The 2016 Kia Soul only lasts around 150,000 miles with serious engine failures and catalytic converter issues. At $11,625 to $14,250, it’s cheap, but not worth it when you can spend over $6,000 replacing a blown engine.
Is the 2016 Kia Soul a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 5/10 – 2016 is a bad year for the Kia Soul since there are still a lot of engine failures reported, giving it a low overall score. Owner reviews complain about expensive mechanical problems, frozen stereo equipment, along with oil leaks.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are quite nice in the Kia Soul, the seats are comfortable even for larger adults, cargo space lower than the competition.
- Reliability 4/10 – There are widespread engine failures on the 2016 Kia Soul. Buyers should avoid models from 2012–2016. Newer models from 2017–2020 are more reliable.
- Performance 5/10 – Performance is poor from both of the available 4-cylinder engines, which are slow.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2016 Soul is reasonably safe, earning 5-stars overall in government crash tests. Optional safety features include a rear view camera, lane departure warning system, as well as forward collision warning.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 27 MPG giving 383 miles of range from the 14.2 gallon tank. Gas costs are $16 cheaper than average, at $198 per month.
- Value 6/10 – Prices on the Kia Soul are lower than other compact SUVs, although expensive repair costs give it a low overall value score.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Kia Soul?
- Consumer Reports says the Kia Soul offers good interior space for its size with low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Soul at 4.4/5, enjoying the user-friendly controls in the cabin, but doesn’t like the harsh ride quality.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Soul a 4.4/5 praising the fuel-efficient engines, but owners don’t like the poor off-road capabilities.
What Common Problems Does the 2016 Kia Soul Have?
Common problems found on the 2016 Kia Soul include engine failures, issues starting, as well as worn-out catalytic converters. Overall, these problems are more severe than other compact SUVs, leading to high repair bills, too.
Engine failures are a common problem on the 2016 Kia Soul, showing up at around 105,000 miles, which is just outside the 100,000 mile warranty. Bearings in the engine seize up, leading to catastrophic failure. Replacing the engine is an expensive project, costing around $6,500 depending on local labor rates.
Issues starting have also been mentioned by Kia Soul owners at around 20,000 miles. The starter motor wears out quickly, and needs to be replaced. Changing out the starter motor costs around $600. Other owners have reported battery issues being the culprit, which cost around $150 to replace.
Worn-out catalytic converters are another expensive complaint from owners at roughly 120,000 miles. The materials inside of the catalytic converter get burnt out over time, leading to a reduction in power. Changing out the catalytic converter costs around $2,000.
There are 3 serious recalls on the 2016 Kia Soul, which are worse than other compact SUVs. The recalls cover the steering gear, engine software, as well as the parking mechanism. All of these are worse than the competition since they can lead to serious mechanical problems. Kia will replace or reprogram parts to fix the issues for free.
How Long Will the 2016 Kia Soul Last?
A well-maintained 2016 Kia Soul may last around 150,000 miles before it becomes too expensive to keep running, which is half as long as top-rated competitors like the Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact SUVs at $369 per year, according to data from Repair Pal.
I have not had any problems yet. So far so good. I think there was one recall. Outside of that recall the car has been pretty reliable.
Very reliable, haven't has any issues. Everything works great, from the gas mileage to the tires, I trust this car. Never had one issue in the years I have had it.
I would like the dash back up cam screen to have been larger but other than that I have no issues with the car.
I love the mileage I am able to get per gallon. As well it drives very well. I have not had any major problems so far.
The 2016 Kia soul is very reliable and since owning I have had no issues or problems with it. I have been very satisfied.
There have been a few recall notices on the Kia soul since I purchased mine and I have had to take my car in at least 3 times to get those issues fixed. But my car has never broken down or given me any troubles.
Yes. I have not had any major problems with the car. I get regular car checkups and also take care of the car. The car even does a good job in the winter which I know can be tough for some cars.
