Subcompact SUVs are among the last vestiges of the affordable car. At a time when the cost of the average new car is nearly $50,000, it’s great to still have choices that cost less than half that. Even better is to see a couple of sub-$25,000 models that bring enticing design, all the modern safety and tech features, and — at least for one of these — the option of all-wheel drive (AWD).
The two in focus here are the 2025 Kia Soul and 2025 Nissan Kicks. Here’s how these two attractive, efficient, and economical subcompact SUVs compare.
2025 Kia Soul
Ever since its debut 15 years ago, the Kia Soul has stood out for its funky design, amazing value proposition, and scrappy attitude. All those traits are still present for the 2025 model year. What you might not guess from looking at the Soul’s tidy exterior footprint is its bigger-than-you-think interior space. With the rear seats folded, the Soul boasts 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space — that would be impressive for an SUV a size up. And despite being Kia’s smallest and least expensive SUV, the Soul offers similarly surprising tech and safety features.
Kia Soul Highlights
Adaptive Cruise Control: Once you’ve experienced adaptive cruise control, it’s hard to go back to just the normal version. Hence its name, this system automatically adjusts the Soul’s speed to pace the vehicle in front of it. Available on the GT-Line, this system even uses the built-in navigation system to anticipate what it should do, such as adjusting for a curve in the highway.
Impressive tech: Despite its low price, the Soul comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and all but the base version comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Yet even the 8-inch screen on base models is impressive and larger than the 7-inch units found in the base Kicks model. Surprisingly, the Kicks S base trim doesn’t include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Harman Kardon audio: A premium Harman Kardon audio system in a value-oriented subcompact SUV? The answer is yes if it’s the Kia Soul. This ear-pleasing 10-speaker system is optional on GT-Line and EX models.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Soul models for sale near you.
2025 Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks launched in 2018 as the brand’s least-expensive SUV and became an immediate hit. The Nissan Kicks is all-new for 2025 and now in its second generation. For the first time, the Kicks also offers all-wheel drive (AWD) — something that the Soul doesn’t offer at all. For its revamp, the Kicks also brings fresh new style with vibrant colors, new technology, and even more safety systems.
Nissan Kicks Highlights
Nissan Safety Shield 360: Standard on every Kicks model, this suite includes active safety features like front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and more.
12.3-inch touchscreen: The two upper trims of the 2025 Kicks bring a prominent 12.3-inch touchscreen, along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a wireless charging pad. These features alone make the SV or SR trims of the Kicks the ones we’d recommend.
Bose audio: The Kicks also offers a premium audio system. In this case, it’s a 10-speaker Bose system that’s optional in the SR model.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kicks models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Kia Soul and Nissan Kicks are both subcompact SUVs with seating for five, similar cargo capacity, fuel economy of up to 31 mpg combined, and value pricing.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Soul vehicles and New 2025 Nissan Kicks vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia Soul | 2025 Nissan Kicks | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 141 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 140 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, i-VT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 27 city/33 highway/30 combined mpg | 28 city/35 highway/31 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 inches | 104.6 inches |
| Overall Length | 165.2 inches | 171.9 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 63.0 inches | N/A |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | N/A |
| Headroom, Front | 39.9 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.5 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 42.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.8 inches | 34.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.5 inches | 54.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 54.7 inches | 54.7 inches |
| Cargo capacity | 62.1 cubic feet | 30.0 cubic feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
Despite the Kia Soul being the veteran here and the Kicks being all-new for 2025, this is a closer match than we anticipated. If value is the utmost priority, we give the nod to the Soul, which has a lower starting price, more horsepower, better tech in the base model, and Kia’s unbeatable warranty that includes 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain. The Kicks, meanwhile, offers something no Soul does — all-wheel drive — a larger touchscreen in higher trims, and more traditional SUV looks. Now that you know these details, we recommend figuring out your budget, test driving both, and seeing which feels right for you.
