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Used car guide
Used Kia Soul: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Kia Soul from 2010 to 2025, across 3 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $4,500 to $20,500), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2023–2025. Look harder at or skip 2010–2022.
2020–2025 Kia Soul
A practical boxy hatchback with simple controls and excellent visibility.
Years to target: 2023–2025. Look harder at or skip: 2020–2022. It has a strong reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $13,000 | Look harder | 4 of 5 | ~75,000 |
| 2021 | $14,500 | Look harder | 4 of 5 | ~65,000 |
| 2022 | $15,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~50,000 |
| 2023 | $16,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~40,000 |
| 2024 | $18,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~30,000 |
| 2025 | $20,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~20,000 |
Worth knowing
- 2020: owner complaints spike (381, mostly the engine).
- 2021: owner complaints spike (232, mostly the engine).
- Theft risk for 2020–2022. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- All-wheel drive is not available, and the CVT can feel rubbery when accelerating hard.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the S: it adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert over the LX. The EX adds heated seats, and early turbo trims add real power. CarPlay is standard.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from 2023, optional from 2020.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2020, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from 2023.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2021–2022 · $17,500–$18,500
- Toyota Prius 2018–2019 · $17,000–$19,000
- Mitsubishi Mirage 2024–2025 · $17,000–$19,000
Find one near you
2014–2019 Kia Soul
A roomier, quieter Soul with a better ride and a short-range electric version.
No year in this generation is clear of problems. Shop carefully. Look harder at or skip: 2014–2019. It has a strong reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $6,500 | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~130,000 |
| 2015 | $7,000 | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~120,000 |
| 2016 | $8,000 | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~110,000 |
| 2017 | $8,500 | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2018 | $9,500 | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2019 | $10,500* | Theft risk | 5 of 5 | ~80,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Theft risk for 2014–2019. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- Some engines are covered by Kia extended warranty campaigns, so check the VIN and service history.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the + (Plus): it adds the stronger 2.0-liter engine, alloy wheels and a better stereo over the base. CarPlay arrived for 2017, when the top trim gained a turbo.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: optional from 2017, never standard in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2011–2012 · $8,000–$9,000
- Acura TSX 2010–2011 · $7,500–$8,500
- Toyota Yaris 2015–2017 · $7,500–$8,500
Find one near you
2010–2013 Kia Soul
A boxy, tall hatchback with lots of headroom, easy entry and surprising cargo room for its size.
No year in this generation is clear of problems. Shop carefully. Look harder at or skip: 2010–2013. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $4,500 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~145,000 |
| 2011 | $5,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~135,000 |
| 2012 | $5,500 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~125,000 |
| 2013 | $6,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~120,000 |
Worth knowing
- Theft risk for 2010–2013. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- The ride is stiff and the cabin noisy, and some engines fall under Kia extended warranty campaigns, so check the VIN.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the + (Plus): it adds the stronger 2.0-liter engine, cruise control and alloy wheels over the base. These predate CarPlay and modern driver aids.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: not offered in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Hyundai Accent 2012–2013 · $5,000–$5,500
- Honda Insight 2011–2012 · $5,000–$5,500
- Mazda Mazda3 2011 · $5,000
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.