Makes›Kia›Soul›2014

2014 Kia Soul

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

Kia Soul
Pictured: 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line (facelift), front 12.11.22. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Station Wagons
Body styles
EX/Sx, LX
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 24 city / 30 hwy
Length
163 in
Curb weight
2,798–2,970 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints878 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 9 for similar models — most often about the engine.
  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2014 Kia Soul is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 163 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 101-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,970 lb (EX/Sx).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (24 city / 30 highway), 4% better than the 2014 small station wagon average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 878 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2014

  • Best combined MPG down from 28 to 26

Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 Soul →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
EX/Sx163 in70.9 in63 in101.2 in61.8 / 62.6 in2,970 lb61/39
LX163 in70.9 in63 in101.2 in61.8 / 62.6 in2,798 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Soul1.6L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 30 / 26+4%$2,600335
Soul1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 30 / 26+4%$2,600338
Soul ECO dynamics2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 30 / 26+4%$2,600337
Soul2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26+4%$2,600344
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.9 MPG2014 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2014 Kia Soul.

Similar 2014 small station wagons

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2014 Kia Soul (this car)26 MPGNot rated5
2014 Honda Fit82 miNot rated3
2014 Nissan Juke29 MPGNot rated2
2014 Scion xB24 MPGNot rated2
2014 Nissan Cube28 MPGNot rated1
2014 Fiat 500 L28 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (5)

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module › Software · Feb 18, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V096000 · 128,280 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
Risk
Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.
Engine · Dec 2, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V750000 · 294,756 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Engine · Feb 22, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V120000 · 378,967 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
Risk
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Steering · Sep 29, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V608000 · 342,381 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
Risk
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Mar 2, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V123000 · 208,858 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
Risk
If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2014 Kia Soul is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

878Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
26Involved a crash
67Involved a fire
23Injuries reported
79,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine551
Exterior Lighting123
Electrical System89
Unknown Or Other85
Power Train55
Fuel/Propulsion System53
Steering48
Engine And Engine Cooling41
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 124/12: 125/01: 225/02: 525/03: 325/04: 325/05: 425/06: 125/07: 425/08: 625/09: 225/10: 525/11: 325/12: 326/01: 426/02: 226/03: 326/04: 226/05: 426/06: 326/07: 426/08: 426/09: 526/10: 224/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2014 Kia Soul buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 551 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Exterior Lighting — 123 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Electrical System — 89 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 79,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 Kia Soul. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Soul years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★012
2024 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★030
2023 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★454
2022 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★195
2021 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★2239
2020 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★1388
2019 Soul28163 in★★★★★3140
2018 Soul28163 in★★★★★3223
2017 Soul28163 inNot rated3290
2016 Soul27163 inNot rated5823
2015 Soul26163 inNot rated7907
2013 Soul28161.8 inNot rated3631

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →