USED Kia Soul? Check For These Issues Before Buying (SHOP SMART!)

[@handsome18]

I just purchased a 2019 red Kia Soul. 39,000 miles. I just love the room inside. I like all the bells and whistles My son is 7 and he loves it. I had a 2011 Nissan Maxima. And I can say I like the Kia better. Wish me luck yall.

[@nodak81]

I'm looking at a 2019 with 9,000 miles. It's a base model but all I really care about is an automatic and A/C. Nice having 50k miles left on the warranty! Although it would be nice if Kia would honor the full 100k warranty to subsequent owners.

[@SomebodyRandom717]

I might be getting one soon, do you still like yours after a few months?

[@Forever-ry1nr]

Good luck. My fiance and I just bought a 2015 Soul today. With 39, 000 kilometers on it funny enough

[@SomebodyRandom717]

@@oneheart19 Just wanted to say thank you for your reply! I just picked up my soul yesterday, and I LOVE it!

[@oneheart19]

@@SomebodyRandom717 Yay! Enjoy!

[@ginojurman5247]

My 2013 soul + 150,000 miles 2.0 engine Just regular maintenance done on car The only brake down with the car was a flat tire love it

[@brianbartow4947]

I have a 2015 Kia Soul 2.0 liter. I bought the car new, it now has 95,000 miles. 7 years of trouble free reliability. Thank you for the video.

[@seanschmidt7195]

I bought a used 2011 Kia Soul in 2014 that had 34,000 on it. I still own it today (gave it to my mother in law 1 year ago) it now has 112,000 miles on it. I have only replaced the brakes, rotors ( 1 time ) the battery twice, drivers side headlight lamp probably about 4 times and tires. Absolutely amazing for a 4 banger. Bought my wife a 2019. The white with the red roof.

[@kaskahea1274]

thank you for sharing

[@killbillthunderpop1244]

I bought a 2011 Kia Soul in 2015 with 34,000 (I swear!) and same thing, nearly problem free, up to 92K, still rolling. I found out it was made in Korea, not the American version, I guess that makes a difference in quality.

[@coolnavy5339]

Nice you still have your kia soul

[@seansgonewrong]

I just bought my grandmas 2013 kia soul with about 40k miles on it(its currently 2023 for anyone reading in the future). Only thing im concerned about is the trend in kia thefts.

[@thepixelstudio5382]

I just want to buy a kia 2014 with 1,50000 miles on it and i am a student so would you guys suggest me to take that it cost 3500$

[@shep53]

My sister bought a 2013 which she is still driving with no problems . We started with a Kia Optima 2001. Drove it until 2016 . Didn't see an Optima we liked , but for less money , we did buy a new Kia Soul after liking my sister's . I am retiring and we were offered a good trade in on a new 2023 if we were willing to wait . So we ordered what we wanted and waited two months . It was worth the wait . My wife got the color she wanted and , well happy wife happy life .LOL ! Seriously, I love the new looks inside and out . The dash doesn't look like someone stuck an I pad into the dash . We did contemplate other brands , but I was unwilling to pay 5-10,000 more for less car , less warranty and less trade in . We are extremely happy with the surf blue with the black top in the GT package . Twenty two years a happy Kia owner . Oh and the 2001 Optima ? My Granddaughter is still driving it with just over 300,000 miles on it !

[@barackmycat9448]

I bought mine new in 2016. 72k miles I got the plain Jane model.. No problems yet. I love it.

[@austinhymel1069]

I got my 2018 Soul with 8 miles on the odometer. Now I'm closing in on 30k miles. Hands down my favorite car to drive out of my family's fleet. It's so easy to drive and parking spaces are easy to get into especially backing in. When I'm getting on the interstate, I can turn on sport mode and surprise people on the road. It hooks up and goes for s boxy FWD car. This is definitely the car that I will try to keep for as long as it runs.

[@princesa2180]

I just bought the 2016 and I find it eats gas. I have to fill up every 2 days!

[@barackmycat9448]

@@princesa2180 I have about 84k . What is the mileage? I get about 34 summer and 30 in under 20 degree weather. This is hilly country roads.

[@proudprogressive4849]

If you got yours with 72k miles then its not new, its used. New is 15k miles or lower.

[@robfninh]

@@proudprogressive4849 I bought new. It had 20 miles. Right now I am at 84k

[@jule12ify]

Im going to test drive a 2016 soul tomorrow. It will be my first car and Im already in love can’t wait till I finally drive it lol

[@davions3427]

I hope you are enjoying it, I am looking to buy a 2018 Kia Soul Plus (also my first car), have you noticed or had any problems so far!!

[@SektorMK22]

@@davions3427 I recently got 2016 Manual one. With 20000 miles. So far amazing

[@buskerjames]

I own a 2016 Kia Soul I love it and trading up to a 2021 very soon

[@samone_13]

@@davions3427 I got the 2018 and I love my Kia I havent had any issues so far

[@Yeiyn343]

My first car ever was the Kia Soul 2014+ and I love it, and am still driving it. :-) I honestly don't have any plan of getting the new ones, because they are turning it into a plastic Honda Civic. I'm more old-fashioned. :-)

[@DrWho44]

My sis got kia soul petrol when it was first released in the market in 2008. She still has it and her son now drives long distance regularly. It's nearly 200,000 mileage but still going strong. She never had any major breakdown, just regular maintenance. I want to have kia soul ev.

[@rach2111]

I had a 2014 Soul, until a week ago when some jerk rear ended me. I'm now looking at a newer soul. I loved it, smooth ride, comfortable to travel in. We had a lot of fun in that car. It will be missed.

[@aishayassy412]

I’m thinking about getting a 2015 soul. My whole family is against it since it’s salvaged. Did you have any issues with the engine?

[@cocoaskinn1897]

@@aishayassy412 I would watch more videos on it

[@donneary7104]

Rach. I bought a 2014 Soul new. I love it still. Great car with zero problems. I've only replaced the battery recently because it was 6 years old. My wife's old Honda 2001 Civic got rear ended as well. It was a good excuse to give her my 2014 Soul and I treat myself to brand new 2021 Soul. Now, we are a two Soul Family. The KIA Soul is a fun car to drive and it has its own style. It's kind of like my first new car I ever owned , a 1968 VW Bug. Over the years I've had about 15-20 different cars and brands. I've owned American, German, Japanese, even a 1976 MGB from England. After 60 years of driving experience, I love the whole concept of the KIA Soul.

