2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Volkswagen Taos

$20,490 · Wagon

$26,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Soul delights with its quirky style and value proposition, starting at an inviting $20,490 while delivering 147 hp and a respectable 30 MPG combined. Contrast this with the 2026 Volkswagen Taos, which packs a spirited punch with 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, promising a more engaging drive right out of the gate. While the Soul is inherently smaller at 165.2 inches long, the Taos stretches out to 175.9 inches, contributing to its slightly larger 27.9 cu ft cargo capacity versus the Soul's 24.2 cu ft. Despite the Taos's superior output, the Soul wins on pure efficiency accessibility with an MSRP that is $6,010 less than its VW counterpart, making the Kia a practical icon, whereas the Taos aims for performance dominance in this compact comparison.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volkswagen Taos

The 2026 Volkswagen Taos achieves marginally better fuel economy with 31 MPG combined and offers a smoother ride experience due to its 8-speed automatic transmission.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos provides significantly more room with 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Volkswagen Taos

The Taos boasts a clear performance edge, offering 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque versus the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul undercuts the Volkswagen Taos substantially with an MSRP of $20,490, saving buyers $6,010 upfront.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

You prioritize upfront cost savings, as the Kia Soul starts at $20,490.
You need a nimble vehicle for tight city maneuvering, benefiting from the Soul's compact 165.2-inch length.
You prefer the tried-and-true efficiency of a continuously variable transmission paired with 33 MPG highway.

Choose the Volkswagen Taos if...

You crave superior acceleration provided by the Taos's 174 hp engine.
You require maximum utility, as the Taos offers 27.9 cu ft of cargo volume.
You desire a more conventional driving feel from the responsive 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Volkswagen Taos
Length	165.2"	175.9"
Width	70.9"	72.5"
Height	63.0"	64.5"
Wheelbase	102.4"	105.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
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	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	174 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 1750 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	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	28/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	369.6/475.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	13.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
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	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
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)	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	40.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	56.5 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	6-way
Front Hip Room	—	53.9 in.
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	39.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	37.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	45.4 in.
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
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	215/55R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2026 Volkswagen Taos.

Is the 2026 Volkswagen Taos significantly faster than the 2025 Kia Soul?

Yes, the Taos delivers noticeably more grunt with 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Soul's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, which should translate to quicker acceleration.

How much more space does the Taos offer over the Soul?

The 2026 Taos provides a practical advantage in hauling capability, offering 27.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the 2025 Soul’s 24.2 cu ft.

Which vehicle saves more money annually on fuel?

While both use regular unleaded fuel, the Taos has a slight edge, achieving 31 MPG combined versus the Soul's 30 MPG combined, though the Soul's lower starting price offsets minor fuel differences.

What is the primary transmission difference between these two models?

The Kia Soul utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), prioritizing smooth, efficiency-focused driving, whereas the VW Taos uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic, offering a more traditional and performance-oriented gear engagement.

Why is the Taos so much more expensive than the Kia Soul?

The 2026 Volkswagen Taos starts at $26,500, making it $6,010 pricier than the $20,490 Kia Soul, likely due to its increased power output and larger physical dimensions.