Model year guide

2020 Kia Soul

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2020 Kia Soul is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 29 on record.

2020 Kia Soul — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2020 Kia Soul at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints353
Combined29 mpg
Typical price$19,598

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2020 Kia Soul recalls 1

Engine NHTSA Campaign #21V259000 · 13/04/2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2020 Kia Soul common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2020 Kia Soul MPG & running costs

Combined29 mpg
City26 mpg
Highway32 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,150

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2020 Kia Soul worth?

Low
$16,900
Typical price
$19,598
High
$22,735

From 25 comparable 2020 Kia Soul listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2020 Kia Soul costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$6,700
Total$17,450
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($19,598) with the same model 5 model-years older ($12,893), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2020 Kia Soul trims & engines on record

Trims
LX, S, X-Line · GT-Line Turbo · EX · GT-Line
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 147 hp · 1.6L 4-cyl 201 hp

2020 Kia Soul vehicles on record

2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU0L7004711 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line TurboKNDJ53AF0L7091325 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line TurboKNDJ53AF6L7013941 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul GT-LineKNDJ63AU3L7081223 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU6L7037891 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU0L7017720 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU6L7026163 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU8L7097462 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU2L7027455 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU4L7011192 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU0L7724591 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ22AU7L7042009 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul GT-LineKNDJ63AU1L7068051 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AUXL7024920 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU5L7072342 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AUXL7034377 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU9L7011558 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU0L7093969 2020 Kia Soul EXKNDJ33AU9L7007636 2020 Kia Soul 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line TurboKNDJ53AFXL7016471 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU1L7068532 2020 Kia Soul EXKNDJ33AU8L7077211 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU6L7014062 2020 Kia Soul LX, S, X-LineKNDJ23AU7L7025717

Other Kia Soul model years

2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

2020 Kia Soul — frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2020 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Soul?

Based on 353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Soul get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2020 Kia Soul at about 29 mpg combined (26 city / 32 highway).

How much is a 2020 Kia Soul worth?

Comparable 2020 Kia Soul listings run roughly $16,900–$22,735, typically around $19,598 (from 25 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.