Why I love (and totally hate) the 2021 Kia Soul

The 2021 Kia Soul is pretty darn far from being the most exciting car on the market, but it is easily one of the most practical.
Yes, I think it's really ugly. But that doesn't prevent it from being the perfect daily driver IMHO. Heck - after a full day of driving a 2021 Soul around Michigan back roads, I'm convinced that it might be my next car.
My next daily driver that is - I'd still need a good looking fun / weekend car to keep me sane of course.
Read my full review:
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[@CadgerChristmasLightShow]

I bought a 2021 Kia Soul S model in mid-late 2021, brand new. It's the 2.0L with the IVT transmission, with all the cool safety tech. Lane keep assist is amazing, I can let my hands off the wheel on a curve and it turns accurately on its own. I have 8500 miles on mine with zero issues so far. Averaging like 30-35mpg. I take it on 1+ hour long trips now and then and it's great for that. I don't care about touch start and fancy tech crap so I can appreciate the simplicity compared to many other modern cars.

[@mikesimpson6598]

That round "button" On the side of the seat is the lumbar. I use mine all the time. I love the Souls

[@delflinger]

I was looking for honest opinions to validate my decisions hahaha and this guy really nailed it... I'm buying a second hand 2020 Soul with 24k miles on it, and I mean I wasn't convinced on the looks and I'm not a fan of SUVs, but after driving it I felt great, all the space, the quietness... coming from a 2005 Sentra with absolutely nothing, not even airbags and starting my own family... I think this Soul is going to be a good replacement.

[@502Chevy]

I have a ‘21 base model six speed manual LX. A few notes: changing oil on the cars with the 2.0 is very easy - drain plug and oil filter are front and center, no need to pull underbody panels. Changing cabin and engine air filters is equally simple, did mine in 10 minutes. The fit and finish and paint are excellent on my built in Korea car. Apple car play links up and stays linked up - I’ve had cars that didn’t. The 2.0 is port injected, no cylinder deactivation and with the manual no auto stop start either. I routinely get 37 mpg in mixed driving. The steering goes from easy at slow speeds to firmed up on the highway which is nice. So far I’ve had a totally enjoyable experience; if I could change anything it’d be Kia making their engines bullet proof - they’re not. I liken them to BMW engines, they don’t suffer fools lightly. So far, for me, no engine problems at all, zero oil consumption but I’m told I’m lucky. Some 2.0 engines crater at 20k miles but then there’s those who Uber their Soul with 150k. It’s the luck of the draw I guess.

[@archand6147]

I have one of these, got it new in mid 2021. It's been a good car, reliable enough and practical, I really like how basic and no frills it is (I came from a Volvo 240 haha). Since we lost our pickup I've filled it floor to ceiling and done dump runs and hauled crap in it even. I'd say it's worth it, partially because I got such a good deal on it. I would say watch out on windy days, it can get pushed around if you're on the highway in bad wind. Overall though yeah it's been a decent daily, I'd consider another if I needed a new car.

[@justacinnamonbun8658]

I have a 2023 Soul LX. Got it in December of 2022 for MSRP ($21,740). I needed a car because I wrecked my Mitsubishi the prior month when I hit a deer, it was almost paid off too. I'm a retired mechanic, I knew what I was getting into, I knew these weren't Toyotas or Hondas. Thay being said, if you don't know much about cars or you're not big on doing maintenance on your cars, I would steer clear from the Kia Soul altogether. This is a high maintenance car, the engine and transmission are not overbuilt like on Toyotas and Hondas that can take a beating. If you beat these things up I can guarantee you you're not going to have a good time. I already had to replace the master window switch, the switch went bad, cost me $100 with shipping, I put it in myself. Car has almost 7k miles right now.

[@underfist]

Could’ve took it to the Kia dealership and got it fixed for free

[@YouTuber-ep5xx]

Warranty?

