carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 27 / 33 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,250 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 302 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $21,310–$26,047 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Kia Soul at 7.7/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.6/10, while Performance at 5.9/10 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. We score reliability at 8.1/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.9/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.0/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $21,310–$26,047, 31 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Soul sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.6/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Kia Soul is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2025 Kia Soul ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $21,310 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 41%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Kia Soul scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.7 — 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 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $21,310 | |
| 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 | 7.2/10 | $15,103 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.