2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Kia Soul

$24,550 · Crossover

$20,490 · Wagon

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the 2025 Hyundai Kona and the 2025 Kia Soul often comes down to prioritizing a slightly larger footprint versus significant upfront savings. Both subcompact options offer identical power, sporting 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, but their efficiency numbers are close: the Kona edges out the Soul slightly with 31 combined MPG versus 30 combined MPG. The Kona is the physically larger vehicle at 171.3 inches long compared to the Soul’s 165.2 inches, which translates to marginally more utility, offering 25.5 cu ft of cargo space against the Soul’s 24.2 cu ft. However, the most compelling number is the price; the Kia Soul undercuts the Kona's $24,550 MSRP by a hefty $4,060, landing at just $20,490. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing maximum affordability, the Soul’s lower entry point easily offsets the minor fuel economy advantage of the Kona.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is the superior choice for daily commuters due to its significantly lower $20,490 starting price, minimizing financial overhead immediately.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offers slightly better interior practicality with 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Kona

While performance is matched (147 hp), the Kona is the technical winner here simply because its slightly higher 31 combined MPG offers marginally better long-term running costs.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The $4,060 MSRP difference between the Soul ($20,490) and the Kona ($24,550) makes the Kia the undisputed value champion.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

You value the marginally better fuel economy of 31 combined MPG.
You need the extra 1.3 cubic feet of storage space provided by its 25.5 cu ft capacity.
You prefer the slightly longer body style at 171.3 inches for a more traditional crossover look.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Saving $4,060 on the purchase price is your top priority (MSRP $20,490).
You prefer the slightly taller stance at 63.0 inches, which might aid entry and exit.
You want a vehicle that is 6.1 inches shorter in length (165.2 inches) for easier city parking.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Kona	Kia Soul
Length	171.3"	165.2"
Width	71.9"	70.9"
Height	62.2"	63.0"
Wheelbase	104.7"	102.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 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	Hyundai	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	29/34 MPG	27/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.6/421.6 mi.	386.1/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Audio/Video Remote Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 in.	55.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 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

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.2 in.	38.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.4 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	Steel
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R17	P205/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Cover Type	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Kona and 2025 Kia Soul.

Which vehicle is cheaper to purchase outright?

The 2025 Kia Soul is significantly more affordable, boasting an MSRP of $20,490, which is $4,060 less than the 2025 Hyundai Kona's starting price of $24,550.

How do the horsepower and transmission options compare between these two models?

Surprisingly, they are twins under the hood for these trims; both cars produce 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque and utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.

Is the Kona truly better for cargo hauling than the Soul?

Barely. The Kona offers 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, while the Soul provides 24.2 cu ft, resulting in only a 1.3 cubic foot difference in maximum storage.

If I drive long distances, which car uses less fuel?

The Hyundai Kona holds a slight advantage on the highway, rated at 34 MPG compared to the Soul’s 33 MPG, translating to a 1 MPG higher combined efficiency rating (31 vs 30 MPG).

Are these cars large enough for city driving and tight garages?

Both are very compact, but the Kia Soul is the slightly smaller option, measuring 165.2 inches long versus the Kona's 171.3 inches, making it marginally easier to maneuver.