DecodedCars2023 Kia Soul
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 5dr Hatch, EV Limited 5dr Hatch, EV Premium 5dr Hatch
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 147 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- 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
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2023 Kia Soul is a small station wagon offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine 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), 1% better than the 2023 small station wagon average of 30.8 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2023
- Engine dropped: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 Soul →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Gwang-Ju, South Korea
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2023 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 | +1% | $2,150 | 287 |
| Soul | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 33 / 30 | -3% | $2,250 | 301 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.7% |
Similar 2023 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Soul (this car) | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2023 Kia Niro | 53 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV | 247 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 259 mi | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (4)
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.
Air Bags · Dec 22, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V830000 · 2,967 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Fluid/Lubricant › Pump · Jul 31, 2023 Park outside
NHTSA campaign 23V531000 · 39,765 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
- Risk
- An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Apr 26, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V298000 · 108,936 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
- Risk
- A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
Not every 2023 Kia Soul is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2023 Kia Soul buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Engine — 14 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 8 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,000 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 2023 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 →