There have been some recalls over the past couple years but other than that no issues. Car is very reliable.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is good for a compact SUV in its price range with a standard 4.3-inch touchscreen. There’s also a larger optional 8-inch touchscreen available. Safety technology is a bit behind the competition, offering an optional rear view camera, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning systems.
Is the 2016 Kia Soul a Good Value?
No, the 2016 Kia Soul is a bad value since there are some expensive problems which show up as they age. Blue book prices range from $11,925 to $14,675, making it cheaper than a Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5. When new, the price range was $15,900 to $35,950. Depreciation is worse than other small SUVs, losing up to 14% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Kia Soul?
There are three models of the Kia Soul offered in 2016, from the entry-level Base to the well-equipped “Soul!”.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Power Windows & Locks
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
- 3-Inch Touchscreen
Soul+ is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Fog Lights
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise control
- Premium Cloth Seating
Soul! is the flagship model which has:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Body-Colored Bumper Accents
- LED Lighting
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Upgraded 8-Speaker Stereo System
What Engines Come In the Kia Soul?
- The base engine is a fairly weak 1.6L 4-cylinder which makes 130 horsepower while getting up to 26 MPG.
- A step up is the more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder which produces 164 horsepower at up to 27 MPG. Performance is slow, taking 8.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Kia Soul Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Kia Soul?
The 2016 Kia Soul is a very comfortable compact SUV with seating available for up to 5 people. Interior materials are nicer than average, featuring comfortable seats made of durable materials.
Passenger room is great throughout the cabin with enough leg room to easily fit taller adults in the back seats.
How Much Storage Space Does the Kia Soul Have?
Cargo space is a bit lower than some other compact SUVs, offering enough space for 3-4 suitcases behind the back seats, and around 10 with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Kia Soul was introduced in 2014, and replaced by the third generation in 2020.
2014: Fully redesigned for the second generation with a new engine, interior, and exterior.
2015: Improved leather seating available, standard rearview camera added.
2016: Soul! Model comes with forward collision & lane departure warning systems.
2017: More powerful turbocharged engine added.
2018: No major changes.
2019: No changes from 2017.
2020: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new engines, exterior, and interior.
How Does the Kia Soul Compare to the Competition?
The Kia Soul ranks as one of the worst compact SUVs of 2016 since there have been some expensive engine failures reported. If you find one outside the 100,000 mile warranty, do not buy it.
The Subaru Crosstrek is another small SUV which costs about $5,000 more. Off-road performance is much better in the Subaru Crosstrek with its all-wheel-drive system, while the Kia Soul offers a more upscale interior. We recommend the Subaru Crosstrek since they have fewer serious problems as they age.
The Honda Fit is a competitor which costs around $2,000 more. Steering is more responsive in the Honda Fit, while the Kia Soul offers better entertainment technology for the money. We recommend the Honda Fit since they last much longer with lower ownership costs.
Do Owners Recommend the Kia Soul?
Yes. At the time of me buying the vehicle I only had one kid. And I loved everything about it. I like the fact that it was just a tad bit bigger than a car.
Yes, it is very safe, almost feels like a luxury car inside. Easy to drive and handles very well. Very nice car for its price!
Yes, it is very reliable, safe and has a spacious interior. The body design is unique and the base model comes with a lot of modern features.
Yes, it is one of the best cars I have ever had. It drives very smooth and was worth the money I paid for it. So far it has held it is value.
Yes, it' is good on gas mileage, plenty of room, just what I was looking for and the price was right.
Yes, it is a very good vehicle. It is dependable, has plenty of room, and drives quietly. It even has an eco mode for driving around town, though I do not recommend it when you are driving on the highway, since it slows down the acceleration.
Yes! I love it. The interior is much bigger than it seem on the outside. It is a very smooth ride and holds everything I need it to. It is an easy car to keep clean and even customize with seat covers and wheel covers. There is plenty of storage space as well.
Yes very nice, it is reliable and is higher off the ground which I like. It has a unique look to it which I like a lot because it is different.