2025 Honda HR-V vs 2025 Kia Soul

$25,400 · Crossover

$20,490 · Wagon

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the 2025 Honda HR-V and the 2025 Kia Soul often boils down to budget versus perceived refinement. That $4,910 starting price gap between the HR-V's $25,400 MSRP and the Soul's $20,490 MSRP is significant for many buyers. While the HR-V offers a slight edge in power, boasting 158 hp compared to the Soul's 147 hp, both utilize FWD and a CVT transmission for efficiency. Fuel economy favors the Kia Soul slightly, achieving 30 combined MPG versus the HR-V's 28 combined MPG, which translates to fewer stops at the pump. In terms of size, the HR-V is longer at 179.8 inches, offering marginally more interior space, though both manage nearly identical cargo capacities near 24.4 cu ft. Ultimately, the choice hinges on whether the Honda's slightly higher output justifies its higher entry cost.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul wins for commuters due to its better fuel economy, achieving 33 highway MPG compared to the HR-V's 32 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda HR-V

The slightly larger 2025 Honda HR-V, at 179.8 inches long, offers a more substantial footprint that many families prefer.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda HR-V

The HR-V offers marginally more pep for the driver who wants it, producing 158 hp versus the Soul's 147 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is the clear value winner, starting $4,910 less expensive than the Honda HR-V.

Choose the Honda HR-V if...

You prefer a slightly more powerful engine delivering 158 hp.
You value the slightly larger exterior dimensions (179.8 inches long).
You prefer the slightly better highway fuel efficiency ratings (32 MPG) for longer trips.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Your primary concern is budget, given the $4,910 lower MSRP.
You prioritize maximum efficiency, as the Soul achieves 30 combined MPG.
You need a slightly smaller vehicle footprint (165.2 inches long) for tight city parking.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda HR-V	Kia Soul
Length	179.8"	165.2"
Width	72.4"	70.9"
Height	63.4"	63.0"
Wheelbase	104.5"	102.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Kia
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	158 hp @ 6500 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	138 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/32 MPG	27/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/448.0 mi.	386.1/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Kia
Push Button Start	✓	—
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Audio/Video Remote Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	—
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	38.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	Steel
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R H	P205/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Cover Type	—	✓
Wheel Size	—	16 x 6.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda HR-V and 2025 Kia Soul.

How do the fuel costs compare between the 2025 HR-V and the 2025 Soul?

The 2025 Kia Soul holds a slight advantage in fuel efficiency, posting 30 combined MPG, while the 2025 Honda HR-V is rated at 28 combined MPG. Both run on regular unleaded fuel, so the Soul should cost you less over the long run.

Is the 2025 Honda HR-V significantly bigger inside than the Kia Soul?

Not really; while the HR-V is longer at 179.8 inches compared to the Soul's 165.2 inches, their usable space is very close. Both offer nearly identical cargo capacities hovering around 24.4 cubic feet.

Which car offers better acceleration based on these specs?

The 2025 Honda HR-V will likely feel quicker since it produces 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Kia Soul is rated slightly lower at 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque.

What is the biggest deciding factor between these two crossovers?

The primary differentiator is the price: the Kia Soul starts $4,910 cheaper than the Honda HR-V. If budget is tight, the Soul offers comparable utility for less money.

Do these vehicles offer all-wheel drive (AWD)?

Based on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Honda HR-V and the 2025 Kia Soul are listed with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) configurations.

Are the transmissions very different in driving feel?

Both vehicles utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) transmission. This means that, mechanically, both will offer smooth, gearless acceleration characteristics common to that transmission type.