2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Subaru Forester

$20,490 · Wagon

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Subaru Forester is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the Forester starting at $29,995, a substantial $9,505 premium over the Soul's $20,490 entry price. This price gap directly influences the value proposition, although the Forester counters with a higher performance output of 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque compared to the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. Fuel economy remains closely matched, with the Soul achieving 30 MPG combined versus the Forester's 29 MPG combined. Dimensionally, the Forester is significantly larger, measuring 183.3 inches long and offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo space, notably more than the Soul's 24.2 cu ft. The crucial drivetrain difference sees the Forester standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), contrasting with the Soul's Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) configuration.

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 rating and lower initial cost of ownership.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Forester

The 2026 Subaru Forester is superior for families, offering greater overall size (183.3 inches long) and a larger 29.6 cu ft cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Forester

The 2026 Subaru Forester is the enthusiast choice, providing a 33 hp advantage (180 hp vs 147 hp) and standard All-Wheel Drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The 2025 Kia Soul delivers superior fiscal value, starting $9,505 less expensive than the competitor while still delivering acceptable efficiency.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

Your budget prioritizes a lower entry price, with the MSRP starting at just $20,490.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is paramount, as the Soul achieves 30 MPG combined versus 29 MPG for the Forester.
You prioritize maneuverability with a shorter length of 165.2 inches and FWD layout.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

All-Weather capability is required, confirmed by its standard All-Wheel Drive system.
Greater utility is needed, demonstrated by its 29.6 cu ft cargo capacity, exceeding the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.
You demand superior acceleration metrics, indicated by 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Subaru Forester
Length	165.2"	183.3"
Width	70.9"	72.0"
Height	63.0"	68.1"
Wheelbase	102.4"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	7.0 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	✓	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	43.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	57.7 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	—	54.7 in.

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	56.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	53.7 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2026 Subaru Forester.

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Subaru Forester?

The 2026 Subaru Forester delivers substantially more power with 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the 2025 Kia Soul is rated at 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque.

How does the price point affect the overall value comparison?

The $9,505 price discrepancy heavily favors the Kia Soul on initial cost; however, buyers must weigh this against the Forester's standard AWD system and increased dimensions.

Which vehicle offers better utility for hauling gear?

The 2026 Subaru Forester offers better utility, boasting 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Kia Soul trails with 24.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats.

Are the fuel economy ratings significantly different between these two vehicles?

No, the fuel economy figures are very close, with the FWD Kia Soul achieving 30 MPG combined (27 City/33 Highway). The AWD Forester is rated just one MPG lower at 29 MPG combined (26 City/33 Highway).

Is there a difference in drive configuration that impacts driving conditions?

Yes, the 2026 Forester comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), providing enhanced traction in varied weather, while the 2025 Soul utilizes a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system.

How much larger is the exterior of the 2026 Forester compared to the 2025 Soul?

The Forester is notably larger, measuring 183.3 inches in length compared to the Soul's 165.2 inches. The Forester is also wider (72.0 in vs 70.9 in) and significantly taller (68.1 in vs 63.0 in).