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2021 Kia Soul

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class: Small Station Wagons
Body styles: 5dr Hatch, EV Limited 5dr Hatch, EV Premium 5dr Hatch
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 147–201 hp
Transmission: CVT, 7-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 31 combined · 29 city / 35 hwy
Length: 165.4 in
Curb weight: 2,844–3,715 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Strong performanceUp to 201 hp, versus about 141 hp for similar 2021 models.

Watch out for

Many owner complaints239 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 64 for similar models — most often about the engine.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Kia Soul is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 165 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,844 lb (5dr Hatch).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (29 city / 35 highway), 0% better than the 2021 small station wagon average of 31 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2021

No all-electric version any more

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Soul →

Trims, performance & features

Engine147 hp2.0L 4-cyl

Engine201 hp1.6L turbo 4-cyl

TransmissionCVT · 7-speed automatic

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

LX, S, X-LineEXGT-Line 2.0GT-Line Turbo

Safety & driver-assist features

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Gwang-Ju, South Korea

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Soul configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
5dr Hatch	165.4 in	70.9 in	63.8 in	102.4 in	61 / 61 in	2,844 lb	61/39
EV Limited 5dr Hatch	165.4 in	70.9 in	63.8 in	102.4 in	61 / 61 in	3,715 lb
EV Premium 5dr Hatch	165.4 in	70.9 in	63.8 in	102.4 in	61 / 61 in	3,466 lb

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 Eco dynamics	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	29 / 35 / 31	0%	$2,150	287
Soul	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	28 / 33 / 30	-3%	$2,250	302
Soul	1.6L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM-S7)	Front-Wheel Drive	27 / 32 / 29	-6%	$2,300	309
Soul	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	25 / 31 / 27	-13%	$2,500	332

7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

7/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

31 MPG2021 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2021 Kia Soul SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	14.7%

StandardElectronic stability control

OptionalForward collision warning

OptionalLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2021 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2021 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 small station wagons

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2021 Kia Soul (this car)	31 MPG	★★★★★	2
2021 Honda HR-V	30 MPG	★★★★★	4
2021 Kia Niro	50 MPG	★★★★★	2
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV	259 mi	★★★★★	5
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport	28 MPG	★★★★★	1

Recalls (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Feb 17, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V099000 · 137,256 vehicles

Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.

Engine · Apr 13, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V259000 · 147,249 vehicles

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Kia Soul is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

239Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

12Involved a crash

3Involved a fire

5Injuries reported

65,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Engine139

Engine And Engine Cooling46

Unknown Or Other27

Power Train26

Electrical System15

Service Brakes10

Fuel/Propulsion System10

Steering9

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Kia Soul buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Engine — 139 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Engine And Engine Cooling — 46 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Power Train — 26 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 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 2021 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
2020 Soul	31	165.4 in	★★★★★	1	388
2019 Soul	28	163 in	★★★★★	3	141
2018 Soul	28	163 in	★★★★★	3	223
2017 Soul	28	163 in	★★★★★	3	290
2016 Soul	27	163 in	★★★★★	5	824
2015 Soul	26	163 in	★★★★★	7	907
2014 Soul	26	163 in	★★★★★	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 →