[@Newlinjim]

@@donneary7104 keep us updated on the CVT performance/reliablity as all the new models are going to these.

[@donneary7104]

@@Newlinjim OK..Will do.. So far in the first 2 months I've got 1,000 on it and I'm averaging 33 MPG with 80% city driving. Hiway driving alone appears to be 37MPG.. I'll up this notice in the future. Kia calls this transmission IVT. (Intelligent Variable Transmission) On 2021 Kia Soul LX model I own.

[@MsMcCoolio1221]

I have a 2013 Soul - still running strong 122,000 miles - it’s driven across the country a few times. As a previous owner of lots of cars- this one is my favorite!! I bought it as a Used car in 2013, one other owner. Love it!! 💜

[@theadvocate4698]

This is the info the public needs! I just love this kind of video, it gives us a feeling about brand reliability, info that people needs, thanks man!

[@ptg7712]

Just bought a 2019 + for my wife. She had to have one and in Alien Green. She loves the car. I like the warranty.

[@neilbruce123]

I bought a 2017 last year with all the bells and whistles.It was the ex.It had 14.100 miles on it.all by one owner.After 1 year of driving it I have 18856 miles on it.I got the car plus the top of the line extended warranty with tax and all for $15,500. I just had the one year inspection and a new sticker.I have had the oil and filter changed once.The only thing I have replaced is the two batteries in the key fobs.It has push button start and navigation,etc.No issues at all and it goes well in the snow.I love it.The only thing I really miss is heated side mirrors.It was by far the best small car I drove and has tons of room inside.It a great small car and a 9 hours drive,you will get out and not be a bit tired.It rides great and has plenty of power in the 2.0 automatic.I like the regular and sport mode which both get better gas mileage in the city then the economy mode.Cruise control is spot on.It is easy to get in and out of.You will see a lot of 50 and over crowd in them because it it the perfect height for drive throughs.atms and banking.Love the headlights and fog lights.Visibility all around is above average.It is not a sports car by any means.But it is fun to drive.Mine looks just like this in one and RED too.

[@bluesky4385]

Same for me I love my red 2019 Soul that I bought new, trading in the 2013 Soul as the 2019 was a little bigger. No problems with either of these Soul's. I did find the 2019 gets better gas mileage than the 2013 did So some improvements must have been made on the 2nd generation Soul's.

[@ritamoon2161]

I bought a year old Kia Soul in 2016 and its the best car I've ever had.

[@darlajclemons]

I have had several issues with my 2015 Kia Soul Exclaim. It has all the bells and whistles. The center dash speaker housing kept popping up, but they fixed it. The windshield whistled annoyingly when driving on the highway, but only at 75 degrees or higher. Took a while for them to find the issue, but they did and they fixed it permanently. Then, at about 36,000 the engine blew a rod. There is an issue with burrs that only affect a very small percentage of 2014-2015 units. Kia gave me a loaner for the 3 months it took them to get a new engine in. The Credenza, their top of the line car! Since then, I have had no issues. Best thing about owning a Kia is the way they take care of their customers.

[@donneary7104]

Mrs WillC. I agree with the treatment on KIA customer service from the manufacture and my local dealer is exceptionally good and professional. It reflects in their KIA sales as it's the largest dealer in my State.

[@teacherjansfavorites]

We just got a 2014 Soul about a month ago from Carmax and we love it!

[@tobiascalvert3757]

I had a 2013 Soul Plus. With exceptions road noise and a rough ride on course road surfaces, I highly recommend this car. I only just traded it in last fall. So, for about 7 years it was my daily driver. Easy to drive and park and super practical. I don't know about the newest model years, but mine had a trap food sort of storage compartment below the rear deck. One downer. No spare tire. Only that stupid kit. If you get a flat, you better be having good cell reception!

[@HealthConsciousPlus]

Thank you guys for your input. Looking to get a 2014 Kia Soul tomorrow. The reviews are really a great help.

[@sherrisonnier1857]

2012 Kia soul 6 speed standard has 189,000 miles and still gets gets 29 to 30 mpg. I have a new 2019 Toyota chr and I still prefer my Kia. It is just fun to drive.

[@Welcome_2_the_candy_shop]

I'm glad I came across this VIDEO! Im thinking on buying a 2015 or 2016 Kia Soul just making sure I get MORE knowledge and information before buying. Thank u Justin, very informative video😁

[@igronDC]

Did you buy it eventually?

[@billyvon666]

Just bought my 2016 Kia soul plus. I love it.38.000 miles.

[@Capris9x]

I’m watching this after purchasing my Kia Soul 2016 with 37,000 kms. Will go pick it up in about 3 days.

[@nikkigolightlygames]

Bought a 2018 Kia Soul Turbo with 26 miles on it in July of 2018. Love it. I did not get the tech package per no need for a moon roof and all the other stuff. Drives like a dream and I get 34 miles per gallon.

[@missali2u]

I’m thinking about getting one for my first car! How would you say the maintenance is on your vehicle? And do you live in a snowy area?

[@nikkigolightlygames]

@@missali2u So far only oil changes that cost $35 and I live in Oregon so she handles perfectly on ice, snow and rainy days. I never use studded tires. I do have my tires sipped by Les Schwab for better traction and less wear. It also helps the tires run cooler.

[@sibco96]

I have a 2015 2.0 liter automatic and it was trouble free for the first 4 years, other than the excessive oil consumption, which I first noticed at around 50K miles and has now reached up to a quart a week driving about 600 miles a week. At year 4 it needed a catalytic converter and starter, which were $2000 at the dealer. At year 5 and 148,000 miles, it needs ignition coils, which are cheap and very easy to do yourself. I'll be changing them tomorrow along with new iridium plugs. Overall, it's a great cheap car if you're willing to top off the oil every week religiously. Mine still averages over 30 mpg with mostly highway driving.

[@trinafirey1175]

I wouldn’t say $17,000 is a cheap car. It took me 5 years to pay for it.

[@coolnavy5339]

Nice to hear

[@johnathansteil8186]

@Midsnaps Na it is a design flaw with how Kia placed the manifold. Cat gets plugged because the engines are full of carbon. You can replace the Cat, but a year down the road you will be replacing the engine. Just fix the Cat and trade it in.

