2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Chevrolet Trax

$20,490 · Wagon

$21,600 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Soul blasts in with 147 horsepower, offering more raw punch than the 2026 Chevrolet Trax's 137 hp, appealing to drivers who prioritize responsiveness from their compact urban hauler. However, the Trax fights back with a significantly stronger 162 lb-ft of torque, beating the Soul's 132 lb-ft, hinting at better low-end pulling power. Both vehicles sip fuel equally, achieving a stellar 30 MPG combined. The Trax gains utility thanks to its larger frame, measuring 178.6 inches long and offering 25.6 cu ft of cargo space, towering over the Soul's 24.2 cu ft. Meanwhile, the Soul undercuts its rival on price, starting at just $20,490 against the Trax's $21,600, making the compact crossover segment a tight battle between power and practicality.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul's lower MSRP of $20,490 provides immediate cost savings crucial for daily commuting budgets.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Chevrolet Trax

The Chevrolet Trax offers slightly more utility with 25.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Soul

The 2025 Kia Soul wins for driving excitement due to its higher 147 hp output compared to the Trax's 137 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul delivers superior horsepower for a lower entry price, offering more performance per dollar spent.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

You prioritize raw horsepower, as the Soul boasts 147 hp versus the Trax's 137 hp.
You want the most affordable entry point, with an MSRP starting at $20,490.
You prefer the slightly more agile handling suggested by its smaller dimensions (165.2 inches long).

Choose the Chevrolet Trax if...

You need better low-end grunt for city merging, thanks to its dominant 162 lb-ft of torque.
Maximum packing space is a must, as the Trax offers 25.6 cu ft of cargo room.
You prefer the traditional feel of a 6-speed shiftable automatic over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Chevrolet Trax
Length	165.2"	178.6"
Width	70.9"	71.8"
Height	63.0"	61.4"
Wheelbase	102.4"	106.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
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	2
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.2 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 3
Base Engine Type	gas	flex-fuel (FFV)
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	137 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	162 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Number of Valves	16	12
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	28/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	369.6/422.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
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	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
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)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	55.7 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	—	52.1 in.

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	54.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	45.8 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	✓	Full
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R H	225/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Steel
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Chevrolet
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.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2026 Chevrolet Trax.

Which vehicle is better for acceleration between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Chevy Trax?

The 2025 Kia Soul has a noticeable advantage in peak power with 147 hp, which typically translates to quicker acceleration feel compared to the Trax's 137 hp. However, the Trax offers more torque (162 lb-ft), which aids in pulling power at lower speeds.

How significant is the difference in size and practicality between these two models?

The 2026 Chevrolet Trax is substantially larger, measuring 178.6 inches in length compared to the Soul’s 165.2 inches. This length difference translates to more utility, with the Trax offering 25.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.

Since both vehicles get 30 MPG combined, is the fuel economy a tie?

Yes, both the Kia Soul and the Chevrolet Trax achieve an identical 30 MPG combined rating using regular unleaded fuel. Minor variations exist in city/highway splits, but overall operational fuel cost should be nearly identical.

Which vehicle uses a more engaging transmission setup?

Enthusiasts might lean toward the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, which utilizes a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. The 2025 Kia Soul relies on a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which prioritizes efficiency over driver engagement.

Is the Kia Soul significantly cheaper than the Trax?

The Kia Soul starts at $20,490, offering savings over the 2026 Chevrolet Trax, which has a slightly higher MSRP of $21,600. This $1,110 price difference makes the Soul the more budget-conscious choice upfront.

Does the Trax’s higher torque help it feel more powerful than the Soul in daily driving?

While the Soul has more horsepower (147 hp), the Trax's 162 lb-ft of torque gives it a substantial edge over the Soul's 132 lb-ft. This means the Trax should feel stronger when initially moving or carrying heavier loads.