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2023 Kia

Soul

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Kia Soul: best and worst years

Overview

Body
Small Station WagonsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

HP
147
Power to weight
0.042 hp/lb
Axle ratio
5.72
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Start-stop system
YesEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
33 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
28 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
30 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,100EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
CO₂
301 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Eco Score
6/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
7/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
165 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
71 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
64 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
102 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,466 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
101 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Cargo Vol
24 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Overall crash rating
★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Recalls
4
Owner complaints
48
Reported injuries
15

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14%
  • ENGINE14%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER14%
  • STEERING10%
  • SERVICE BRAKES8%
  • LANE DEPARTURE7%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 84 total.

Kia Soul: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • AQ25001opened Aug 6, 2025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

    Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

47 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • May 28, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTSB_ELE422

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).

  • Dec 9, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGSPS797

    PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or for

  • Nov 4, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTSB_ELE402

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: POWER WINDOW MAIN SWITCH REPLACEMENT (CA2510) - This bulletin provides information regarding an intermittent operation of the main power window switch on the driver’s door on 2022–2024MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from May 1, 2022 through July 19, 2024. The switch on the driver’s door may not operate the three passenger windows due to carbon buildup on the switch contact surfaces. The affected windows remain operable via the window switch located at each door. The d

  • Sep 11, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWTY041_TSB_R1

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY041) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY041) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the horn assembly on certain 2020-2025MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 15, 2018 through August 13, 2024, The affected vehicles

  • Sep 4, 2025ENGINESST082_R1

    This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain Kia engine/model vehicles. The piston oil ring(s) in certain Kia engines may, over time, damage the surface of the engine cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. The applicable vehicle may or may not have the Piston Noise Sensing

  • Sep 4, 2025ENGINESC336YZ_TSB

    This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published under SC336 titled “Engine Inspection/Replacement and ECM Logic Improvement”.

  • Apr 17, 2025POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R5

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

  • Apr 4, 2025ENGINETSB_SST082

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PISTON NOISE SENSING SYSTEM (PNSS) INSPECTION - This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain 2020 - 2023 MY Kia Soul (SK3) 2021 - 2023 MY Seltos (SP2) Kia vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI Engines. The piston oil ring(s) in certain Kia engines may, over time, damage the surface of the engine cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in

  • and 39 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.