The 2011 Soul lasts 250,000 miles with only minor electrical and brake issues. At $5,875 – 8,002, it’s a good bargain given the reliability and comfort.
Is the 2011 Kia Soul a Good Used SUV?
- Yes, 2011 is a good year for the Soul. We have received a lot of positive owner reviews mentioning a roomy interior, it fits well in compact parking spots, and features easy-to-use technology.
- Reliability ratings are great with no widespread issues and just some electrical complaints. We recommend models from 2010 and 2011, with a lot more mechanical problems showing up in 2012.
- Two weak 4-cylinder engine options.
- Fuel economy is great at up to 28 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Soul?
- Consumer Reports finds the Soul to fit a lot of passenger room in its compact footprint and has above-average owner satisfaction ratings.
- Edmunds rates the Soul 4.5/5 and likes the user-friendly technology, but doesn’t like the noisy interior.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Soul a 4.6/5 enjoying the affordable ownership costs, but find the performance lacking.
What Common Problems Does the 2011 Kia Soul Have?
There are relatively few problems on the 2011 Soul including the stability control system, vibrating while braking, and suspension issues.
Electronic stability control system faults are the most common problem showing up in the first 10,000 miles. There’s a recall for the stop lamp switch, which fixes the problem once it’s replaced for free.
Vibrations while braking are another complaint in the first 12,000 miles. Usually worn out pads and rotors cause more vibration. Replacing the pads costs about $200 and a new set of rotors is around $400.
Worn out control arms for the suspension is an issue at around 100,000 miles. The suspension components wear out over time and have to be replaced, costing about $600.
The 2011 Soul has 2 recalls including the stop lamp switch and headliner plate detaching. The most serious recall is for the stop lamp switch, which can prevent the brake lights from working.
How Long Will the 2011 Kia Soul Last?
A properly maintained 2011 Soul should be able to last around 250,000 miles, similar to other leading competitors like the Cube. Repair Pal finds the annual maintenance costs to be reasonable at $460 per year.
As a Soul reaches 100,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the fuel level sending unit for $675, brake booster costing $650, and tie rods which cost about $125.
It is a very reliable car. I got in my senior year of high school and I haven't had any issues with it. The only time I have had to take it to a mechanic was after an accident.
We've had problems with the exhaust, but no problems other than that. It is a very reliable car for our family.
Very reliable. I have had the car for a year and only had to put brakes on it. I drive 76 round trip to work every day.
No my Kia has no problems and has about 149,980 miles on it. Good car as long as you keep up on the upkeep!
It is reliable car and I haven't had any issues other than normal wear and tear. Had to replace a battery and that was pretty simple to do.
It is very reliable and also reasonable to repair and easy to do a lot of the work myself example of changing the plugs.
Very reliable. This is really a great car. I feel safe driving it. I've honestly not had problems with it.
Yes it is definitely reliable. Have only had to do routine maintenance on this vehicle. Runs smooth and efficiently
How Much Is the 2011 Kia Soul Worth?
Blue book prices range from $5,875 – 8,002 making the Soul more affordable than top competitors including the CR-V and Scion xB. When new, the price range was $13,300 to $18,495. Depreciation is similar to rivals, losing around 8% of its current value per.
What are the Different Models of the Soul?
The Kia Soul comes in four main models. Technology is good for the time since it was introduced for the 2010 model year, with a redesign coming in 2014.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows And Locks
- 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System with USB and 3.5mm AUX Jack
Soul + adds some good features including:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cruise Control
- Keyless Entry
- 6-Speaker Stereo With Bluetooth Connectivity
Soul ! is next in the lineup and adds:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Two-Tone Cloth Interior
- Optional Leather Seats
- Sunroof
- Fog Lights
Sport is the flagship model adding:
- Black And Red Interior
- Sport Suspension
- Metal Pedals
- Unique Front Bumper
Is the Kia Soul a Safe Car?
Safety ratings are good, getting 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests and earning a Top Safety Pick Award. Standard safety features include air bags, anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction control with no advanced safety features available
What Engines Come In the Soul?
There are two 4-cylinder engines available in the 2011 Soul. Performance is responsive in the Sport model, but is not fast. The largest most powerful engine still takes 8.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
- The base engine is a weak 1.6L 4-cylinder with 122 horsepower.
- The + and higher models come with a more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder which has 142 horsepower.
What Colors Does the Soul Come In?
How Big Is the Soul?
The Kia Soul is small for an SUV but similar in size to the Nissan Cube and Honda Element with great passenger room throughout the cabin and comfortable seats.
Cargo space is lacking compared to rivals, with only 19 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats increasing to 53 when the seats are folded flat.
How Does the Soul Compare to the Competition?
The highest-rated compact SUV with similar styling is the Scion xB costing $2,000 more. Where the Scion stands out is with better long-term reliability and performance, but the Soul has more technology. We recommend the Scion since it lasts longer, but both are good choices.
Another close competitor is the Nissan Cube, which is $1,000 cheaper. Cargo space is much better in the cube, but the Soul is more powerful and fun to drive. Overall, the Soul is a better long-term choice with fewer complaints.
Do Owners Recommend the Kia Soul?
Yes. It is still in good shape even being years old. I have had no problems with it. It is lasted well over the years and even my parents love driving it.
Yes it is safe and drives well in all kinds of weather, and affordable. I have recommended it to many friends.
Yes I really like my Kia soul great gas mileage, loud road noise, rough ride very roomy for a small vehicle.
Yes I love my car. Only thing is it is not awesome in the snow! Very roomy. Awesome steering! Very reliable. Amazing sound system!
Very reliable, fun to drive car. The seats fold down which is an added bonus. It is also easy to work on, it is not as cramped as some other cars I have worked on.
A very dependable basic vehicle and very good on gas as well as easy to drive even though it is a manual transmission.
Yes, I love this car! It drives well, especially in the rain and snow. In fact, when I replace this one I will most likely get another one.
Yes! I have had my Kia since 2015 and have only had to do routine maintenance on it, despite driving it cross country twice and countless road trips