[@justacinnamonbun8658]

@@KZbinr-ep5xx Yeah a warranty for the kids that work at the dealer service department to scratch the hell out of the car. I already had a bad experience over at the Mitsubishi/Nissan/Kia dealership when I took my leased Outlander PHEV for service, they helped themselves to my chewing gum in the center console and hit the soft padded armrest with what looks like a flat blade screwdriver. I'm not going to even get into all the parts they broke trying to install the tow hitch. But that's a lease so it doesn't bother me as much. Now the horn went out on the Kia, has no horn. Probably needs a new horn, that's a pretty easy job, once I verify it has voltage to the horn I'll just order a new horn.

[@YouTuber-ep5xx]

The car goes 500 miles (35mpg highway x 14.3 gal. tank = 500.5 miles) on a tank of gas on a highway trip. Not many cars can do that.

[@vegasbab.y3740]

I haven’t done the whole tank but I took a trip the same week I got my 23 LX/S with those same rims and the black gloss interior and the IVT they have now, made it there only going about 85-95mph and only took a little more than half a tank so I would say it only takes about a good 450 miles on straight highway

[@dforrest4503]

@@vegasbab.y3740well gas mileage goes down at those speeds.

[@4orrcountry]

Heavy foot = worse gas mileage. Not the car's fault.

[@markgrano8137]

I rented one for a week while my Grand Cherokee was in the shop. I thought it was ugly but man was it a good little car with amazing gas mileage.

[@ceciljones1248]

I just bought a used one and I feel just like you It's OK 👍 for the money all I need is it to get me from point A to point B nothing fancy just a daily driver thanks for the video

[@davidwright2332]

Bro said no lumbar support as he pans down to the lumbar support button

[@montemichelbleu]

Thanks for confirming that. When he said that i was "huh?" As i test drove a used 2015 a few days ago, and i am recovering from multiple LN1 fractures - and could have sworn i'd adjusted the seat to accommodate in a very comfortable way.

[@driveandreview]

Good catch! I honestly didn't even know that it was there (which is embarrassing to admit considering how much I looked for something resembling a lumbar control button / knob). Oh well. At the very least it just makes me feel even better about the Soul than I did before. I liked it!

[@lancemousel3457]

I​@@driveandreview

[@maryhirsch2909]

I got a 2016 soul. I really like it a lot.

[@mattm1686]

Push button start sucks it’s not reliable enough. It’ll get you stranded.

[@tieshawilliams4752]

There is the option for power seats with lumbar. I got a ‘21 Soul S and I have that option.

[@4orrcountry]

I only buy a vehicle to impress myself.

[@dforrest4503]

I have this exact model of car but in a different color. My gas mileage is normally around 30 in the city, and 33-35 on the highway depending on the speeds. This model of car DOES have lumbar support as part of the power seat. I’ve got 63k miles on it, and taken it on several multiple times-thousand mile road trips, and it’s been pretty comfortable. So for me it’s been a good car. The only thing I don’t like are the halogen headlights - not great.

[@theadvocate4698]

Swap in led bulb! Did it on my rio and it works wonder! It's been 2-3 years and they work flawlessly! Really change a lot for cheap! 5 minute job too!

[@smokeyyy_da_tree]

I got the same car. I like it the gas mileage is amazin ride good just abt any road

[@batsonelectronics]

I test drove a 2020 and new 2024 Soul and they were OK but nothing great. The 4 year old Soul has 60K miles on it and a few buttons were already wearing off. I ended up buying a 2015 ( 3rd gen ) Honda fit EX with 116K miles. It rode better, had a better stereo, sunroof, and absolutely no rattles or creaks. The underside looked new as did the interior. A 1 owner car. Was 11k before taxes. I personally prefer a Fit over a Soul, even a used Fit over the new Soul. I know the Fit will go 200K + miles, can't say that about the Soul. The proximity key with start/stop is amazing. It never has to leave my pocket. I lost the use of my left hand, it is extremely easy to drive 1 handed. The soul isn't bad, the Fit was just better. The 2018-2020 Fits have lane warning and some other safety stuff the 2015-2017 don't have. I don't miss them, less to break in the future. The Fit has a 5 star crash rating also, I think the Soul is 4 star. Oh, I drive pretty hard around town ( no one beats me off the line ) and I just got 34 mpg on winter gas. 38-40 mpg would be easy to get if I drove easier.

