Over the years, the Kia Soul line has delivered a smooth, responsive, and well-refined ride. The car spots a boxy SUV-like build and is known to perform with great fuel economy. Also, its compact appearance conceals a roomy and comfortable interior. Kia produced the Soul to be durable and has earned high-reliability scores on several platforms. If you are impressed by these attractive qualities and interested in cars similar to Kia Soul, we are delighted to help you find the best.
Top Cars Similar To Kia Soul
In this post, we have compiled a list of cars similar to Kia Soul to help you make the right decision. Some cars we picked offer more cabin space, engine capacity, driver assistance features, or gas mileage. This way, you can find the car that suits your needs. Ultimately, they are the best in the compact crossovers category.
1. Honda HR-V
Honda’s mini-crossover series, the HR-V, has delivered cars similar to Kia Soul for decades. The 2024 model still wears the same exterior launched in 2023. Under the hood, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine powers this car. The powertrain produces 158 horsepower and pairs with an automatic CVT to move the front wheels. Also, the car shares some chassis components with the Civic.
Most buyers favor this car for its excellent gas mileage, which is estimated to be 26 MPG in the city and 32 on the highway. Inside the HR-V, you get to enjoy an upscaled and comfortable five-seater interior. The cabin offers access to Honda’s unique LaneWatch system for blind spot detection. Standard features are a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 9.0-inch display and wireless charging pads are featured in the high-end trims.
The latest HR-V also boasts core safety features with a cargo space of about 53 cubic feet. A new 2024 Honda HR-V starts at $25,950 and can go up to $29,500, depending on the trim and optional features you want.
2. Volkswagen Taos
VW’s Taos is featured among the cheapest SUVs to maintain and repair. The German SUV is an ideal choice for buyers who are concerned about engine power. Under the hood, you will find a potent 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that churns out 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. You can choose between an FWD with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the 4Motion AWD with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The FWD model features a torsion-beam setup for the rear suspension, while the AWD has a more sophisticated multilink design. The Taos sports a modern interior with a fully digital gauge cluster fitted to every dashboard. Also, you get to choose between a 6.5-inch and an 8.0-inch infotainment system. Both systems are equipped with built-in navigation, an eight-speaker BeatsAudio stereo, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging.
Additionally, the Taos offers good gas mileage across both drivetrains. You can get a new 2024 Volkswagen Taos for about $29,000. The actual price can be more or less depending on the trim you opt for.
3. Kia Niro Hybrid
The 2024 Niro is a cool, city-friendly hybrid from Kia. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine pairs with an electric motor to power the base model. While the plug-in hybrid powertrain is augmented by an 11.1-kWh battery pack that travels for about 33 miles on battery power. The base powertrain produces up to 139 horsepower, while the plug-in features a more powerful electric motor to boost delivery up to 180 horsepower.
Both trims rely on a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to power the FWD, which is standard. Gas mileage across trims differ, but the EPA estimates that the base models perform at 53 MPG in the city and 45 MPG on the highway.
The interior is futuristic and comfortable, boasting high-end materials and features deemed luxurious for a car within its price range. You get ample space for passengers and luggage. Like most Kia cars, the Niro boasts the latest high-tech safety features. These include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-change assist. The 2024 Kia Niro Hybrid is offered in seven trims, with pricing ranging between $28,315 and $41,515.
4. Toyota C-HR
The CH-R is another impressive Japanese crossover to look out for if you are in the market for cars similar to Kia Soul. The 2022 model is the latest and features a mundane 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces up to 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Unlike most cars on this list, an AWD layout is not available for this car. Drivers are stuck with the standard boring FWD. However, you get stronger suspensions and an automatic CVT to add color to the driving experience.
The only great part to all this sluggishness is the fuel efficiency. This car is estimated by the EPA to deliver a gas mileage of 27 MPG in the city and 31 on the highway. For the interior, the core luxury features include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, faux-leather dash, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system offering Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Furthermore, the backup camera display is integrated with the rearview mirror.
Other standard features include 18-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, a proximity key with passive entry, and heated exterior mirrors. The 2022 Toyota C-HR costs anywhere between $25,615 and $28,635.
5. Chevrolet Trax
The 2024 Trax offers impressive equipment and space for the money but sacrifices some performance and driving verve in return for its superb value. Every generation of Trax runs on a 1.4-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 137 horsepower. Power is carried via a six-speed automatic transmission to the FWD driveline.
This 2024 model features a giant 11.0-inch Chevrolet MyLink touchscreen infotainment system. All Chevys provide support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a native 4G/LTE data connection and an in-built WiFi hotspot. The exterior is handsome and muscular, and the cabin is roomy and sleek to complement it. Many buyers will appreciate the EPA-estimated gas mileage of 28 MPG in the city and 32 on the highway.
Furthermore, some optional tech features like the remote start, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof help add spice to the otherwise corporate interior. A new 2024 Chevrolet Trax starts at $21,495 and goes up to $24,995, depending on the trim and optional features you want.
