In an automotive market where new car prices are consistently rising, finding a vehicle under $20,000 in the United States is becoming increasingly rare. While a few options remain, Kia distinguishes itself by offering two compelling choices in the subcompact crossover segment that provide excellent value: the Kia Soul and the Kia Seltos. This article provides a thorough analysis of these two models, highlighting their differences and similarities in pricing, design, performance, and interior amenities, catering to consumers seeking an economical yet capable vehicle.
The Kia Soul, known for its distinctive styling and budget-friendly price, typically starts just above $20,000, upholding Kia's legacy of affordability. Despite its accessible price point, the Soul does not compromise on character or practicality. For those considering a slightly higher investment, the Kia Seltos enters the scene as a more upscale, albeit still economical, alternative. Both models serve as excellent examples of Kia's commitment to delivering competitive options across various price tiers, even as the brand expands into more premium segments like the EV9 three-row electric SUV.
When it comes to pricing and market positioning, both the Soul and Seltos are categorized as subcompact crossovers. The 2025 Kia Soul is presented as the more basic and cost-effective option, while the 2026 Kia Seltos, with a higher starting price, offers enhanced features and refinement. The entry-level Seltos is approximately $3,200 more expensive than its Soul counterpart. However, there is a considerable overlap in the pricing of their higher trim levels. The Soul's trim lineup includes LX, S, GT-Line, and EX, whereas the Seltos replaces the GT-Line with the SX trim, showcasing a divergence in their premium offerings.
Visually, the Soul and Seltos offer distinct aesthetics despite sharing a common brand and similar pricing. The Soul maintains its signature boxy and upright profile, giving it a taller and narrower appearance. In contrast, the Seltos projects a broader and more substantial presence with its curvier design. This visual perception is somewhat deceptive, as both vehicles share an identical width of 70.9 inches, and the Seltos is actually marginally taller. The most significant dimensional difference lies in their length: the Seltos measures 172.6 inches, while the Soul is a more compact 165.2 inches. The Seltos also boasts a few more standard exterior features, such as 17-inch alloy wheels compared to the Soul's 16-inch steel wheels with covers, and an LED high-mounted stop lamp, an upgrade from the Soul's non-LED version. Additionally, the Seltos uniquely features an acoustic laminated windshield, contributing to a quieter cabin experience.
Under the hood, both models offer reliable performance, though the Seltos provides more versatile options. Every Kia Soul is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is not an option for the Soul. This configuration allows the Soul to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in the low eight-second range. The Seltos also starts with the same 147-hp engine in its lower three trims, but notably, these can be upgraded with all-wheel drive. The top-tier Seltos SX trim features a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, combined with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, reducing its 0-60 mph acceleration time to approximately seven seconds. Both vehicles demonstrate comparable fuel efficiency, achieving around 31 mpg combined with the 2.0L engine, while the turbocharged Seltos sees a slight reduction to 25 mpg.
Inside, the Soul provides a spacious and bright cabin with practical finishes, maintaining a solid build quality typical of an affordable vehicle. Despite being physically smaller, the Soul surprisingly offers more rear legroom and headroom than the Seltos. However, the Seltos slightly surpasses the Soul in cargo capacity, offering 26.6 cubic feet compared to the Soul's 24.2 cubic feet. Standard features in the Kia Soul include a six-way manual driver's seat, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, and a suite of safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher Soul trims can even be equipped with amenities such as a sunroof, partial leather trim, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The Seltos, on the other hand, presents a more sophisticated interior, also featuring an eight-inch touchscreen. Its optional upgrades include ventilated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, SynTex imitation leather upholstery, and advanced lane-following assist, none of which are available on the Soul. Upper Seltos trims also boast a modern dual-screen layout that integrates the gauge cluster and infotainment system more seamlessly than the Soul's separate displays.
Both the Kia Soul and Seltos represent robust and economical choices within the crossover market. The Soul stands out as Kia's most affordable offering, delivering substantial interior space and a comprehensive array of tech and safety features without a premium price tag. The Seltos, with its more refined feel, optional all-wheel drive, and powerful turbocharged engine in the SX trim, justifies its slightly higher cost. These models collectively underscore Kia's unwavering dedication to providing diverse and value-driven options for consumers, ensuring that even at the lower end of the price spectrum, buyers can find a vehicle that meets their needs and exceeds expectations, regardless of the brand's broader move towards higher-end offerings.