[@innerg.oracle]

Still running or?

[@sibco96]

@@innerg.oracle I ended up selling it not long after that comment 2 years ago. The oil pressure light started flickering at idle and then staying on in the lower 2000 rpms (oil level was not low), so I knew the end was near. I traded it in while it still ran. I've heard too many bad stories with the GDI engines to ever risk getting one again. The pre-GDI engines seem to live a lot longer.

[@richardpalmanteer9798]

I just purchased a 2013 KIA Soul base model manual transmission 6 speed drove over our highway which has come sharp curves and up's and down's it preformed quite well Puchased Friday Aug 5th. 126 Thousand miles on it. The test drive went well it accelerated, brakes were responsive. With the base model it doesn't have cruse control but I've driven older cars and trucks back in the day that didn't have them at all. Wasn't really a issue. Yes, the seats are a little hard too. Just have to get a woopy cushion lol Ok thanks for the information.

[@emmytheghost627]

A year later, is it still working?

[@cteal2018]

Have a 2014 Soul..it was used as a Taxi for the first 120k miles...has 150k now...only needed basic maintenance...great car.

[@emmytheghost627]

2 years later, dit it break?

[@cowboy87401]

I just bought a 2016 soul with the premium package. I love this car. It drives like a dream.

[@johnfaulkner6776]

I have a 2018 30kwh Kia Soul EV. Best car I have ever had and I've had lots cos I'm old! Its cheap to run too.

[@sc3ku]

Ours is great at 83k but a number of issues I will share: 1) Just had the steering knuckle recall done- ours came totally loose. Also had the Headlight switch recall done as it was flickering. 2) Oil consumption started heavy around 75k. Many Direct Injection engines have this problem- keep it topped off! We had carbon buildup removed from the intake valves and the problem appears to have ceased entirely for now. The ECU flash “improvement campaign” is a MUST- it extends the power train warranty, and in case you run low on oil, it triggers limp home mode early. 3) we just replaced the factory alternator at 82k- auto parts stores wanted $450! Expensive on these cars. Got a new one on Rockauto for $250 and replaced it in 20 mins in our driveway.

[@phil562]

"We had carbon buildup removed from the intake valves and the problem appears to have ceased entirely for now. " How did you do this and did it stop the excess oil usage?

[@monhnaeharris7323]

My 2018 kia soul is now having the problem with oil consumption. I get the check oil and engine light on ever so often. My mechanic suggested that I take it to a Kia dealership but God only knows how much this will be. He even said to fix the source of the problem, I'd need a new engine - there is no way.....

[@MwClipsandmoments]

My kia had this issue and with my 2014 model the dealership told us to lock it up and replace the whole engine it’s a known issue they have and will repeatedly happen until actually fixed.

[@MwClipsandmoments]

@@monhnaeharris7323 the warranty that Kia the company has put on it may cover it if you look into the engine coverage

[@jaxturner7288]

@@monhnaeharris7323 you got 100 k on it already? Why is that repair cost your concern? Or are you the second owner and over 60k?

[@mjhammer11]

I owned a 2012 since 2015, 27000 miles when bought. Never a single problem. I loved it so much I gave the 2012, who's been driving my 2000 Ford Ranger, and can hardly get in and out, to my wife and I purchased a 2018 Soul Plus with the Primo Lit package, and man do I love it. This video was good for me, as I have all the bells and whistles, including the sun roof. Keeping the drains clean is paramount. Right after I bought it, I put it into the shop and had it completely gone through, cleaned and greased the sunroof rails, added a spoiler, mud flaps, rain guards and a bug shield. This car is AWESOME !! By far the fanciest Soul out there. The deal I got was amazing. 27,800, new, 14,700 2 years old with 27k on it. Almost 50% off, thanks to COVID. What a deal. :)

[@lawandaadams689]

I had a 2015 until one person caused a 3 car collision, my KIA is totaled now. Had no problems with my car

[@davidjones6969]

Soul Rocks! Had a 2012 ... 2.0 had it until 2020. Great car! Just got a 2020 EX ... If you are older and just need that extra room, it's easy to get out of, holds stuff just right. Just me most of the time sometimes two. Fold down the back seats add big floor mat cut to size for back. Everyone that I have asked love theirs.

[@jayrosado5894]

I have a 2019, I drove from Orlando FL to Los Angeles CA with 0 issues. I spent less than 200.00 on gas too. I'm in CA now and I'm still putting 4 hour drive every other day.

[@ericdolby1622]

How is the communist state doing out there?

[@jayrosado5894]

@@ericdolby1622 dude it's super dirty in LA, not lying it feels like a third world country at times. Thank God I am not living in the city anymore I'm a couple of hours North.

[@ericdolby1622]

@@jayrosado5894 I'm in Naples which is a beautiful city. Not sure I like much about California. From what I hear anyway

[@williamegler8771]

For a well maintained modern car that is approximately three years old that is hardly a epic journey. I recently sold a Saturn Astra to the brother of a co-worker. It had 216k miles on it and he drove it from Madison Wisconsin to Juneau Alaska without issue.

[@bluesky4385]

How many miles are on your Soul now? I have the 2019 also and live just north of Orlando. I love the car the 2nd one I have owned, I had the 2013 before and traded for the 2019. Only problem I have is not the car its the lousy Florida Kia dealers. It's difficult to find one that seems professional, and isn't constantly trying to sell me another Kia when I go in for oil changes.

[@davekorzekwa8727]

2013 Kia Soul !.... Had rear rotor gouging issue, had brakes and rotors replaced. A few thousand miles later the right rear wheel froze up....the drum parking brakes failed to release. Had tie rod ends replaced, they were VERY loose. Overall the car was very good except for these items. Traded in on a Kia Seltos.

[@mikesimpson6598]

I'm on my 3rd Soul and love them. I WOULD suggest checking for gap between windshield and dash. If there is a gap, chances are it's one with a dash that wasn't secured correctly and the dash rattle will drive you crazy

[@kerstinmedwed5775]

I purchased my Kia Soul 4u in November of 2009 and it is still going strong. Have been looking at the 2020 or 2021 models in EX+ trimline. I love the Soul

[@SquachoFace]

Kirsten, I just went from Gen 2 to the 2021 Gen 3. Wow, what an improvement ! Quick and smooth. Good Luck, haggle for - 4K off the EX's MSRP.

