DecodedCars2018 Kia Soul
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- EV, EX/Sx, LX
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 26 city / 31 hwy
- EV range
- 111 mi · 5 h on 240 V
- Length
- 163 in
- Curb weight
- 2,714–3,289 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Kia Soul is a small station wagon offered with 3 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 163 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 101-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,289 lb (EV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 31 highway), 6% worse than the 2018 small station wagon average of 29.7 MPG, for an estimated $700 a year in fuel.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 111 miles and takes about 5 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2018
- Longest EV range up from 93 to 111 miles
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Soul →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV | 163 in | 70.9 in | 63 in | 101.2 in | 61.8 / 62.6 in | 3,289 lb | 61/39 |
| EX/Sx | 163 in | 70.9 in | 63 in | 101.2 in | 61.8 / 62.6 in | 2,837 lb | 61/39 |
| LX | 163 in | 70.9 in | 63 in | 101.2 in | 61.8 / 62.6 in | 2,714 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 Electric EV | 81 kW AC PMSM | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 111 mi · 31.2261 kWh/100mi | – | $700 | – |
| Soul | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 31 / 28 | -6% | $2,400 | 320 |
| Soul | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | -9% | $2,500 | 334 |
| Soul | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | -9% | $2,500 | 330 |
| Soul | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 27 | -9% | $2,500 | 335 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.7% |
Similar 2018 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Soul (this car) | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Fit | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2018 Honda HR-V | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Kia Niro | 50 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 238 mi | Not rated | 5 |
| 2018 Fiat 500 L | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) · Oct 26, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V724000 · 6,262 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.
- Risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Mar 29, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V218000 · 2,689 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.
- Risk
- A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.
Air Bags · Jan 25, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V031000 · 410,619 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Not every 2018 Kia Soul is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Kia Soul buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 143 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 32 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 20 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 111 miles.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 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 |
| 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 |
| 2013 Soul | 28 | 161.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 631 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →