2025 Kia Soul vs 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

$20,490 · Wagon

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the nimble, affordable 2025 Kia Soul and the larger, more powerful 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander often comes down to size versus savings. Buyers juggling budget constraints will immediately notice the $9,505 MSRP gap, making the Soul's $20,490 starting price very appealing. While the Outlander offers superior output with 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque compared to the Soul's 147 hp, the smaller Kia compensates with better efficiency, achieving a combined 30 MPG versus the Outlander's 27 MPG. Dimensionally, the Outlander is substantially larger (185.8 inches long versus 165.2 inches for the Soul), but paradoxically, the Soul offers more than double the practical storage, boasting 24.2 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Outlander's 10.9 cu ft. For city drivers prioritizing economy and parking ease, the Soul presents a compelling, statistically efficient package.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The 2025 Kia Soul wins for commuters due to its superior 30 MPG combined efficiency and smaller footprint, making city driving easier.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is better suited for families despite having less cargo volume, as its larger exterior dimensions suggest more passenger space.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is the clear choice for enthusiasts due to its significant power advantage, delivering 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The 2025 Kia Soul offers vastly better monetary value, undercutting the Outlander by $9,505 while still providing great fuel economy.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Your primary concern is keeping the initial purchase price low, starting at just $20,490.
You frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic and want the best fuel economy, achieving 33 MPG highway.
You value nimble city driving, benefiting from the Soul's shorter 165.2-inch length.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander if...

You require significantly more output from the engine, like the Outlander's 181 hp.
You need a larger vehicle overall, as the Outlander is 185.8 inches long and 68.7 inches high.
You prioritize higher torque figures (181 lb-ft) for easier merging and hauling.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Mitsubishi Outlander
Length	165.2"	185.8"
Width	70.9"	74.7"
Height	63.0"	68.7"
Wheelbase	102.4"	106.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	181 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	181 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	24/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	348.0/449.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	8
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Audio/Video Remote Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	57.9 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
Front Hip Room	—	54.0 in.
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	39.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	53.3 in.
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	✓	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R H	P235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 30000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander.

Why does the Kia Soul have more cargo space than the larger Mitsubishi Outlander?

This is a unique difference; the 2025 Kia Soul offers 24.2 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander lists only 10.9 cu ft. The Soul's wagon design optimizes its interior space around cargo volume, while the Outlander's space is distributed across its larger frame, potentially accommodating a third row or simply having less cubic footage behind the second row.

Is the $9,505 price difference between these two vehicles justified by the Outlander's performance?

The 2025 Outlander offers 34 more horsepower (181 hp vs. 147 hp), which contributes to its higher price. However, the Soul is significantly more fuel-efficient at 30 MPG combined, potentially saving hundreds annually at the pump to offset the initial cost gap.

Which vehicle is better for highway road trips based on specs?

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is physically larger, which often translates to a more planted highway feel. However, the 2025 Kia Soul offers slightly better highway MPG at 33 MPG versus the Outlander's 31 MPG, meaning fewer fuel stops on long journeys.

Can I use regular unleaded gas in both models?

Yes, both the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander specify regular unleaded fuel. This is a benefit for both budget-conscious owners, as neither requires premium gasoline.

If I live in a narrow city street, which car is easier to maneuver?

The 2025 Kia Soul is the clear winner for tight maneuvering, measuring only 70.9 inches in width compared to the Outlander's 74.7 inches. Its shorter length (165.2 inches) also aids in street parking.

How do the transmissions compare between the 2025 Soul and Outlander?

Both vehicles utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT). This type of transmission aims for smoothness and optimal efficiency by eliminating traditional gear shifts.