[@jimtohmas898]

We bought a 21 ex oil burner only 4000 miles bought brand new not Happey with engin. No turbo. It burns oil. Lots of oil consumption problems with Kia products

[@WilmerCook]

Got my 2014 kia soul, it was 1yr old, the Kia dealer has taken very good care on all the warranty issue's. This car is better than the Infinitely I had before. I love it it's Alien green, I still get questions about the color.

[@nsav619]

I own a 2015 Kia Soul, I’m the 2nd owner bought it when it had 70k miles, it runs great! I was using it to do LYFT, only major replacement I had to do is replacing 1 Catalytic Converter.

[@nsav619]

I replaced my catalytic converter at 120k miles also changed my spark plugs and ignition coils

[@cmeeki4]

I just traded my 2015 for a new 2021. I love the Soul.

[@nsav619]

@@cmeeki4 that’s awesome! Congratulations 🎉

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

I've been using my 2016 Kia Soul (1.6L 6-speed manual) to do Uber (very similar duty to your LYFT lifestyle). Customers often comment positively about the car's appearance and capabilities. Mine is currently in the shop for a brake-job (four sets of pads & rotors, plus the replacement of two rear brake calipers). My 2016 Kia Soul only has only 44k miles on it. Apparently the "rideshare" lifestyle is hard on brakes? This is a serious cost-of-ownership expense, though.

[@13outsidecenter13]

@@libraeotequever3pointoh95 yeah I have 55k on my 2015 and no brake issues yet. So it may be the rideshare stop and go that is hard on brakes

[@Kered-9]

The Soul is in my top 5 vehicles that I would like to own.

[@austinhymel1069]

Definitely pull the trigger if you're planning to own one. It's an easy car to drive and park. Feels like a go kart at times and is extremely reliable

[@jldude84]

I have a 2012 with 133,000 miles as a 2nd vehicle, and I've grown attached to it it's such a quirky little car but yet it's amazing on gas and actually pretty peppy with the 2.0L it'll burn rubber no problem lol only downside is the doors sound cheap and thin and the suspension mounts are kinda noisy so when you hit a crack in the road or a bump, you feel AND hear it pretty bad.

[@saltwater52]

@@jldude84 in 2018 I told my wife we should consider trading in our 2015 soul with only 26 thousand miles on it it was a plain Jane and I wanted to upgrade. The Plain Jane 2015 was a great car and low mileage but we now drive a 2018 with all the bells and whistles, it's the millennium, it's fun to drive and it's a head turner. They're built better than the earlier models and cost more to, can't beat the warranty

[@jldude84]

@@saltwater52 2018 and 2015 are essentially the exact same car. Only difference is different options and engines based on trim level.

[@saltwater52]

Very true but our 2015 was alien green and was showing signs of paint fade on the plastic parts and it was a very plain car my wife is very happy with the new car that has the media, nav and sound system and two tone Blue with white top and mirrors colors and it does turn heads it's got some pretty nice trim on it including rocker panels. My wife's car I really don't get to drive it much

[@michellerene951]

Bought my 2019 Soul + a year ago and it's been great! Love the gas mileage and how roomy it is😊

[@jackjack6199]

Same here I have one. Mines used to be a rental car. Only downside I don't care for is the mileage it has to be a 4 yr old car.

[@wturner777]

I once had the 2017 Soul+ in alien green and I really liked it. Long story short, I sold it to get myself out of a lien and avoid repossession, which was a smart move. Tbh, the Soul is the ONLY Kia I would personally own. If I can get a good deal on one outright I'll be happy.

[@MrMOd3RnW4rF4R3]

How did you sell it out of lien?

[@jaymatt3269]

They didn't get out of the lien, just the repo. And made a few dollars in the process.

[@suefromtorontoon5517]

I purchased a 2018 White Kia Soul in February of 2020, and i am absolutely in love with it. Although i wasn't looking for all the bells and whistles that my kia offers, i really love it. I bought a new set of tires, got myself some great Tuxmats for my Soul and its great. So far i'm impressed with the handling in the snow, the roominess in the car, and just the overall look and feel. I would definately recommend it!

[@riajelle]

what tires would you recommend?

[@travisl5125]

​@@riajelleContinental purecontact Ls are good tires

[@kammila6025]

I'm getting my 2015 kia soul tomorrow! 😁😁🤘 thanks for the info justin! Helped me so much in what I should look for

[@MannyDiazG]

Been a year, still own it and if so how has it been?

[@jimjones1294]

The last two years of ubering, I rented a series of 2017-2018 Kia soul's and upper models through Hertz. Alot of them were at low mileage each time of rental. I didn't notice anything alarming, but there's something very odd of a texture wit the windshields, front and back. Using the windshield wipers front and back even with brand new wipers, the rain or window spray just smears and doesn't really catch along the surface? I guess you can say it may be serious in harsh storm conditions? Can't deny aside that issue, these toasters with wheels are pretty neat! 😂 🚙

[@testing316]

I'm still driving a 2010 soul and it's been great!

[@desmondlouis5762]

Please how many miles is on your 2010 Kia soul now and how would you rate it reliability from 1 to 10. Am thinking about buying the 2011 model with manual transmission, is it advisable to go ahead. Thanks man.

[@candiceyates253]

Wow that’s good to know you’ve had it that long.

