Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2020 Kia Soul
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 →
How It Ranks Among SUVs
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%.
$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Soul Year Should You Buy?
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.
Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
✗ Where it falls short
Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
NHTSA Recalls — 2020 Kia Soul (1 on record)
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 with our free VIN recall checker.
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.
Own a 2020 Kia Soul that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2020 Kia Soul
Is the 2020 Kia Soul reliable?
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).
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Soul have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2020 Kia Soul worth buying?
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.
How much does the 2020 Kia Soul cost?
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.
Which Soul years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Soul years we've rated are 2016 (7.1/10), 2018 (7.2/10), 2017 (7.2/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.7/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2020 Kia Soul have?
The documented issues for the 2020 Kia Soul are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Engine (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Kia Soul
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
You're in — first report lands next month.
More Kia Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
Representative photo — may show another model year