2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Honda HR-V

$20,490 · Wagon

$26,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the freshly styled 2025 Kia Soul and the slightly larger 2026 Honda HR-V often boils down to budget versus refinement. The most glaring difference is the $5,710 gap in their starting MSRPs, with the Soul beginning at $20,490 while the HR-V commands $26,200. For the everyday driver, the Soul offers slightly better fuel economy, achieving a combined 30 MPG compared to the HR-V's 28 MPG. However, the HR-V brings a bit more grunt to the table with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, beating the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. Size-wise, the HR-V is noticeably longer at 179.8 inches versus the Soul's 165.2 inches, though cargo capacity is virtually identical at 24.4 cu ft versus 24.2 cu ft. The choice is between saving significant cash with the fuel-sipping Soul or paying a premium for the HR-V's greater power and marginally larger footprint.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The 2025 Kia Soul wins for commuters due to its superior 30 MPG combined fuel economy and lower starting price of $20,490.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Honda HR-V

The 2026 Honda HR-V is better suited for families as it is 14.6 inches longer and offers 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly edging out the Soul.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Honda HR-V

The HR-V appeals more to enthusiasts with its higher output of 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul delivers excellent utility while saving buyers $5,710 upfront compared to the Honda HR-V.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

You need the lowest possible entry price point, starting at just $20,490.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is key, as the Soul achieves 33 MPG on the highway.
You prefer a slightly more nimble vehicle with a shorter length of 165.2 inches for tight city parking.

Choose the Honda HR-V if...

You value a bit more raw power from the 158 hp engine.
You appreciate a longer overall body structure, measuring 179.8 inches for a more traditional crossover stance.
You are comfortable paying an extra $5,710 for the latest model year refinement.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Honda HR-V
Length	165.2"	179.8"
Width	70.9"	72.4"
Height	63.0"	63.4"
Wheelbase	102.4"	104.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Honda
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	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Honda
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	158 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	138 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	Honda
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Honda
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.	364.0/448.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	14.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Honda
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	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Honda
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	9.0 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	✓	—
Stereo Power	—	180W
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Honda
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	56.6 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	—	54.0 in.

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Honda
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	37.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	47.4 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Honda
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	✓	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R H	215/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Honda
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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2026 Honda HR-V.

How big is the practical difference in cargo space between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Honda HR-V?

The difference is negligible in real-world use; the HR-V offers 24.4 cu ft of cargo capacity, while the Soul is right behind it with 24.2 cu ft. Both vehicles provide plenty of space for weekly grocery runs or weekend gear.

Is the fuel economy difference significant enough to sway my decision?

Yes, the Soul holds a slight edge with 30 MPG combined versus the HR-V's 28 MPG combined. Over thousands of miles annually, this 2 MPG advantage could save you some money at the pump, especially since both use regular unleaded fuel.

Why is the 2026 Honda HR-V so much more expensive than the Kia Soul?

The primary reason for the $5,710 MSRP difference is often related to the HR-V being a newer generation crossover platform versus the Soul's wagon styling, often incorporating more standard safety or convenience features.