[@simonepon]

Would love to see you do some more reviews on budget cars like this

[@driveandreview]

Thanks! I'd love to see Ferrari give me a shot at their latest supercar. 😂

[@simonepon]

@@driveandreview well I hope it happens for you, lol! I will say though that your video is what helped me settle on the 2024 Kia Soul about a month ago. So thank you!

[@angelle2788]

scott deserves more subscribers

[@driveandreview]

That ain't likely to happen unless I start reviewing Lambos 😂

[@KarmasAbutch]

Totally clicked this because I’m replacing my Honda FIT too lol

[@BReal-10EC]

I like the Kia soul. But they are not cheap anymore. The old manual 1.6 Souls used to be excellent disposable boxes that were decently reliable too. But now it's like 22-23k for a new base LX with wheel covers on a dealer lot (if you can find one.. and without an ADM). You just need to add a couple extra grand for much nicer vehicles (but not roomier)- like a Mazda CX-30.

[@smoothcollision2997]

I went from Ford Fiesta to Kia Soul.. 2016 I do like the height since I am short

[@smoothcollision2997]

The Fiesta interiors are better that the Fiesta..my Fiesta was really cheap and broke down

[@LS-uv9gg]

Ugh. I suffered through the entire video waiting for the "Totally Hate" part, and it was either never mentioned, or was glossed over in maybe the little moan about lumbar support? Does that really give credence to the title name? Or is it the looks, that again, you state specifically wanting a boxy, practical shape like the Fit? Wasted my time 🙄

[@4orrcountry]

Of course if you're driving 80 mph, your gas mileage WILL BE affected...

[@pozytywniezakrecony151]

I love it, wanna buy it prolly used from USA to Europe, hope there is some part compatibility. Driving 07 Saab 9 5 we miss smaller car for city parking.

[@osamamohammed3547]

I Love KIa soul since 2014 until now Kia soul is all my chance

[@katerynahvozdetska1932]

Does it have a wireless Apple CarPlay?

[@ianj24341]

It also depends on the trim level. The higher trims I believe have turbo and an push button start.

[@davidn.5803]

1/2 way correct. Some higher end models have push button start but the turbo option has been discontinued. All models have the same engine / motor.

[@MetronomeSenpai]

Would like to see more updates on the beautiful 5.0!🙏

[@driveandreview]

Yeah, I still have it! You're right though - it is time for an update video.

[@kkp9068]

We love our 2020 soul s excellent vehicle

[@robertocojones4471]

Did you ever verify if you could fit a full sized bike in the back? I'm considering a Soul for that particular reason.

[@MrChulinet]

you need to pull down the back seats. I own a Kia soul 2011 (currently thinnking on having a 2024 Soul) and do that all the time. I also take out the back tire of the bike.

[@DirtyBlueshirtAU]

But... did you feel like a Hamster?

[@driveandreview]

No, but I was overrun by them every time I parked lol

[@Lincolnator721]

Kia abandoned the hamsters and chose iguanas instead.

[@weeb121]

Very nice thank you 😊

[@jonathandown9617]

Calm down James Spader!

[@peaceonearth1971]

engine burning and kia boyz?

[@kkp9068]

love mine awsome vehicle

[@JLT3]

sanspotter?

[@driveandreview]

Who? Sounds like a total weirdo. :-)

[@smokeyyy_da_tree]

From Detroit

[@negrito103180]

Review sucks

[@driveandreview]

Can't say I disagree. 😂

[@juliadennehy]

I had a Kia Soul. Then the dollar store made a skeleton key for it, a USB cable, and it got stolen. Kia Hyundai are CRAP cars!

[@mattm1686]

You sound like someone who’s never owned one there’s raving reviews to the positive for this vehicle all over the Internet, so I’m not sure what your definition of crap is