Is the 2014 Kia Soul a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B7/10
The Kia Soul is a solid choice if you're looking for practicality and style on a budget. It's versatile and offers good value, but be mindful of some quirky issues.
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Pros
- Spacious interior
- Unique style
- Affordable maintenance costs
Cons
- Average driving dynamics
- Limited cargo space
- Poorer ride quality on bumpy roads
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
24 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,500/yr
Expected lifespan
200,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Navigation system glitches
- Hard shifting or transmission delays
- Sunroof rattles
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (5)
The 2014 Kia Soul has 5 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Air Bags — Frontal (campaign 22V096000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Engine — Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting …
- Steering — Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.…
- Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal — Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.…
- Air Bags — Frontal — Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.…
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.