The 2015 Kia Soul is another in a long line of basic, but satisfactory subcompact crossovers. It’s not the most exciting car on the road today, but it’s one of the best daily drivers ever mass-produced.
2015 Kia Soul: Quick Overview
- An EV model was added to the Kia Soul lineup for 2015, but only in California.
- The 2015 Kia Soul barely costs more than a dollar a day to keep running.
- Offered with a 130 horsepower 1.6L inline-four, or a 164 horsepower 2.0L inline-four.
- Expect to get around 24/30 mpg, city/highway in the 1.6L, or 23/31 in the 2.0L.
- The 2015 Kia Soul holds a Top Safety Pick award with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and a perfect five-star rating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The 2015 Kia Soul isn’t quite as cheap as a Hyundai Veloster, and it’s not quite as fuel-efficient as a Nissan Cube. But it’s a better overall package than just about anything in its class.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Problems Does the 2015 Kia Soul Have?
The 2015 Soul’s biggest problem is in the engine department, with over 400 complaints total when you add up engine, propulsion, powertrain, and speed control reports. The big one: engine stall and a burning odor. Other issues include electrical concerns, with headlights flickering in some units, and a few reports of cruise control randomly speeding up or slowing down.
The car has been recalled five times, with the most concerning of these having to do with engine fires. Nearly 400,000 Kias were recalled in February of 2019 for an overheated catalytic converter, and nearly 300,000 were recalled in December of 2020 for potential fires resulting from engine damage.
The 2015 Kia Soul isn’t one of the best model years for the nameplate, but Kia has proven to be quick and responsive when it comes to recalls. If you can get a 2017, that might be preferable. But you might drive your 2015 for years without issue.
What are the Prices, Models & Specs?
You should be able to find a 2015 Kia Soul for around $9,228 these days. Assuming a launch price in the area of $17,116, the Kia Soul typically depreciates at around 39% over five years, which is typical for the subcompact crossover SUV market. Kia always keeps their trim lists short and simple, with a base level and two sets of packages to choose from for the 2015.
- The Base model is your standard entry-level SUV. Cloth seats with manual adjust and carpeted floors. You’ve got power windows and everything, nothing’s missing, but there’s nothing too exciting to be found here, either.
- With the playfully named + (Plus), you’re getting a UVO eServices infotainment system and leather trim in the audio package, and from there you can upgrade to the Primo package which adds heated, ventilated seats and front fog lights.
- ! (Exclaim) drivers get UVO, speaker lights, panoramic sunroof, and automatic climate control in the Sun & Sound package, and from there you can upgrade to “The Whole Shabang” with ventilated, heated seats, push-button start, and leather seat trim.
How Long will the 2015 Kia Soul Last?
You should expect a 2015 Kia Soul to keep running for around 200,000 miles. Beyond that, it may get to be a little too expensive to keep on the road. Annual maintenance costs typically come out to around $429, barely over a dollar a day, making it one of the cheaper used SUVs to keep humming along.
Yes. I do a lot of highway driving so usually the maintenance would be frequent & expensive but it is not. I have had no major repairs yet. I have also done road trips to Florida & back & it was amazing. There are sensors for everything so u are warned about possible repairs before it gets to the point you need it or it breaks down.
I have been pretty lucky with my soul, it has been very reliable for me. I keep up with routine maintenance and oil changes and have had no problems, other than having to buy a new battery.
I have had no major issues with this car. Just the normal ware and tare that comes with owning any car.
No problems with this car. Very reliable, in five years I have only had to do regular maintenance.
My Kia soul has had no problems so far. I have been driving it for over a year and have had no issues with it.
There has never been anything wrong with my car. It has some bumps from the daily wear and tear from kids hitting doors into things and rocks and road barrels.
We have not had any issues with the vehicle aside from regular maintenance concerns. It has been very reliable.
The 2015 Kia soul base is reliable. I have been using this vehicle partly for work. The gas mileage is great. I fill up the tank once a week. The only problem I can point out on this vehicle are the blind spots. Given its boxy frame, it is sometimes difficult to check for oncoming vehicles.
What Technology & Safety Features are Included?
- Basic onboard tech includes an AM/FM/MP3 audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and six speakers, with steering wheel-mounted controls.
- A rear camera display can be added with the UVO package, which also adds the eServices package.
- Other than the rearview camera, safety tech is pretty standard for a 2015 subcompact crossover SUV. Stability control, anti-lock brakes, just the basics. The hill-start assist is a nice touch, though.
What Engine Options are Available?
The Kia Soul has always been about efficiency and convenience over sporty driving. But it actually can be kind of a joy to pilot with its nimble handling and two peppy engine options.
- You’ll find a 1.6L inline-four in the Base model. 130 horsepower, 118 lb.-ft. of torque, married to a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive. And that’s a real six-speed, not a CVT. Simple, basic, and gets the job done at an EPA-estimated 24/30 mpg, city/highway.
- The + and ! models pack a 2.0L inline-four under the hood. This one has a bit more muscle at 164 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. Six-speed, front-wheel drive, with a city/highway mpg of 23/31.
What Color Options are Available?
How Big is the 2015 Kia Soul?
The boxy little Kia Soul has always been a wonder of efficient space design. Tiny on the outside, roomy on the inside. With seats up, you’ve got about 24.2 cu. ft. of cargo space. Seats down, you’ve got 61.3 cu. ft. The interior is roomy enough to comfortably pack five adults and their luggage, or you can drop the back seats when you need to haul a dresser or a bicycle or something. The back opens all the way up, making it very easy to use your Soul like a small cargo van.
How Does the 2015 Kia Soul Compare to Other Subcompact Crossover SUVs?
When it comes to doing what a Kia Soul does, there might not be any real competition. A simple, roomy, versatile, and affordable daily driver. The Soul really does have the market cornered.
But, the Nissan Cube, while averaging around a thousand bucks more in the Blue Book, does get slightly better mileage, at 25/31. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Veloster is about a thousand bucks cheaper, but the three-door body and outdated infotainment features mean you get what you pay for.
Other cars in the subcompact crossover class may be a little cheaper, they may offer better performance, they may be a little bigger or a little sportier. But you won’t find an all-arounder as good as the Soul.
Final Verdict: Is the 2015 Kia Soul a Good SUV?
Yes.
The inside of a 2015 Kia Soul is a lot bigger than you’d guess from the outside, and while the interior features are basic, they’re not inadequate.
On the other hand, there’s really nothing all that exciting about a Kia Soul. The engine is peppy enough that you won’t hesitate to merge or pass in traffic, but the overall feel can be a bit wimpy anywhere the roads aren’t paved and flat.
Overall, the Kia Soul is probably the best all-arounder on the used market today, and the 2015 is a fine example of the nameplate.
Photos: Kia