6. Nissan Kicks
The 2024 Nissan Kicks is a reliable, compact crossover offered with competitive pricing. It is one of the cars similar to Kia Soul and shares similar driving dynamics. The latest models run on a four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces up to 122 horsepower. The drivetrain relies on an automatic CVT and a front-wheel drive system. Inside the car is a five-seater cabin that offers good leg and head room.
A good reason to buy this car is the affordable maintenance cost and impressive fuel economy. The EPA-estimated gas mileage is 31 MPG in the city and 36 on the highway. Moreover, the interior is as attractive as can be, featuring some cool tech tools. You get to choose between a 7.0-inch and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen. The latter gets an extra USB-C port and access to Nissan’s NissanConnect telematics and concierge system. Also, the Bose stereo system and a Wi-Fi hotspot are optional for the more expensive trims.
Some of the standard safety features include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. A new 2024 Nissan Kicks costs anywhere between $22,440 and $25,000.
7. Mazda CX-3 Sport
The CX-3 Sport is Mazda’s smallest crossover lineup. Several generations have been offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The 2021 model produces up to 146 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission. You get to choose between the standard FWD layout and a more agile AWD.
For the interior, Mazda impresses with available heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel. The latest CX-3 also boasts an optional head-up display for critical driving information. Another exciting feature is the G-Vectoring Control. This is an advanced form of traction control that reduces engine power slightly when the car turns. It also shifts weight to the front tires to increase traction for precise steering response in harsh weather conditions.
As for fuel economy, the CX-3 is one of the best on this list. The EPA estimates that this car delivers a combined gas mileage of about 32 and 30 MPG for the FWD and AWD trims, respectively. The 2021 Mazda CX-3 ranges between $21,965 and $23,140.
8. Ford EcoSport
The EcoSport is a compact four-door crossover. It is one of the cars similar to Kia Soul. The base EcoSport runs on a four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces up to 166 horsepower. This engine relies on a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive layout. Despite the AWD coming standard, performance is still mediocre.
The EPA estimated that the EcoSport performs with a gas mileage of 23 MPG in the city and 29 on the highway. This is poor compared with others in this segment. The thing that sets the EcoSport apart is its rear fifth door. Instead of swinging up like a hatch, the EcoSport door opens to the side, making rear cargo access much easier. The EcoSport offers about 50 cubic feet of cargo space and will seat five passengers.
The EcoSport offers two levels of infotainment, with the top version based on Ford’s user-friendly Sync 3 system. It uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen with features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces. Base models have a basic display with Bluetooth compatibility but no other smartphone integration. The price range for a new 2022 Ford EcoSport is between $23,335 and $29,690.
9. Hyundai Venue
The latest model of Hyundai Venue is maneuverable and has a roomy interior. This model offers more tech and a keyless entry with a Push-button start. The four-cylinder gasoline engine powering this car produces up to 121 horsepower. It pairs with an automatic CVT and a standard FWD driveline as the only configuration. This compact four-door crossover is estimated to deliver 29 MPG in the city and 33 on the highway.
For the interior, the front and rear seats offer ample passenger space. Standard features are a sturdy switchgear, an attractive gauge cluster, and an 8.0-inch infotainment display. The infotainment interface offers access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Top trims also offer a built-in navigation system with real-time traffic updates.
Finally, forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention monitor are standard for all trims. A new 2024 Hyundai Venue costs between $21,275 and $24,525, which is a fair range considering all the exciting perks that come with it.
10. Buick Encore
You cannot avoid the Encore when talking about top-class compact crossovers. The 2022 model offers a spacious four-person interior with a decent cargo area. The cabin impresses with lots of new-day technology, starting with the intuitive 7.0-inch infotainment system, the IntelliLink. The interface offers access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE data connection with onboard Wi-Fi. You can also enjoy the SiriusXM satellite radio on the six-speaker audio system or a Bose premium audio setup with seven speakers.
The car runs on a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that churns out 155 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque. This setup relies on a six-speed automatic transmission to power the driveline. An FWD layout is standard, but you can opt for an AWD for more flare. This upgrade costs about $620.
The sophisticated interior offers tech features like a 4G/LTE data connection and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Many reviewers appreciated Buick’s QuietTuning system, which includes triple-sealed doors, acoustic windshield glass, and active engine noise cancellation. Additionally, the Encore boasts well-tuned suspensions and great fuel economy. This is why it is perfect for buyers seeking comfortable day-to-day rides.
The EPA estimates its combined gas mileage to be at about 28 and 27 MPG for the FWD and AWD options, respectively. You can get a new 2022 Buick Encore for between $26,415 and $27,295.
Let’s Wrap It Up…
The 2024 Kia Soul is one of the best compact crossovers available today. It runs on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers up to 147 horsepower, with its sticker price ranging between $21,565 and $25,865. Kia has maintained a mundane price tag despite adding lots of cool features in the latest models. All the cars similar to Kia Soul we have reviewed share these great features. Moreover, each car features extra ingredients to up their recipe. If you think the Soul is a cool car, Try our alternatives!