[@Dakiraun]

I can offer up some advice and further commentary as a 2015 Kia Soul owner in Ontario, Canada - and I'll divide it up into some sections for folks: *Model/Trim* The 2nd Generation Soul was offered in various trims from 2014 to 2019. In terms of years, 2015 and up is the best to consider for the sake of added safety. While the 2014 models look the same, the Soul did not perform as well as Kia was hoping in small frontal overlap tests, so they went back to the drawing board (rare to do in a new generation's first year) and added almost 30% more rigidity to the cabin super-structure for the 2015 model. This makes the 2015 and up Souls considerably more safe for driver and passengers. In terms of "trims", The Soul had the three main offerings in Canada of LX, EX and SX, with sub-trims available in each one. Like _any_ car offering, there is a point at which this trim level offers less tangible mechanical/physical benefits, and just starts throwing in fluff - IE, luxury things that really aren't all that important. Remember that the more gadgets and features you have, the more you introduce the potential for issues - leaking sunroofs, as Justin points out, being a great example. In my opinion, the sweet spot was the EX+ trim. This trim offered the stronger 2.0L Nu engine, projection headlights, LED tail lights, backup-camera (which was later introduced into lower trims in 2018), a decent stereo, heated seats and a little bit nicer looking interior without going to leather. It avoids the sunroof and other gadetry. *Wheels and Ride* The wheel size of the 2nd Gen Souls depended on your trim level. The smallest wheel size was 16" with the SX version being 18" There were even some special editions that went to 19". One very important thing people tend to forget is that the tire is _part_ of the suspension system. The more tire you have between you and the road, the more it can soak up bumps. That's why the land-yachts of the 1970s road so nice. Now, today, cars have brakes that actually _work_, which means they are larger, so you can't fit tires as big and bubbly as they did in the 1970s, so in the case of the Soul, you can't really go smaller than 16". For whatever reason, people have been made to think that bigger wheel sizes=luxury today, which really all it means is more money for the manufacturer, and a rougher ride for _you_. Soul's with the 18" wheels ride pretty darn rough because there just isn't much wheel to take the bumps. The EX+ that I have came with 17" rims, though I use 16" for my winter tires, and that gives a much nicer ride. I plan on selling the 17" rims and replacing them with good 16" wheels/tires once the originals are worn. Remember that wheels are replaceable - and you get whatever you like! Just make _sure_ that you use a tire-size-calculator to keep the overall diameter of the tire the same if you change the wheel size. *Engine Considerations* The 2nd Gen Soul had three engines available in Canada - the 1.6L, the 2.0L and 1.6L Turbo - all were GDI (Gas Direct Injection). While the added power of the turbo may be tempting, turbo'd engines never hold up as well over time and use as a naturally aspirated one. GDI engines already operate under higher extrames than their older MFI siblings, and adding a turbo to them increases that strain. A lot of the oil-consumption complaints come from the turbo versions as such, though the added demands of GDI mean that they are harder on the oil regardless. The Kia manual suggests changing the oil every 12,000km, however as a bit of a fanatic about keeping my engine's healthy, I change _my_ oil ever 5000km, and only use pure synthetic. I have done this since my Soul was new, and I have never personally had any oil consumption issues in 61,000+ km of use thus far. Think of it this way: Oil is cheap, engines are _not_. Now back to engine sizes... the 1.6L in the base LX models, in my opinion, is too small an engine for the Soul. This little engine has to work pretty hard to lug the Soul around, especially at highway speeds. Under heavier strain, I would avoid those models as a used purchase. And again, the turbo has power, but with the additional harsh conditions the engine is under, it's a risky buy. In _any_ case, you'll want to know the maintenance history of the vehicle, in which you'l want to look for regular oil changes, and preferably with quality oil. *Brakes and Rotors* I was rather surprised that I had to replace my rotors around the 40K mark. 3/4 of the mileage on my Soul were highway, and while the rotors were still quite thick, they were warping and gouging pretty bad. The brake pads were also surprisingly worn down. I don't think Kia puts very high quality stuff in for braking, so if considering a Soul that is using the stock Kia rotors and pads, replacement is likely a consideration. As with any car, if the rotors are good, braking should be very smooth (IE, no shudder, vibration or pulling to any one side). If not smooth, stock hardware, or just general wear is likely the issue. *What's it like to Drive?"* I find the Soul to be a very comfortable drive! The seats are supportive and even if in them for many hours, I don't get sore or have any problems. The vehicle rides well on 17" rims and tires, though the ride is a bit more comfortable on 16" rims and tires with the added rubber. It handles well, has very little body roll, but is _not_ like a high-riding SUV or truck, so you can't soak up big bumps with the limited suspension travel. Think "car", because that's what it's closer to. In the Winter, with proper winter tires, the Soul handles very well. I have been through some pretty horrible conditions and have yet to have gotten it stuck. It has a bit more ground clearance than most modern cars, so I think that lends to why it does so well in the snow. It also has good roof-rack ability. I have sea kayaks that I put on the roof when I go paddling, and while highly amusing to see a nearly 18 foot long boat dwarfing the Soul in length, it can handle transporting it without issues across Ontario's country roads. It also has a really surprising amount of room inside. When you drop the back seats down, you can really fit an amazing amount of cargo into the thing. I had a small truck before I had the Soul, and I thought having less carrying room would really hurt, yet, the Soul *Annoyances and Issues* Most of these are small things, but worth noting. The automatic transmission, a 6-speed, is overall very good unless coming to hills in the country. For whatever reason, it tends to want to downshift from 6th to 4th for any minor hill when you're on most 80km/h country roads. It does this, of course, when you're already going up the hill which is a bit of a jerk and sudden surge in engine noise. I dislike it so much, when I see a hill coming, I tend to put it into manual mode and downshift into 5th at the base of the hill, then put it back into auto (so the lock-up torque convertor does its thing) once past it. Another annoyance is that the accelerator pedal is connected to the floor. Why is this a problem? Well, even if you put in excellent weather mats (such as WeatherTech), water and slush that run down the pedal will always hit the bottom and soak into the floor mat because you can't have a mat _under_ it. Unless the person is a fanatic about water (like me) and makes sure their foot is dry before using it, you should really check for potential water damage around the accelerator pedal. The Soul also has door seals that are both on the door, and on the door _frame_. The ones on the base of the door frame tend to tear where people get in because they are clipped all the time by people sliding their feet in - check for that when buying. *Recall work and Inspection* The 2nd Gen Soul has been subject to (I believe) four recalls thus far. Not all necessarily apply to any one model (as Justine mentions). Make SURE one that you are looking at has had this recall work done. Plugging in its VIN number into Kia's Canadian site will tell you what has been done, and what is (if any) outstanding for it. Perhaps the _MOST_ important thing is to have a mechanic or car-buying professional do an inspection on the vehicle _before_ you buy it. They will be able to check not only the health of the powertrain, but plenty of other structural and electronic details to know whether the purchase is a good one, or a problem waiting to happen. Yes, many charge a fee for this service, but $100 to be sure is a lot less than thousands in unwanted repairs later. Alright, that's it! Hope that helps anyone considering getting one. :)

[@jamesrobison174]

We have two Souls and love them. Both are basic models with the manual transmission. One 2018 with 32K and a 2016 with 72K, no problems with either one. Very happy Soul owners. Only gripe is not having a spare.

