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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2010 Kia Soul

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Kia Soul

Overview

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2010 Kia Soul Review

By KBB.com Editors

With the arrival of the 2010 Kia Soul and 2009 Nissan Cube, the original Scion xB becomes the progenitor of a bona fide little sub-segment defined by funky practicality. Surely, there's a good chance the Soul and Cube wouldn't be here today - in this country, anyway - if not for the success of the original box on wheels. While the Nissan Cube is more reminiscent of the smaller, first-generation xB, the Kia Soul is a more direct competitor to the latest xB. Does the Soul's mix of style, value and technology make it the right choice for you? Keep reading to find out.

You'll Like This Car If...

Versatility and affordability are admirable qualities in a car, but they sound so boring. The 2010 Kia Soul wraps both in look-at-me styling, creating a vehicle that combines niche appeal with well-rounded practicality.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for zip, you'll have to look elsewhere (outside the category, really). A four-speed automatic transmission doesn't help matters, and the Soul's highway mpg rating of 30 mpg (31 mpg for the smaller, less powerful base model) isn't anything to write home about.

What's Significant About This Car?

The arrival of the Kia Soul puts an end to Scion's near monopoly on economical, versatile, boldly styled cars aimed directly at the younger set.

Driving the Soul

Driving Impressions The 2010 Kia Soul is interesting to look at, roomy for people or cargo and offers an impressive array of audio and connectivity features. Less notable is the way it...

drives: like a run-of-the-mill economy car. It isn't particularly slow (although we haven't driven a base model with the smaller engine) or ill-handling, but the driving experience doesn't live up to the car's otherwise playful demeanor. The five-speed manual transmission doesn't offer the kind of car-driver connection you might want from a manual, and the four-speed automatic is at least one speed shy of flexible. Would the driving experience keep us from buying a 2010 Kia Soul? Absolutely not. Around town and on the highway, the 2010 Kia Soul is as easy and as comfortable as some of today's better compact cars. Just don't expect it inspire you to take the fun way home.

Favorite Features

Comprehensive Audio System
The 2010 Kia Soul base model might be hampered with small steel wheels and a lack remote keyless entry, but Kia saw fit to make sure every single Soul has a full-featured AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat/Aux/USB audio system. That's cool.

iPod Bin
The 2010 Kia Soul has the best iPod station we've seen (outside of another Kia or Hyundai): an open bin, in plain view and within easy reach, with readily accessible power and connection ports.

2010 Kia Soul Details

Interior

The first thing new Soul owners show their friends are the available speaker lights in the front door speakers, which pulse to the beat of the music or cycle softly with adjustable intensity. Far more important in the long run are the Soul's overall interior design and quality, which we find especially impressive for a car that starts under $14,000. One of our favorite features is the front-and-center iPod bin, detailed further in the Favorite Features section of this review. The 2010 Kia Soul sport is offered exclusively with a very red-themed interior, our favorite part of which is the red glove box interior that makes it easier to see what's inside. Not surprisingly, the tall, boxy 2010 Kia Soul is a roomy and versatile little car.

Exterior

We like the simultaneously sporty, quirky and utilitarian look of the 2010 Kia Soul. We like it much better, of course, with the range-topping 18-inch five-spoke wheels than the base model's 15-inch covered steel wheels. The entry Soul is also hindered by black door handles and mirrors in contrast with body-color pieces across the rest of the line. At the opposite end of the price spectrum, the 2010 Kia Soul sport is distinguished visually by unique front and rear fascias and side sills.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

For a Lincoln less than $14,000, the 2010 Kia Soul offers a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power windows and locks, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat/Aux/USB audio system and an impressive list of standard safety equipment that includes six airbags and electronic stability control.

Optional Equipment

Check all the option boxes and your 2010 Kia Soul will include a 142-horsepower engine, four-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, moonroof, upgraded audio system, leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control and Bluetooth phone connectivity. The Soul sport gets a sport-tuned suspension, unique front, rear and side styling elements, metal-finish pedals and interior accents, and a red/black interior color scheme.

Under the Hood

Although the base model 2010 Kia Soul features a smaller 1.6-liter engine that's paired only with a five-speed manual transmission, Kia doesn't anticipate selling too many. And we probably wouldn't buy it, either. Most 2010 Kia Souls will feature a 2.0-liter engine, offered with a four-speed automatic or the five-speed manual.

