2025 Kia Soul vs 2025 Subaru Outback

$20,490 · Wagon

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2025 Subaru Outback is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), where the Soul starts at $20,490, a $9,505 savings over the Outback's $29,995 entry point. Performance metrics clearly favor the Outback, which produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque compared to the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. Fuel economy is virtually identical, with the Soul achieving 30 combined MPG versus the Outback's 28 combined MPG, though the Soul is front-wheel drive while the Outback includes standard all-wheel drive. Furthermore, the Outback offers substantially more utility, boasting 32.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, significantly larger than the Soul’s 24.2 cubic feet. Despite the power deficit, the Soul's smaller footprint (165.2 inches long) offers greater maneuverability than the 191.1-inch long Outback.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul wins for commuters due to its lower initial cost of $20,490 and marginally better 30 combined MPG rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is superior for families because it offers a substantially larger 32.6 cu ft cargo capacity and standard all-wheel drive capability.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback appeals more to driving enthusiasts by delivering 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, exceeding the Kia Soul's 147 hp output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul offers better immediate value by undercutting the Subaru Outback's price by $9,505 while maintaining near-equivalent fuel economy.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Your primary concern is minimizing upfront expenditure, as the Soul starts $9,505 cheaper.
You prioritize maximizing fuel efficiency slightly, as the Soul achieves 30 combined MPG versus 28 for the Outback.
You prefer a more compact vehicle, as the Soul's 165.2-inch length aids in tight urban parking situations.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

All-weather capability is necessary, as the Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive.
You require maximum storage, given the Outback's 32.6 cu ft cargo volume compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.
A higher performance threshold is desired, evidenced by the Outback's 182 hp rating.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Subaru Outback
Length	165.2"	191.1"
Width	70.9"	73.0"
Height	63.0"	66.1"
Wheelbase	102.4"	108.1"

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	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
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	182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	176 lb-ft @ 4400 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
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	26/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	481.0/592.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	18.5 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	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

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	2
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	40.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	42.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	58.1 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	—	55.5 in.
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	57.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	54.8 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

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	225/65R 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 Outback.

What is the exact difference in power output between these two vehicles?

The 2025 Subaru Outback generates 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque from its standard engine setup. Conversely, the 2025 Kia Soul produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 35 hp deficit.

How does the cargo space compare for hauling gear?

The Subaru Outback provides significantly more room with 32.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. The Kia Soul trails this figure, offering 24.2 cubic feet of storage space.

Is the fuel economy significantly different between the two models?

The difference in fuel efficiency is marginal; the Kia Soul is rated at 30 combined MPG (27 city/33 highway), while the Subaru Outback achieves 28 combined MPG (26 city/32 highway).

Which vehicle includes standard all-wheel drive?

The 2025 Subaru Outback is equipped standard with an all-wheel drive system, making it more suitable for adverse road conditions. The 2025 Kia Soul comes exclusively in front-wheel drive configuration.

What is the total cost difference between the base MSRPs?

The base MSRP for the 2025 Kia Soul is $20,490, whereas the 2025 Subaru Outback starts at $29,995. This represents a substantial initial price variance of $9,505.