2010 Kia Soul
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 1.6l, 2.0l
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 26 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 161.8 in
- Curb weight
- 2,624–2,899 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2010 small station wagon (24.3 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Kia Soul is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 162 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,624 lb (1.6l).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 31 highway), 15% better than the 2010 small station wagon average of 24.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6l | 161.8 in | 70.5 in | 63.4 in | 100.4 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 2,624 lb | 61/39 |
| 2.0l | 161.8 in | 70.5 in | 63.4 in | 100.4 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 2,899 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 31 / 28 | +15% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Soul | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 31 / 28 | +15% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Soul | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 26 | +7% | $2,600 | 342 |
| Soul | 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 26 | +7% | $2,600 | 342 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Kia Soul under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Kia Soul (this car) | 28 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Honda Fit | 31 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2010 Scion xB | 24 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2010 Nissan Cube | 29 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (3)
Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars · Dec 29, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V822000 · 95,314 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
- Risk
- A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Electrical System › Wiring · Aug 31, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V388000 · 35,185 vehicles
- Problem
- KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.
- Risk
- WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Not every 2010 Kia Soul is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Kia Soul buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 17 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 11 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Service Brakes — 9 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Kia Soul. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Soul years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Soul | 31 | 165.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 12 |
| 2024 Soul | 31 | 165.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 Soul | 31 | 165.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 54 |
| 2022 Soul | 31 | 165.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 95 |
| 2021 Soul | 31 | 165.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 239 |
| 2020 Soul | 31 | 165.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 388 |
| 2019 Soul | 28 | 163 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 140 |
| 2018 Soul | 28 | 163 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 223 |
| 2017 Soul | 28 | 163 in | Not rated | 3 | 290 |
| 2016 Soul | 27 | 163 in | Not rated | 5 | 823 |
| 2015 Soul | 26 | 163 in | Not rated | 7 | 907 |
| 2014 Soul | 26 | 163 in | Not rated | 5 | 878 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →