2025 Kia Soul vs 2025 Subaru Forester

$20,490 · Wagon

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the boxy, budget-friendly 2025 Kia Soul and the more substantial 2025 Subaru Forester often comes down to budget versus capability. The immediate hurdle is the steep $9,505 MSRP gap, with the Soul starting at just $20,490. For daily driving, the Soul offers slightly better overall efficiency, netting 30 combined MPG versus the Forester's 29 MPG, though both use regular unleaded fuel. However, the Forester steps up significantly in capability; it packs 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque compared to the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, plus it includes standard All-Wheel Drive. Size matters too: the Forester is over 18 inches longer and offers 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft. If maximum utility and ruggedness are priorities, the extra cost pays off, but for straightforward, affordable transport, the Soul reigns supreme.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul wins for commuters due to its significantly lower entry price of $20,490 and slightly better 30 combined MPG efficiency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester is the better family choice as it offers more overall space, boasting 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity and standard All-Wheel Drive.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Forester

Enthusiasts will prefer the Forester's superior output, delivering 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque over the Soul's 147 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul provides undeniable value by undercutting the Forester’s price by $9,505 while still achieving 33 highway MPG.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Your budget is tight, as the Kia Soul starts at $20,490, saving you $9,505 over the Forester.
You prioritize maximizing fuel efficiency in city driving, achieving 27 City MPG versus the Forester's 26 City MPG.
You need a highly maneuverable vehicle for tight parking, given the Soul's shorter length of 165.2 inches.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You need the confidence of standard All-Wheel Drive and superior capability on unpaved roads.
More hauling space is essential, as the Forester provides 29.6 cu ft of cargo volume compared to 24.2 cu ft.
You want more responsiveness from the engine, benefiting from the Forester's 33 extra horsepower (180 hp total).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Subaru Forester
Length	165.2"	183.3"
Width	70.9"	72.0"
Height	63.0"	68.1"
Wheelbase	102.4"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	43.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	57.7 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	—	54.7 in.

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	56.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	53.7 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	✓	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R H	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2025 Subaru Forester.

Is the 2025 Kia Soul too small for hauling larger items compared to the Forester?

Yes, the Soul offers 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which is noticeably less than the Forester’s 29.6 cubic feet. While the Soul's tall, boxy shape helps, the Forester offers nearly 5.4 cubic feet more inherent storage volume.

How significant is the difference in power between these two cars?

The power difference is quite noticeable; the Forester delivers 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Soul has only 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. That 33-horsepower advantage will make the Forester feel quicker on highway merges.

Since the Soul is cheaper, does it cost significantly more to fill up frequently?

No, the Soul is actually slightly more fuel-efficient overall, rating at 30 combined MPG versus the Forester’s 29 combined MPG. Both utilize regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs low for both models.

Why is the Subaru Forester $9,505 more expensive than the Kia Soul?

The price difference largely reflects the Forester’s standard All-Wheel Drive system, greater size (183.3 inches long vs. 165.2 inches), higher power output, and generally more rugged crossover build quality compared to the front-wheel-drive Soul.

Which vehicle offers better comfort on bumpy city streets?

While both use CVTs, the Forester, being taller at 68.1 inches, generally offers a commanding driving position and a slightly softer ride associated with crossovers. However, the Soul’s smaller size and lighter weight make it exceptionally nimble for navigating tight urban environments.

Are both vehicles equipped with the same type of transmission?

Yes, interestingly, both the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2025 Subaru Forester come standard with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT) for both their powertrains.