[@coolnavy5339]

Nice

[@13outsidecenter13]

I went to the junkyard and grabbed a spare for my Soul from the trunk of a wrecked Hyundai - cheap.

[@michaelwalker1798]

@@13outsidecenter13 thanks for sharing. I’m bout to buy a 2014 Soul+. I’m getting rid of my 13 ford escape….. nuff said lol

[@mixedraceable]

I bought a 2018 Kia Soul Plus which is Titanium Gray in color. The dealership I went to told me that the 2018 Dodge Journey SE that I was supposed to get didn't pass the 120 point inspection. So I shopped around and got this 2018 KS+ So far so good. 340 miles until refuel. My Kia has 66k miles

[@MrKINGTAC0]

Very professional review, thank you for this! Much appreciated.

[@mohamadjouda3820]

I bought a full option 2011 kia soul before 11 years and it still with me until now with 190.00km and iam thinking about upgrading to 2019 kia soul also☺️

[@josephgarcia2979]

I don't recall hearing Justin say he owns one, but his description and knowledge of the vehicle is outstanding. Great summary of the vehicle!

[@whoothick]

2014 133K check engine light just came on. Going into shop but zero issues

[@g-mang-man7924]

We own a 16 Base, and added a backup camera. Change the oil every 3750 miles, adding a bottle of Techron, and rotate the tires every 7,500 miles, and at 30k, replaced all filters, replaced coolant and changed automatic transmission fluid. Is now at 57k miles, still had original brakes and replaced the Kumho tires at 45k miles. It has given our family exactly 0 issues. With the same regular maintenance we are giving it, I expect it to last over 300 k miles. Will have the dealer perform the 60,000 mile decarboniza service for the Direct injection system. Definitely sad it has lost so much value (compared to the Lexus and Toyota products we own) but it has been reliable and safe transportation for our family

[@reaality3860]

My 2017 Soul+ has the 2.0 4 cyl., no sunroof, no turbo, and no power folding mirrors. It has the Harmon/Kardon stereo and navigation group, heated leather seats front and rear, and a heated steering wheel. I've found the one Soul assembled with all the best choices and features Kia has ever made.

[@aaronbritt2025]

I buy cars with clean titles at auction, fix them up and resell. I recently bought 4 of these and 2 of them have rod knock. Turns out Kia just issued a recall in January of 2021 about rod knock. They also extended the engine warranty for rod knock to 15/150k for both original and secondary owners (unlike the original 10/100k warranty which drops to 5/60k for second owners).

[@hommy1614]

Great information and presentation. Shame the sunroof is problematic in some. We have thoroughly enjoyed our (non sunroof), manual, Soul. $65,000 and zero issues.

[@saleemahmad3503]

I am going to buy a 2013 model hopefully a 1.6 liter thanks for these great tips of how to buy a used soul

[@tommaynard_keyoftreeband]

Bought the 2014 Soul + brand new in 14.. 29,000 now on it. No problems. Do wish I'd gotten the ! Model with leather as the current seats are a bit rough on long trips for this 68 year old. Around town it's Awesome. Lots of pickup for passing.

[@martyn_g]

My parents have had one for 8 years - only the boot lock release went wrong. That’s it. Rock solid car

[@andre1987eph]

i have 230,000 miles on my 2016 kia soul. main issue is the gdi engine carbon build up on intake valves due to this design. Check engine light at 120000k and will never go away for good after that

[@13outsidecenter13]

I own a 2015 Kia Soul base 6 speed and I love it. Bought it brand new. 55,000 miles. Not one problem, knock on wood. I wish it had a little more power and a better fuel economy, but those are the only issues I have with it. And overall, considering how much I paid and its rock solid reliability, I really cannot complain. Perfect city dweller runabout.

[@marcusdrew5713]

is yours the petrol version?

[@13outsidecenter13]

@@marcusdrew5713 Yes, thats all that was offered in the states in 2015

[@blairdelnero2762]

It's mostly maimtence, any, car will run reasonably well down the road

[@DBGROWS]

Definitely wish my 2018 had more power but I love it

[@13outsidecenter13]

@@blairdelnero2762 I havent even had to replace the battery in my Kia Soul, and the car is 7 years old! No brake repair, not even tires. Oil and filter (every 7500 miles), air filter (once, myself), cabin filter (once, myself). Thats all for seven years. I dont think the average car can say this.

[@randylee81]

I have a 2013 Kia Soul base 1.8. Great car I've hauled washing machines to elliptical workout equipment. Just have an big wool blanket and you will be good to go.

[@ivanouderkirk1082]

2013 the best car I have ever owned

[@cyndykated358]

I bought a red 2018 Soul plus...with 39000...at the end of 2019...thanks to Covid..only another 5000 on it.. I really love the car...it’s cute... fun to drive and tons of room.

[@karenveasey9409]

I purchased my '16 Kia Soul + in late 2015. It's been an awesome car. I did complain at the last check-up about a spotty acceleration. They couldn't find anything, I'll readress this next visit. Thanks!

[@jeangenet796]

My 2017 soul+ is great. My engine blew up around 90,000 miles. Took 3 months to replace under warranty. Other than that no issues

[@xiunitv4513]

"my engine blew up" other than that no issues 😭

[@frankchafe9465]

I have a 2011 Kia soul and it's perfect.. unfortunately I have to get rid of it by January 1st as Uber doesn't let us use a car older than 10 years.. I know I can get four or five more years out of it if I didn't have to sell it... I've kept it in spectacular shape hopefully the resale value will be nice so I can put it towards another Kia soul..

[@zerosparky9510]

I just bought a 2018 Soul. Has 36000 miles. Bought with a 6 speed manual transmission. 1.6 engine

[@trendacole1556]

My car was bought brand new 0 miles right off the show room &come to find out it was and recall

[@ChrisEdwardsRestoration]

Hello, I own a 2018 soul Plus with the tech package, i have done initial reviews, and yearly reviews. at 61K my well maintained, always oil changed every 3000 miles w synthetic. 2.0L GDI (direct injection) blew up. spun a rod bearing. a known issue on the 2.0 GDI! , Gas cap also causes P0441 issues so change it. I love the car. the engine was swapped under warranty. it now has 72K and all is fine.. also at 04:00 you state about water issues on sunroof, also this applies to the AC drain rubber hose clogging under the car, simply take a air hose from a compressor and blow up into it, if its clogged you will get a waterfall out of the tube. otherwise its fine.

