2024 Kia Soul: Still the King of Subcompact SUVs
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Subcompact SUVs are among the finest examples of “big things come in small packages.” Such is the case with the 2024 Kia Soul, a small but mighty SUV that is somewhat like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants but for drivers. People find that the extra small Kia is good for those who need a lot of cargo space, tall drivers who need extra room up top, and even short drivers who have to adjust the seat quite a bit.
Affordability, fuel efficiency, and space: Why the Soul is still the king
One of the biggest strengths of the 2024 Kia Soul is its low entry price. In a world where affordability and new cars no longer mix, this subcompact SUV is holding firm. The base level Soul LX is only $19,990 and comes pretty well equipped from the factory, while a fully loaded EX is $24,290.
Kia uses a 2.0L four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque for the LX, S, and GT-Line. That engine gets an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The EX trim uses the same engine but has better fuel economy. Kia’s EX Soul gets 19 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
| 2024 Kia Soul Trim | MSRP | EPA MPG Estimates (City/Highway/ Combined) |
|---|---|---|
| LX | $19,990 | 27/33/30 MPG |
| S | $22,490 | 27/33/30 MPG |
| GT-Line | $23,590 | 27/33/30 MPG |
| EX | $24,290 | 29/35/31 MPG |
For the most part, the 2024 Soul has between 23.4 cubic feet and 24.2 cubic feet of space in the back. Kia offers some cargo space solutions like a dual-level cargo floor to increase the space. With both seats folded, the Soul has 62.1 cubic feet to fill with whatever you want to tote around. That’s better than many bigger SUVs!
The 2024 Kia Soul offers a long list of standard features
If there is one thing we love about an extra-small SUV like the 2024 Kia Soul, it is a long list of standard features. Especially if that means standard driver-assistance features. All 2024 Soul trim levels get the following safety systems:
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Lane Following Assist
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- Driver Attention Warning
- Rear Occupant Alert
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance doesn’t come on the base LX trim, nor does it get Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. If there is room in the budget for the $22,490 S trim, you’ll get all the available systems standard. Dual Front Advanced Airbags, Dual Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags, and Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags are also on all models.
The Kia Soul’s boxy styling set it apart
If you have never been inside the 2024 Kia Soul, the space is actually a lot more versatile than it looks. Without the sunroof, the Soul has 39.9 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear. That’s pretty good for a subcompact SUV! That goes down to 38.3 / 39.5 inches with the sunroof, but it still has more room than expected.
The shoulder room is 55.5 inches in the front (54.7 inches in the rear), along with 41.1 inches of legroom in the front (38.8 in the rear). The boxy shape means that even though the Soul is small, it has a lot of versatile space throughout the cabin.
Don’t forget that the Kia Soul comes with a standard 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, one of the best warranties in the business. So, if you’re looking for a subcompact SUV that’s affordable, fuel-efficient, and oddly spacious, the boxy, often-overlooked 2024 Kia Soul has that winning combination.
