How Many Miles & Years Do Kia Souls Last? (9 Questions Answered)

Are you looking for an affordable car that can accommodate your large family? Get the Kia Soul.

The Kia Soul has a large luggage space and cushy seats to keep your passengers comfortable during rides.

This article will discuss the longevity of Kia Souls.

But before we go there, make sure to check our list of most common problems with the Kia Soul.

Here’s the short answer to how long the Kia Soul Lasts:

A well-maintained Kia Soul can last an average of 200,000 miles before requiring major repairs. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, a Kia Soul should serve you for 13 years with minimal headache. 

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Kia Soul?

Kia Souls can last for 200,000 miles or an average of 13 years. If you maintain the car, use it regularly, and avoid overburdening it, it may last longer.

Except your model year has several factory and manufacturing defects, Kia Souls are highly reliable and should reach this beautiful round figure with no catastrophic failure.

If you use your vehicle for commercial purposes, say, ride hailing services, your Kia Soul may only last about 10 years or even less before it goes out of use.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on Your Kia Soul?

According to Kia Soul drivers, the vehicle often starts rusting after four years of usage.

Thankfully, the Kia Soul has a 5-year rust warranty. So, Kia will probably pay for the repainting of your Soul if rust appears on the car in the fourth year after you purchased it.

That said, you can delay rusting on your car with rust-proofing techniques such as applying wax on your vehicle every year.

In addition, several users complained about rail dust appearing on their Kia Soul in the year they bought the car. When carmakers transport their vehicles on trains, particles from the rail tracks deposit themselves onto the car. These particles are called rail dust.

Because rail dust often looks like rust, many drivers often confuse them. You can remove rail dust from your car if you apply clay bar on your vehicle immediately after buying it.

How Long Do Kia Souls Last Compared to Similar Cars?

The Kia Soul is a very durable car. Nevertheless, you may want to compare the vehicle’s longevity against other compacts before buying one. Here’s a comparison between the Kia Souls and other vehicles in its class:

1. Kia Soul vs. Ford EcoSport: The Kia Soul lasts longer than the Ford EcoSport. Ford EcoSport only last for about 100,000 miles. On the other hand, a Kia Soul can last as long as 200,000 miles.
2. Kia Soul vs. Chevrolet Trax: Most Chevrolet Traxes have shorter lifespans than Kia Souls. You can travel 200,000 on your Kia Soul before it experiences a major breakdown. In contrast, the average Chevrolet Trax lasts for 100,000 miles.
3. Kia Soul vs. Toyota C-HR: Kia Souls and Toyota CH-Rs share the same level of durability. While Toyota C-HRS often lasts between 150,000 to 200,000 miles, most Kia Souls last an average of 200,000 miles.

Please also read our article about how long the Toyota C-HR lasts.

How Reliable Is a Kia Soul?

The Kia Soul offers high reliability to its users. For instance, J.D. Power rates the 2020 Kia Soul an 89 out of 100.

Several customers also attest to the dependability of the vehicle. Brian S., a 2012 Kia Soul owner on cars.com, says that her car still works perfectly, even though she has driven it for eight years.

In addition, Kia covers the cost of all Kia Soul repairs that occur within the first five years of usage. However, the percentage of the repair cost that the brand covers may reduce the older your vehicle gets.

The Best and Worst Years for Kia Soul

While it’s tricky to determine the best and worst Kia Soul years, some model years are obvious choices.

The worst model year for the Kia Soul is 2015. According to carcomplaints.com, the 2015 Kia Soul had the highest complaints about significant issues like engine and mileage problems.

Most of the dissatisfied customers reported engine problems, which often cost a fortune to repair. According to these 2015 Kia Soul owners, they had to replace the faulty engines with about $2,720.

The 2021 Kia Soul is the best model year so far. This version is faster and offers more horsepower than previous models. Unlike the 2019 Kia Soul, which has only 130 hp, the 2021 Kia Soul boasts 147 hp.

Make sure to also read our article about how long the Ford EcoSport last.

What About Recalls for These Models?

Kia and the NHTSA has issued eight recalls for the Kia Soul.

The 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2021 model years have been recalled.

Kia recalled some 2015 Kia Soul models because of their faulty accelerator pedals. These accelerator pedals may bend and break while the vehicle is on the road, leading to car crashes.

The company also made recalls for 2021 Kia Souls to repair the cars’ engines. Sometimes, the piston oil rings in these engines often experienced overheating. If overheating occurs frequently, it could damage the engine and cause accidents during rides.

Kia Soul Model Year List

Here is a list of the model years for the Kia Soul:

• 2009 Kia Soul
• 2010 Kia Soul
• 2011 Kia Soul
• 2012 Kia Soul
• 2013 Kia Soul
• 2014 Kia Soul
• 2015 Kia Soul
• 2016 Kia Soul
• 2017 Kia Soul
• 2018 Kia Soul
• 2019 Kia Soul
• 2020 Kia Soul
• 2021 Kia Soul

Also read our article about how long the Honda HR-V lasts.

Are Kia Souls Expensive to Maintain?

Compared to similar subcompact crossover SUVs, maintenance and repair costs for the Kia Soul are cheap.

Repairpal.com states that the average maintenance cost for a Kia Soul is $437 per year.

How Long Do Kia Soul Brake Pads Last?

Kia Soul brake pads often last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles.

That said, you might need to change your brake pads much earlier if you commute daily on busy roads. Your brake pads may last for a longer time if you drive at regular speed and avoid making abrupt stops on the road.

Replacement Kia Soul brake pads may cost between $202-$221.

How Long Do Kia Soul Tires Last?

The average Kia Soul tire lasts between 36,000-60,000 miles. If you notice that the sidewalls of your Kia Soul tires are ripping apart, you might need to replace them.

That said, you can extend the lifespan of your tires by rotating and inspecting them when you service the car. Checking your tires’ pressure and inflating them when needed can also help them last longer.

How Long Do Kia Soul Transmissions Last?

Your Kia transmission can last 150,000 miles or more. 

Make sure to service the transmission regularly and use the manufacturer-recommended fluid.

How Long Do Kia Soul Spark Plugs Last?

Kia advises Kia Soul drivers to change their vehicle’s spark plugs after driving 105,000 miles. You may also replace your spark plugs if your vehicle’s fuel economy reduces drastically.

What About Insurance Cost for Kia Souls?

It costs an average of $164.26 per month or $1983.12 per year to insure a Kia Soul, according to finder.com.

Several factors may determine the cost of your insurance premium. These factors include:

1. Gender: Insurance companies may require male customers to pay higher insurance fees than females on Kia Souls.
2. Age: Usually, drivers above 50 years old enjoy reduced insurance rates. Insurance costs for teenagers and young adults are often very expensive.
3. Credit Score: If you have a low credit score, your Kia Soul insurance fees may cost a lot of money. In contrast, insurance companies offer coverage to drivers with good credit scores at low rates.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Kia Soul

You can increase the durability of your Kia Soul if you adopt the following tips:

1. Use the manufacturer recommended engine oil for servicing the vehicle.
2. Check the air pressure of your tires frequently and inflate your tires whenever the pressure falls.
3. Always drive at normal speed to avoid wearing out your brake pads.
4. Wash your car at least once a week to remove salt or other rust-inducing materials if you live in the Rust Belt or near the coast.
5. Apply wax on your Kia Soul at least once every year to keep the paint shining and blemish free. 

Sources

KIA SOUL | carcomplaints.com

2021 Kia Soul | jdpower.com

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