[@davidhalley9795]

Thanks for the tips. I’m going to test drive a 2019 this week. I’ve never had a Kia so this video was very helpful.

[@riotgear7646]

Thank you for the video. Looks like KIA really turned their image around and is the new reliable economy car similar to what Honda and Toyota was once known for. Definitely will be replacing my old Honda Fit for a Kia Soul+

[@MYFBAMB]

How did you like the Honda Fit? I was looking at that car too as a backup option.

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

@@MYFBAMB My Dad owned a couple of Honda Fit's. Compared to the Soul, the Fit gets better gas mileage, but has reduced and less convenient passenger and cargo-carrying capacity. Both car designs have their virtues. Honda shocks/struts were prone to wearing out around 50k miles. It seems like every car has one or more parts that fail earlier than owners would prefer, these days.

[@trinafirey1175]

Excellent overview. You know your stuff!! Thanks for teaching me about my Kia Soul+2015: I loved the solar yellow color so much that I gave up some very cool computerized features.That hurt! My Kia is 5 years old. It will be paid off this month. No problems with anything yet, but recalled 3x. On a positive note, Kia extended warranties on my engine and parts to compensate for owners time. Last comment: I am not happy that Kia omits a spare tire for the make/model I selected. I can’t even buy one.😩 I’m prepared for all potential car emergencies but this 1 😧. This car is still cool. I would recommend it.

[@MikeHuntSweat]

LMFAOOO HOWS THAT SOLAR YELLOW TREATING YOU DUMMY 💛

[@13outsidecenter13]

Go to a junkyard and get a spare from the trunk of a totalled Hyundai. Plenty of them and cheap. This is what I did

[@RainBitcoins]

We purchased a spare tire kit from eBay. Fits like a charm

[@trinafirey1175]

@@RainBitcoins 👍🏼Ty!

[@djnewfie]

got a 2010 has 320000km and still going strong.

[@mypov4347]

I'm in the market for a new vehicle and the Soul has caught my eye. Particularly the 2021... I'm getting older and having a vehicle that makes me sit upright is pivotal in getting in and out with ease. Head room, leg room, l like the grill, along with the light clusters, including the fog lamps... Btw, great video and uber informational too. I thought about getting a sunroof until you mentioned your concerns...now I'm reconsidering. Thx 👍

[@gorillafinancialgroup4719]

I just bought one from a dealership and needed a new battery and alternator in the first month.

[@lisagillum-wells1979]

I had a 2015. I loved that car. I had the opportunity to trade for a 2020, last May. I love that car even more. The inside of my car is bigger than my parents 2020 GMC TERRAIN.

[@jessicaducat6022]

I'm getting a 2015 kia soul here soon, and I'm so excited. But literally everyone I talk to say they hate it 😬🤷‍♀️

[@Athenstrainman]

I love my 2018 Kia Soul !.

[@foreclosureofadreamurbex5420]

My mom bought her 2016 used last year with low miles and it has been back to the dealer many times for many issues. They wanted to charge her $1700 yo replace her exhaust behind the cat. I took it to an exhaust specialist and they pulled the entire thing off, including the cat and found zero wrong with it. They pulled the codes and said its a fuel issue so now its at my mechanic.

[@elevatedevelyn]

My check engine light is flashing, just bought my used 2016 soul also, having acceleration problems and no one can read the code. Taking it to mechanic tomorrow.

[@johnodom2390]

May I ask what the outcome was? My 2014 supposedly needs a new cat. I just bought it barely a month ago and I know this was a recall a while back but eh dealer only updated the electronics and didn’t inspect the cat damage. Now I’m stuck with a 2k bill to replace the cat.

[@foreclosureofadreamurbex5420]

@@johnodom2390 this is easy to diagnose. Get an infrared temperature reader and get the car up to operating temp. Point it at the exhaust before and after the cat. They should roughly be the same temp. If there is a major difference it's your cat

[@johnodom2390]

@@foreclosureofadreamurbex5420 thank you’

[@seth-bullock]

My 2018 Kia Soul 2.0 liter has the oil issue. It takes 4 quarts on an oil change, but I burn at least 2 quart in between my oil changes. So basically I lose at least half my oil between changes. This isn't really a big deal if you check the oil regularly. The issue is this oil is getting past the rings and burning up in the combustion chamber. This causes carbon build up on the top side of the motor. So I remove my intake (this is really easy) and spray Seafoam down the intake every once in a while to clean the top side of the motor. This isn't a perfect fix, but it helps a lot. Also this will improve your gas mileage a lot. I gained about 8 mph the first time I did this. Now, because I do it regularly I usually gain 2-3 mph. Kia really should recall the motors that do this. Because of this issue I'll never buy a Kia again. Or a Hyundai. If you didn't know Hyundai owns Kia. Good luck if you got this too.

[@marklyon2147]

This is the beginning of engine failure. Make sure you get the knock detection software updated or it will not be covered under warranty. You should initiate the warranty replacement now.

[@ericdolby1622]

Just got a 2018 Exclaim with moonroof and harmon kardon system. Love it.

[@johnboyle3552]

Nice...I just had Carvana deliver the same on 11/8. The turbo in that thing is awesome. I am only doing 2 things to it. Ram intake from sxth element and magnaflow muffler delete. Sure do like my lil toaster.

[@ericdolby1622]

@@johnboyle3552 very cool. I like my toaster too. Mine is the inferno red. I am very interested in the muffler delete. I did uncap the recirculation hose on the intake. I capped it off with one of those 7/8 rubber chair leg boots from Walmart. Now it makes a nice swoosh sound when you let off the go pedal.

[@johnboyle3552]

@@ericdolby1622 nice, that is what I am after. A few more ponies from the intake and exhaust mods and the sound from the BOV is awesome.

[@atracin]

Good video! Appreciate these "What to look for" videos and the efforts put in

[@rudolfbenner4802]

Adding background music makes it hard to understand your dialogue, especially for hard of hearing folks. Don't need the music.

