Kia Soul vs. VW Golf Comparison

The 2021 Kia Soul and 2021 Volkswagen Golf are hatchbacks that are both practical and sporty. How do they match up?

2021 Kia Soul

2021 Kia Soul Starting Price: $18,610 | Price Yours or View Listings Near You

Above Average: Roomy, unique looking, and fun to drive.

Below Average: All-wheel drive isn’t an option, even in the “off-road inspired” Soul X-Line.

Consensus: Cool looks and loads of practicality make the 2021 Kia Soul a fun hatch at a value price. The sporty Turbo trim level provides great power to go along with the Soul’s fun-to-drive character.

2021 Volkswagen Golf

2021 Volkswagen Golf Starting Price: $24,190 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Excellent handling and plenty of practicality; great manual transmission; advanced driver assists come standard.

Below Average: Higher base price than other hatchbacks; best performance is in much costlier GTI; no all-wheel drive option.

Consensus: While this generation of the Volkswagen Golf is long in the tooth, its blend of refinement and practicality justifies the higher price. It also boasts great handling in the European tradition.

Soul vs. Golf: Fun 4-Door Hatchbacks

Kia Soul

All-new just last year, the Kia Soul is a great blend of cool attitude and impressive practicality, now with new styling and more features. The hatchback layout creates a huge SUV-like cargo space. The LX model starts at a reasonable $18,610, and the Soul lineup has a wide range of models, including a rugged-looking X-Line model. The base engine performs admirably, thanks to the well-tuned continuously variable automatic transmission. But if you want something sportier, consider the 201-hp Turbo, with a sport-tuned suspension. The Kia Soul has a wide range of standard features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 7-inch touch screen, and a fantastic 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has long been the benchmark for hot hatches, thanks to the legendary GTI. If you want the GTI, be prepared to pay at least $30,000. However, the regular Golf has plenty to offer, too. It benefits from some of the GTI’s traits, including excellent steering and handling. The Golf is a practical hatchback, with room for five people and a good-size cargo area. Features such as forward-collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert are standard, as is smartphone integration. As there is only one trim level for the Golf – the TSI – your only option is an 8-speed automatic transmission. For all other options, you’ll have to step up to the GTI.

Similarities

Four-door hatchbacks that are sporty and practical. You have to spend around $30,000 to get a more powerful engine.

Kia Soul Advantages

Excellent value with more features for the money; plenty of trim levels to choose from; low 5-Year Cost to Own; roomier interior; more cargo space

Volkswagen Golf Advantages

Taut handling; high-quality interior; advanced driver assists come standard; terrific GTI model.

Final Recommendation

If you want the Euro-inspired response and fun of the Volkswagen Golf, more features come standard – at a base price that’s $5,000 higher than the Soul. We like the Soul here as a practical alternative at a more affordable price, although you have to go up one trim level from the base model to get advanced driver assists. The Soul also boasts more model choices and lower KBB 5-Year Cost to Own figures.

Ready to buy a Kia Soul or Volkswagen Golf? Shop now for one on sale near you.