carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.6L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 27 / 32 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,350 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 309 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $18,207–$22,853 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Kia Soul is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.4/10, while Performance at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
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. At 7.0/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $18,207–$22,853, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Soul sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. Its value score of 8.4/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2020 Kia Soul will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
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 2020 Kia Soul ranks #947 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 61% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $18,207 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 50%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Kia Soul scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.5 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $18,207 | |
| 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 | 7.2/10 | $15,103 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has 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 13/04/2021 · 21V259000 | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage. |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2020 Kia Soul's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 61% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Kia Soul starts at $18,207 and ranges up to $22,853 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.