[@brockbaby]

I have no medical issues with my ears and I agrre the levels of the background music can be drastically reduced and still have the same effect the creator is looking for. :)

[@DDlambchop43]

just got one that was a former rental. TONS of legroom and really comfy.

[@jeffkunkler9299]

so Canadian. And that is high praise! No nonsense, to the point. Thank you!

[@JeffMcMenamin1027]

Have a 2016. Love it. In 60k miles only brakes & a battery. If you live where it snows: Get winter specific tires. Makes this unstoppable in poor weather.. So happy with it just added a Telluride to the garage!

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

I've got a 2016 Kia Soul, too. I agree that putting snow-tires on them is a good idea in the winter. The Kia Soul has good road-manners, but having tires that grip in the snow is a huge plus when the snow is several inches deep.

[@Warham359]

bought a kia soul 2015 with 50k miles. It had an converter recall. I've had huge oil consumption problems with mine. resulted in the engine giving out and only being able to go 45mph with 2.5k rpm. I took it to the dealership and they replaced the engine and fuel injectors for me because I had warranty. I wouldent suggest a kia soul honestly, i got the bad end of the stick with mine.

[@robertdavis32]

We just bought a CPO 2017 + model back in august for my sister. It only had 33k miles on it and so far it’s been pretty solid

[@shannieshomemadegoodies]

I have a 2021 and I love it❤

[@candiceyates253]

I just purchased a 2022 lcx model with tech package a month ago! I’m lovin it! I love the pick up. Never tried sport mode but will this weekend! Can’t wait!

[@candiceyates253]

Lx

[@eliana458]

In 12/2019, I bought a certified Kia Soul. Last weekend the engine died. The car has 86,000 miles on it. According to the warranty, the powertrain is covered for 10years or 100,000 miles. The dealership kinda gave me the impression that Kia may not cover the issue.

[@RainBitcoins]

What ended up happening? Did they warranty the engine?

[@eliana458]

@@RainBitcoins They did not stand behind their car. The refused to fix the engine even though there is a long history of problems with these engines. KIA is crap and no one should buy one. Spend a few more dollars and get a Mazda because Mazda is a great car the the company stands behind their vehicles. JUST DON"T BUY A KIA because you WILL REGRET IT.

[@RainBitcoins]

@@eliana458 wow I'm so sorry that happened to you. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@deshaun5419]

Sure your story

[@altonT]

I have owned two. Both had the same problems. The driver side seatbelt doesn't retract well and if it gets below 20 degrees, the check tire light goes on even when the tries are new and have been checked for pressure. Other than that, will most likely get another.

[@bryanvellegas6355]

the tpms is getting cold. TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM one in each wheel, only 1 is usually activated at a time. get dealer to check which wheel its on and swap it out

[@altonT]

@@bryanvellegas6355 the tire pressure was a software problem. They did an update and the problem went away.

[@bryanvellegas6355]

@@altonT that was supposed to say getting old. That's fabulous news

[@altonT]

@@bryanvellegas6355 the software update made a big difference on a few things. It ran smoother with a touch better gas mileage.

[@mchammer3927]

I can confirm my (bought new) 2015 kia soul 2.0 starting to burn out like at 40 k ... now burn like a quart every 2 week .... kia dealer did nothing they just want me to monitor level Because it burn so much it will must likely going to plug the cat. converter too ..

[@blanchecastillo7896]

Having exactly the same problem. Mine 2016 Kia 2.0 Using 1 quart every 800-900 miles. Dealership giving new the run around for almost 6 months now. I guess their waiting for the 100,000 mileage warranty to run out.

[@kevinx9225]

Around the high 70k miles our 2015 1.6L Soul started to use oil. Not smoking or dripping. It would just be low. It took several oil changes for Kia to track it. The customer service is probably a per dealership issue. Ours was not overly helpful but finally we got another engine under warranty. We are otherwise happy and still have it. However for our next car we went with another company largely based on service.

[@monhnaeharris7323]

So you had to replace the engine? Was it out of pocket?

[@tonyfrench2700]

I bought a 2010 kia Soul+ back in 2013, when I bought it, it had 65k miles on it, I traded it in in 2016 and bought a new Kia Soul+, I put it through various scenarios on the highway and city streets, what got my attention was the navigation system and upgraded infinity audio, a year after I bought it,I was diagnosed with a type of leukemia and I really don't drive much anymore, it's about to turn over to 29k, I baby it, keep it clean and service up to date (everytime I go to get the oil changed, the dealership begs me to trade it in for a new one) anyone who needs a good, solid vehicle,I would recommend a Kia Soul to anyone (and have done so for the past 8 years) if(and a BIG IF) I get a new vehicle,it will be another Kia Soul (maybe a Sportage)

[@robbo580]

What color is your baby? How much you want for it?

[@gayle9428]

Very intersting points brought up. Good advice even if looking at other vehicles as well, such as the sun roof potential for leaks and excessive oil consumption.

[@davidbloomberg9494]

Look for an Oil Catch Can having been added to help reduce the GDI carbon build-up on the intake valves. True of all GDI engines, not just kia.

[@northernboy7272]

2015 sx gdi best car I ve ever owned. Btw nice seeing a guy from Sudbury doing good on KZbin Northern Ontario Pride buddy

[@kennykidwell6684]

I got a 2019 soul Redzone and love it .

[@zxtenn]

Checking for excessive oil consumption has a charge and they need to do it several times. I have a 2023 Tuscon SEL AWD with the convenience package and someone with a much older Hyundai of some type was talking to a service rep about having his vehicle checked for oil use, however i guess it's not a bad thing to spend $300.00 and get a new engine or short block however remember most manufacturers consider at least some oil consumption NORMAL meaning 1 quart per X amount of miles is standard. My vehicle had 7000 now and i did the 1st one at 2500 out of my pocket as i still believe in an early 1st oil change. 0-20 full synthetic is now used and Hyundai says 7500 miles which in my opinion is FAR too long so i will be doing mine at about 4500-5000 and the 1st 5 are free anyway. I just checked mine and it's still 100% full after about 4500.

[@spookyvegan1402]

I’m test driving a 2018 Kia so I’m glad that I found this video Thank you