2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

$20,490 · Wagon

$24,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Soul hits the streets radiating quirky style, promising efficiency with its 30 MPG combined rating while sticking to a lean $20,490 MSRP. It’s the nimble city hopper, boasting 147 hp and utilizing FWD for lighter handling. Conversely, the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport charges in with the rugged appeal of a crossover, featuring standard All-Wheel Drive and slightly more muscle, manifesting in 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. However, this capability comes at a cost; the Outlander Sport carries a $4,505 higher starting price ($24,995) and trails the Soul by 4 MPG in combined fuel economy. While the Soul offers 24.2 cu ft of cargo space, the slightly larger Outlander Sport measures 171.9 inches long but only nets 21.7 cu ft, illustrating the Soul’s more space-efficient packaging despite the height difference of 63.0 inches versus 64.8 inches.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is the clear commuter champion due to its superior 30 MPG combined efficiency and lower entry price of $20,490.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The 2026 Outlander Sport is favored for families needing the confidence of All-Wheel Drive, despite having slightly less cargo volume at 21.7 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Enthusiasts will appreciate the Outlander Sport's 145 lb-ft of torque and standard AWD for potentially more engaging road dynamics over the FWD Soul.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul delivers substantially better running costs with its 4 MPG advantage and wins on purchase price by saving the buyer $4,505.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Your primary goal is minimizing fuel stops, as the Soul achieves 33 MPG highway.
You demand the lowest initial ownership cost, starting at just $20,490.
Your driving is primarily urban, benefiting from the nimble nature of front-wheel drive.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...

You prioritize traction in adverse weather with standard All-Wheel Drive capability.
You prefer the marginally higher torque output of 145 lb-ft for acceleration feel.
You need the slightly greater overall exterior footprint, measuring 171.9 inches in length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Length	165.2"	171.9"
Width	70.9"	71.3"
Height	63.0"	64.8"
Wheelbase	102.4"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
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	✓	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
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	148 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	145 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	Mitsubishi
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	23/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	363.4/458.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	15.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
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	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
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	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	56.2 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	Mitsubishi
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	37.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	51.6 in.
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
Wheel Material	Steel	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	✓	Full
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R H	P215/70R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Mitsubishi
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./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

How much more expensive is the 2026 Outlander Sport than the 2025 Soul?

The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a significant price gap, starting at $24,995 compared to the Kia Soul’s MSRP of $20,490, creating a $4,505 difference.

Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for long drives?

The 2025 Kia Soul is the superior choice for fuel efficiency, achieving 33 MPG on the highway and a combined rating of 30 MPG, which is 4 MPG better than the Outlander Sport's combined 26 MPG.

Is the difference in horsepower meaningful between these two models?

The power output is nearly identical, with the Soul producing 147 hp and the Outlander Sport making 148 hp; however, the Mitsubishi does have slightly more torque at 145 lb-ft versus 132 lb-ft.

Does the crossover body style of the Outlander Sport provide more usable cargo room?

Surprisingly, no; the Kia Soul wagon configuration provides more capacity with 24.2 cubic feet, whereas the Outlander Sport offers 21.7 cubic feet of space.

What is the primary mechanical advantage of the Outlander Sport?

The main mechanical edge for the Outlander Sport is its standard All-Wheel Drive system, contrasting with the Kia Soul’s front-wheel drive setup.

Are both vehicles easy to maneuver in tight parking spots?

The Kia Soul is inherently more compact in width (70.9 inches) and significantly shorter in length (165.2 inches), suggesting easier maneuverability than the slightly larger Outlander Sport.