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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.6L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 24 / 30 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,600 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 335 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $15,103–$17,576 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2015 Kia Soul earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.0/10, while Performance at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.8/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.6/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $15,103–$17,576, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Soul sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 8.0/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this suv delivers more than most of the class. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2015 Kia Soul, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Kia Soul ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $15,103 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 58%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Soul model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $21,310 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $20,690 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $20,069 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $19,448 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $18,827 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $18,207 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $17,586 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $16,965 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $16,345 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $15,724 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $15,103 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Engine 02/12/2020 · 20V750000 | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. |
|---|---|
| Engine 22/02/2019 · 19V120000 | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and… |
| Steering 29/09/2017 · 17V608000 | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly. |
| Vehicle speed control / Accelerator pedal 02/03/2015 · 15V123000 | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.