2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Hyundai Kona

$20,490 · Wagon

$25,350 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the freshly styled 2026 Hyundai Kona and the established 2025 Kia Soul often boils down to budget versus marginal utility gains. Buyers looking to save nearly five thousand dollars upfront will gravitate towards the Soul, starting at just $20,490, while the Kona commands $25,350. Performance figures are identical, with both vehicles producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. However, the newer Kona offers a slight edge in efficiency, achieving 31 combined MPG compared to the Soul's 30 combined MPG, and it nets a slightly larger 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space versus the Soul's 24.2 cubic feet. Furthermore, the Kona is notably longer at 171.3 inches compared to the Soul's 165.2 inches. For budget-conscious drivers prioritizing immediate savings, the value proposition of the Kia Soul is compelling.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona wins slightly due to its marginally better combined fuel economy of 31 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona provides a bit more usable space with 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Kia Soul's 24.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Soul

Since both cars share the exact same 147 hp engine, the lower MSRP of the Kia Soul provides better performance-per-dollar excitement.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The 2025 Kia Soul is the clear winner here, saving buyers a significant $4,860 MSRP difference.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

You need the absolute lowest entry price, starting at $20,490.
You prefer the more upright, boxy design style of the traditional wagon body.
You value a smaller overall footprint, as the Soul is 6.1 inches shorter in length (165.2 inches) than the Kona.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

You prioritize maximum cargo space, with 25.5 cu ft available versus 24.2 cu ft in the Soul.
You want the slight efficiency boost, netting 34 highway MPG compared to the Soul's 33 MPG.
You prefer a vehicle that is slightly wider (71.9 inches) for potentially broader shoulder room.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Hyundai Kona
Length	165.2"	171.3"
Width	70.9"	71.9"
Height	63.0"	62.2"
Wheelbase	102.4"	104.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
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	Hyundai
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	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	132 lb-ft @ 4500 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	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	29/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	359.6/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
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	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Audio/Video Remote Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	56.8 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	—
Front Hip Room	—	54.3 in.

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	38.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	52.4 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
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	215/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2026 Hyundai Kona.

Is the 2026 Hyundai Kona much bigger than the 2025 Kia Soul?

Yes, the Kona is physically larger overall. It measures 171.3 inches in length compared to the Soul's 165.2 inches, giving it 1.3 extra cubic feet of cargo space (25.5 vs. 24.2 cu ft).

How big is the price gap between these two vehicles?

There is a substantial $4,860 difference in their starting MSRPs, with the 2025 Kia Soul listed at $20,490 and the 2026 Hyundai Kona starting at $25,350.

Do these cars have different engine performance?

No, based on the specs provided, both vehicles output identical power: 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque.

Which one saves me more money at the pump?

The 2026 Hyundai Kona is marginally better on fuel, offering 31 combined MPG compared to the Kia Soul’s 30 combined MPG, though both use regular unleaded gasoline.

Are both cars front-wheel drive with an automatic transmission?

Yes, both the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Hyundai Kona are listed with front-wheel drive (FWD) and utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).

If I care about sporty driving feel, which one should I lean toward?

Neither vehicle is designed for performance thrills as both share identical, modest power figures. However, for enthusiasts focused strictly on immediate cash savings, the $4,860 cheaper Kia Soul maximizes the bang for your initial buck.