1.6-liter in-line four
122 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
115 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/31

2.0-liter in-line four
142 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
137 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Kia Soul vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

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2010 Kia Soul Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.4

Out of 10

Based on 211 Ratings for the 2010 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.5/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

8.4/10
Comfort

8.5/10

Styling

8.9/10

dissappointed

By roz (TX) on Monday, May 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "unique design, for under $15k"

Cons: "gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"Overall I like the KIA Soul,however the gas mileage is very disappointing for a 1.5 L with barely 25mpg in city , my '06 focus with a 2.0L does better @ 28 mpg and a '13 Fiesta with 1.8 L is doing 35 mpg. The Kia gas rebate for misleading stated city mpg is a pain to go through. I plan on selling the car immediate future."

4 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Fun to Drive

By ShoePuppy (WI) on Friday, May 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 400

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Price, space, standard features, great looks"

Cons: "so far none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I bought this car a little over a month ago. I bought the base which has everything I need. The only option I purchased was 16" alloy wheels. The smaller engine has plenty of pep, and so far I am averaging 29 mpg. Since I only drive in the city, max of 40 mph, with most of it being 25, that is not so bad. Can't wait to break it in and try a road trip. Very agile and fun to drive. I like the stiffer suspension. It is very quiet and so far love it!"

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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I loved my car!

By Jaime Kia Soul Lover (TX) on Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 8,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "space inside for small vehicl, luxuries for price"

Cons: "gas mileage not what advertised, no lumbar support"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I had a 2012 Kia Soul !. I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, I was hit while driving and flipped it. Let me just say, the car held up immaculately and did not fall apart after rolling (see picture). I was not seriously hurt. Overall, I loved the car. My issues were: I only got about 27 MPG instead of the 29-40 it showed on the sticker, and there was no-lumbar support in the drivers seat. When I bought the car, I also bought the maintenance plan. I highly recommend it. It will keep your car running great without you having to pay for the oil changes and tune-ups that are required to maintain a vehicle."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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The 2013 KIA Soul Exclaim really "wowed me" !

By SoulFULL (CA) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Really, really a lot for your money..."

Cons: "MPG is not great for a small car...but OK!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"And it still does every time I drive it! I bought a made in USA KIA Sorento SX for my wife and then a Soul plus for my college daughter....and have been so impressed by KIA that I bought my first "foreign" car in my 40 years of driving! A 2013 Soul Exclaim. Seriously...the quality, value, assembly, reliability, supurb paint and nice amenities are great...but reliability and mileage are terrific too. And the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty is icing on the cake! And the fact that it has unique looks and styling up the wazoo means that you're not "into" driving the ordinary compact cars that you see filling the local shopping center. You can actually pick out your car in a crowded parking lot without a blood hound helping you! My Soul is comfortable, easy to get in and out of, roomy and as I said..well appointed. Seriously packed with a (Exclaim Model) 350 watt Infinity 8 speaker stereo with a separate amp, voice activated (UVO by Microsoft!) radio, stereo, phone, etc! Huge nice 18" unique alloy wheels and performance all season tires, fog lights, projector headlights, led front and rear lighting, standard moon roof, power folding mirrors, etc, etc! Mine is a beautiful Moss Pearl Paint...really terrific paint job. And the upcoming 2014 KIA Soul has been updated and slightly restyled...go to one of the many KIA Soul Owners Forums like I did to research more info on them."

4 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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2 years and not one problem

By Joe (NJ) on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Most value for the money"

Cons: "Mileage not what promised but good"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My 2011 Kia Soul! is probably the best new car I have ever purchased and I have owned almost every brand of car since I started driving!. Never had to return to the dealer for any problems. I love driving it and am impressed how easy to get in and out with plenty of headroom and space. The backseat can fit people with plenty of knee room and head room. With the rear seats folded, there is abundant carrying space! As soon as I test drove one, I knew it was the perfect car with all the accessories I wanted!"

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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bought in 2012 sold in 2013

By Chic (TX) on Thursday, April 04, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: not a good car - My approximate mileage is 5,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 6/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 3/10

Pros: "Nice color, nice look cute car....."

Cons: "Made cheap, depreciation, road noise,"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I bought a loaded Kia ! in October of 2012. Big Mistake!!! This is the roughest riding car I ever owned. The paperwork said I would get 29 miles to the gallon on gas never got over 23 miles to the gallon. And don't drive it when it's windy cause its hard to hold on the road. Lot's of road noise just a cheaply made car all around. We only kept it about 5 months and were constantly pressing parts back on the enterior. The transmission has allready started slipping only put 5000 miles on it in 5 months. Hardly drove it except to work and back. Terrible not worth the money the dealership wants you to pay."

10 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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See all 211 reviews