Kia
Seltos
Kia
Soul
Kia Seltos vs Kia Soul: 2025 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Kia Soul comes out ahead of the Kia Seltos on power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Seltos
Overall
Sentiment is sharply divided, creating a low-confidence overall picture. A significant portion of owner feedback is positive, praising the vehicle for its spacious interior relative to its compact size, attractive exterior design, generous feature content (including ventilated seats, sunroof, air purifier, and dashcam in higher trims), and generally smooth and comfortable driving experience with the naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engines and IVT (CVT) or manual transmissions. However, an equally significant and recurrent stream of criticism centers on mechanical and electronic reliability, particularly concerning turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, DCT and IMT transmissions, and various component failures.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" version. Feedback is heavily segmented by powertrain preference.
Known issues
- ⚠Transmission reliability concerns (DCT/IMT): Reports of failures, clunky/low-speed behavior, unsuitability for city traffic, and long repair times for parts. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Engine issues: Turbo failures, oil pump recalls (specific to a 2023 manufacturing batch), piston ring recalls (mentioned for 2.0L engines), carbon buildup causing lean codes at high mileage, and DPF failures in diesel models linked to "adu…
- ⚠Low real-world fuel economy: City mileage reported as low as 8-12 km/L (~19-28 MPG), significantly below expectations for the segment. Frequency: recurrent.
Soul
Overall
Mixed to negative sentiment, heavily dependent on model year and engine. The vehicle is consistently praised for its practicality, including exceptional interior roominess, good fuel economy, easy maneuverability, and overall value as a basic, economical transportation appliance. Long-term owners of specific years (e.g., 2011, 2020) report high satisfaction with minimal repairs and reliable service.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to designate a single "best" version. Positive long-term reliability is anecdotally reported for the 2011 model year and for the 2020+ models with the 2.0L engine (non-turbo), provided they avoid the major engine failure issues.
Known issues
- ⚠Catastrophic engine failure (knocking, stalling, seizure) often preceded by excessive oil consumption: very frequent across 2010-2020 models. Linked to recalls and extended warranty programs.
- ⚠Excessive oil consumption/burning: recurrent, noted as a common precursor to major engine issues.
- ⚠Transmission problems: includes laggy acceleration, harsh clunking between gears (particularly 2nd to 3rd), "searching" for gears, and general lack of refinement. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Kia Seltos is the better choice for most buyers.
It has stronger reliability sentiment in owner reports than the Kia Soul, based on the data above. If the specific known issues on the Kia Seltos are a dealbreaker, the Kia Soul is worth a closer look instead.
Explore further
Not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few questions and get a personalized recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Kia Seltos or the Kia Soul?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Kia Seltos than the Kia Soul. See the known issues comparison above for the specific concerns owners report on each.
Which is better for families, the Kia Seltos or the Kia Soul?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Kia Seltos is classed as a SUV, the Kia Soul as a Crossover, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Kia Seltos or the Kia Soul?
Fuel consumption data is limited for one or both models. Check the specs table above for the figures available on each catalogued version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Kia Seltos or the Kia Soul?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Kia Soul than the Kia Seltos. See the known issues comparison above.