Toyota presented the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross in 2022. It is a subcompact named for its worldwide, best-selling car. The new Cross is an appealing SUV with value-oriented pricing, plenty of passenger space, and an impressive array of driver assists. It doesn’t offer the most exciting driving experience, but those who value style and safety should be pretty happy with it. Does it have what it takes to grab the top seat in the class from the 2022 Kia Soul?

Powertrain, performance, and fuel economy

All Corolla Cross models get the same powertrain. According to U.S. News, it’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 169 hp output. It’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive standard with available all-wheel drive. Acceleration is sluggish with a lot of engine buzz, particularly under pressure.

There are two powertrain options with the Kia Soul. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a power output of 147 hp. It also gets a CVT. It may not be super athletic, but it doesn’t feel lacking. Turbo models get a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed automatic transmission that jumps off the line.

The Soul’s turbo beats the Cross by 32 hp and 44 lb-ft of torque. The latest Soul also holds 1.9 gallons more gas than the Cross FWD for a more extended range. It contains 1.1 gallons more than the AWD Cross.

Exterior and specs

The Toyota Corolla Cross is a proper SUV while the Kia Soul is a hatchback. The Cross is 10 inches longer than Soul and about an inch wider with a slightly longer wheelbase. The Cross is also almost two inches taller than Soul. Understandably, the Cross has a more considerable curb weight at 3,125 lbs vs 2,844 lbs for the Kia Soul. 

Since the Cross is a Corolla variant, there’s some choice of body style. According to Car and Driver, the Kia Soul has edgy styling, making it stand out in a sea of SUVs in today’s market. The styling is so iconic that it doesn’t seem to need the rear spoiler it lacks that the Cross offers.

Interior and cargo

The 2022 Kia Soul has several advantages over the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross when it comes to the cabin. You get a remote starting system with the Soul. Turbo models get a standard heads-up display that projects data in the driver’s line of sight. Neither of these features is offered with the Cross.

You get automatic headlight on/off feature standard across the Soul lineup. You can get them with the Cross but only standard with the LE or XLE. You can also get a heated steering wheel with the Kia Soul but not the Corolla Cross.

You can’t get a navigation system or real-time traffic updates with the Cross. You can get standard GPS navigation with real-time traffic alerts and alternative route directions on X-Line, S, EX,  GT-Line, and Turbo models with the Soul.

While both SUVs seat five, there are 7.3 cubic feet more passenger space in the Soul (102.2 cubic feet) than the Cross (94.9 cubic feet). According to Car and Driver, both feature a generous cargo hold, but the Toyota wins with its vast cargo area.

Safety, warranty, and price

Both SUVs offer standard safety features like a full slate of airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, electronic stability systems, traction control, and rearview camera systems. Only the Cross offers rear-side airbags. 

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross features standard adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alerts, along with lane-keep assist. The Cross doesn’t offer either blind-spot monitoring or daytime running lights at all. The Cross also doesn’t provide a back-seat reminder system or driver alert monitor, while the 2022 Kia Soul does.

You get a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty with the Cross good for two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Soul’s warranty is for five years/60,000 for the entire truck. You also get 24-hour roadside assistance.

The Soul’s powertrain warranty has five years and 40,000 miles beyond the Toyota. Engine repairs are covered for ten years and 100,000 for the Soul, while the Cross gets just five years or 60,000 miles.

The starting MSRP for the Corolla Cross is $22,195. The Soul starts at $19,190. While the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross has a lot going for it, it can’t match the 2022 Kia Soul. It’s a better value, eye-catching, and offers many things the Cross doesn’t.