2025 Kia Soul vs 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Comparison Overview
The primary divergence between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the $3,955 MSRP gap, with the Soul starting at $20,490 versus the Outlander Sport's $24,445. Fuel economy also shows a significant gap; the Soul achieves a 30 MPG combined rating (27/33 City/Highway), while the AWD Outlander Sport manages only 26 MPG combined (23/29 City/Highway). While the Outlander Sport is mechanically stronger, offering 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque compared to the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, the Soul boasts superior efficiency for daily use. The Soul is also slightly smaller in every dimension, measuring 165.2 inches in length versus the Outlander Sport's 171.9 inches. Conversely, the Outlander Sport includes standard All-Wheel Drive, which the front-wheel-drive Soul lacks, adding practical capability despite its lower 21.7 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Soul
The 2025 Kia Soul offers a superior 30 MPG combined rating, significantly lowering running costs for daily travel compared to the Outlander Sport's 26 MPG.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport includes standard All-Wheel Drive and is physically larger (171.9 inches long), suggesting better capability in varied conditions.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Outlander Sport produces higher torque (145 lb-ft vs. 132 lb-ft), providing a measurable advantage in pulling power, despite both sharing 147/148 horsepower figures.
2025 Kia Soul
The Kia Soul saves $3,955 on initial purchase price while offering 4 MPG better combined efficiency, resulting in superior initial and operational value.
Choose the Kia Soul if...
- You prioritize saving money upfront, as the Kia Soul has an MSRP that is $3,955 lower than the Outlander Sport.
- Maximum cargo volume is required, as the Soul offers 24.2 cubic feet compared to the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cubic feet.
- Efficiency is key, supported by the Soul’s 33 MPG highway rating running on regular unleaded fuel.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...
- All-Wheel Drive capability is mandatory, as it is standard on the Outlander Sport while the Soul is FWD only.
- You require slightly more passenger or overall vehicle volume, evidenced by the Outlander Sport’s greater dimensions (171.9 inches length vs. 165.2 inches).
- Maximum torque output is preferred, with the Outlander Sport delivering 145 lb-ft versus the Soul's 132 lb-ft.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Soul | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 165.2" | 171.9" |
| Width | 70.9" | 71.3" |
| Height | 63.0" | 64.8" |
| Wheelbase | 102.4" | 105.1" |
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 148 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
Drive Train
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/33 MPG | 23/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 386.1/471.9 mi. | 363.4/458.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.3 gal. | 15.8 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 7.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio/Video Remote Control | ✓ | — |
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. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.1 in. | 41.6 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.5 in. | 56.2 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 | — | 52.1 in. |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.5 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.8 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.7 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 51.6 in. |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | ✓ | Full |
| Wheel Size | 16 x 6.5 in | 16 x 6.5 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P205/60R H | P215/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | 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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
What is the direct fuel economy advantage of the Kia Soul over the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
The 2025 Kia Soul achieves a 30 MPG combined rating from its 27 City/33 Highway figures. This offers a distinct 4 MPG advantage over the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which is rated at 26 MPG combined (23 City/29 Highway).
Does the higher price of the Outlander Sport justify its mechanical differences?
The Outlander Sport commands a $3,955 higher MSRP, primarily due to its standard All-Wheel Drive system and slightly superior torque output of 145 lb-ft compared to the Soul's 132 lb-ft. Whether this justifies the cost depends on the necessity of AWD for the buyer.
Which vehicle offers more usable space for carrying items?
The 2025 Kia Soul is the better option for sheer cargo volume, providing 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport offers less space at 21.7 cubic feet.
How do the exterior footprints of these two vehicles compare?
The Outlander Sport is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 171.9 inches long, 71.3 inches wide, and 64.8 inches high. The Kia Soul is more compact at 165.2 inches long, 70.9 inches wide, and 63.0 inches high.
Are horsepower figures relevant given how close they are?
The horsepower figures are nearly identical, with the Outlander Sport at 148 hp and the Soul at 147 hp. Torque is the more relevant differentiator here, where the Outlander Sport pulls ahead slightly with 145 lb-ft versus the Soul's 132 lb-ft.
Can I use regular unleaded fuel in both vehicles?
Yes, both the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping ongoing refueling costs predictable for both models.
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