condition as is the heat. It has never overheated or not started up. It is surprisingly spacious and has plenary of room for a family of four.
accountCircle Linda W on March 7, 2021
The 3.1 engine is a great dependable engine I haven't had any issues.
Like that gets good gas mileage. Do not have any complaints. It is easy to drive & easy to park. Has enough room for four or five adults to be comfortable.
accountCircle George T on March 6, 2021
The features and options on the vehicle including the surround sound.
This vehicle is very low cost on maintenance and high on performance and features. It is good in the winter with snow tires and provides excellent gas mileage year round. There have been no major repairs needed and the resale value has held it owns. I highly recommend as a year round primary vehicle.
accountCircle Miguel C on March 6, 2021
Kia soul is a great car..
The a/c does not work sometimes. The paint is starting to peel off too soon. The gas mileage is great and it is an overall not bad car. I would definitely keep this car and continue to upgrade it how I can. It is a pretty reliable car for how fast I found it.
accountCircle Kathleen V on March 2, 2021
Family friendly. Style and comfort.
Looks great. Drives well. Good on gas. Roomy and comfortable for family of four. Low maintenance. Besides normal wear and tear the only thing I have had to replace is the battery. Then only complaints I have is the truck area could be more spacious and it would be perfect if it had four wheel drive. It really does not do to well in snow.
accountCircle Madeleine L on March 2, 2021
I really enjoy the light up speakers.
This car is not great in snow. It does not have all wheel drive, making it very slippery in winter. I do, however, love everything else about the car.
accountCircle Connie D on March 2, 2021
My Kia Soul, is the Soul in me!
Ride great, good on gas. I take care of elderly people. And it's easy for them to get in and out of the Soul. It is not to low to the ground and not too high off the ground. It has a lot of room for traveling as well. It take 30 dollars to full it up. And I really got good mileage. Never had a problem and had it for 4yrs its still under 60, 000 miles. Eco, fully load it.
accountCircle Lauren B on March 1, 2021
Reliable, easy to drive Kia soul.
I have 140,000 miles on my Kia soul, and have had zero problems with it so far. It has been a really good car. It is big enough to have lots of space, but small enough to be easy to park. My main complaint would be that the trunk is really small, but if you fold the back seats down, you have tons of space.
accountCircle George B on February 28, 2021
Groovy little car, attention getter.
I have 120, 000 miles on this car, it has been absolutely trouble free, and is very comfortable on long trips. The air conditioning always blows cold, and consistently gets 30 plus miles to the gallon on the highway. If I were to have any complaints, it would be that it is short on cargo space.
accountCircle Roxanne R on February 27, 2021
Great little car...small outside, big inside.
This is the first car I have loved in 25 years. It turns on a dime, really easy to park and is very roomy inside.
accountCircle Jackie H on February 23, 2021
How great Kia Soul's are for new drivers.
The car I own is a Kia Soul. It is a wonderful car because it has just the right amount of space. I packed for college and I could fit everything I needed into it easily. The fabric on the sheets are very well made and do not tear or fade. The gas mileage is great. I can fill up my tank of gas and still stay under budget for the month.
accountCircle Kevin M on February 23, 2021
Kia soul is a reliable and fun car to drive.
This is a very dependable vehicle with very little issues. The gas mileage is great also. The items that have need done were minor and/or covered by recall. It is also a very easy car to maintain. It only takes about 3-4 quarts of oil. This is a vehicle that I would purchase a newer model when the time comes.
accountCircle Corey C on February 22, 2021
It has comfortable seating. The speakers are ok. The windows are nice.
I think the car handles good. It has a lot of room. You can 33 miles to the gallon. It could have better brakes and more trunk space. It sounds like it is dying if you try to speed up too fast. I wish the inside had more options for the radio. It has no mirrors on the visors.
accountCircle Debi N on February 17, 2021
Fun and dependable vehicle to drive.
I have only had 1 problem with my car. It the door locks quit working and I was very concerned about the repair, but I repaired it myself it was only a blown fuse. It has been very dependable and fun to drive. I have taken it on multiple trips and it has done well. It is roomy and we get great gas mileage.
accountCircle Brianna F on February 15, 2021
2012 Kia soul! Alien green. The speakers light up and dance with the music.
It is sporty and fun to drive. You can park and get out easily anywhere. We have never had to do anything major to it, just regular maintenance, battery, new tires and brakes once. We take it on long trips, it is very comfortable and roomy. We love that the speakers light up when the radio is on and we love the GPS.
accountCircle Kristen B on February 15, 2021
Its small but has a lot of power. The back up camera is spot on.
Backup camera, sunroof and the speakers change colors. It's also very comfy and the design is simple and fun.
accountCircle Lori B on February 14, 2021
Dependable, great gas mileage, roomy and easy to handle on the road.
I have not had any problems with my Kia soul, the price was right for this car. It is a very dependable car, very spacious and roomy, great gas mileage for my business and easy to drive on the road. The downfall is that the paint peels off of the inside of the car, door, radio knob. I know it is an older car, but it has been doing it for years.
accountCircle Taylor G on February 13, 2021
Great car, bad electrical.
My car is really nice for road trips it is roomy even though it is a small car. Plus it's great to fit in any tight city parking while still allowing room. Overall a great car. However there seems to be a problem with the electrical system because it goes through break and headlights very often burning out the bulb within a month.
accountCircle Tonya N on February 10, 2021
Let’s buy a soul for your soul!
Kia soul is reliable. Small SUV. You can haul 5 adults comfortably. Comes equipped with a backup camera and CD player. Has Sirius XM built in. If you like to take long trips this is the car for you. The seats are comfortable and does not make you hurt from sitting too long.
accountCircle Hannah S on February 10, 2021
The vehicle is very roomy.
Vehicle handling is still very good, the paint is still not scratched, the air conditioning still works. The storage is very good, feels very roomy and I can fit a lot of people in the car. The car looks very good and it is very easy to find in a parking lot.
avatar 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.