2025 Kia Soul vs 2025 Volkswagen Taos
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2025 Volkswagen Taos is the $5,045 MSRP difference, with the Kia starting at $20,490 versus the Taos's $25,495. Performance metrics heavily favor the Taos, which delivers 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. Despite the power deficit, the Soul achieves a nearly comparable fuel economy rating of 30 combined MPG compared to the Taos’s 31 combined MPG. Dimensionally, the Taos is the larger vehicle, measuring 175.9 inches in length compared to the Soul's 165.2 inches, which translates to a superior 27.9 cubic feet of standard cargo capacity versus the Soul’s 24.2 cubic feet. The Taos utilizes an 8-speed automatic, while the Soul sticks with a continuously variable-speed automatic.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia Soul
The 2025 Kia Soul wins for commuters due to its lower $20,490 MSRP and slightly better maneuverability implied by its shorter 165.2-inch length.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos is the superior choice for families, offering 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
The Taos provides 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, offering substantial power gains over the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft.
2025 Kia Soul
The Kia Soul offers near-equivalent efficiency at a significantly lower entry price point, saving buyers $5,045 upfront.
Choose the Kia Soul if...
- Budget constraints necessitate an MSRP under $21,000.
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is secondary to minimizing purchase price (30 combined MPG vs 31 combined MPG).
- A smaller exterior footprint (165.2 inches in length) is preferred for urban parking.
Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...
- Higher power figures are necessary, particularly the 184 lb-ft of torque.
- Increased interior space is needed, evidenced by 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.
- A traditional 8-speed automatic transmission is preferred over a CVT.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Soul | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 165.2" | 175.9" |
| Width | 70.9" | 72.5" |
| Height | 63.0" | 64.5" |
| Wheelbase | 102.4" | 105.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6200 rpm | 174 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1750 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 | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 27/33 MPG | 28/36 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 386.1/471.9 mi. | 369.6/475.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.3 gal. | 13.2 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 8.0 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 | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | — |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.9 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.1 in. | 40.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 55.5 in. | 56.5 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 | 6-way |
| Front Hip Room | — | 53.9 in. |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.5 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.8 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.7 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Hip Room | — | 45.4 in. |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | — | ✓ |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 215/55R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | Independent |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Volkswagen |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 20000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2025 Volkswagen Taos.
How much more powerful is the Volkswagen Taos than the Kia Soul?
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos possesses a clear power advantage, delivering 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This significantly exceeds the 2025 Kia Soul, which is rated at 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque.
Is the fuel economy substantially different between these two FWD models?
The difference in fuel economy is minimal despite the Taos being more powerful. The Taos achieves 31 combined MPG, while the Soul is rated slightly lower at 30 combined MPG on regular unleaded fuel.
Which vehicle offers better utility for hauling cargo?
The 2025 Volkswagen Taos provides greater cargo volume at 27.9 cubic feet versus the 2025 Kia Soul’s 24.2 cubic feet. Furthermore, the Taos is physically larger in exterior dimensions, measuring 175.9 inches long compared to the Soul's 165.2 inches.
What is the main price difference between the base models?
There is a notable $5,045 price gap separating the two vehicles at their respective starting MSRPs. The Kia Soul begins at $20,490, whereas the Volkswagen Taos starts at $25,495.
Do the transmission types differ between the two cars?
Yes, they utilize different transmissions for power delivery. The Kia Soul uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT), while the Volkswagen Taos employs a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Are both cars compatible with regular unleaded gasoline?
Both the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2025 Volkswagen Taos specify regular unleaded fuel as their required type, which helps maintain low operating costs for both models.
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