Which Years Of Used Kia Souls Are Most Reliable?
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The Kia Soul is a decent subcompact car, well-known for its controversial square shape. Most people love or hate the design with every fiber of their being. If you’re interested in purchasing a used version of this vehicle, it’s critical to get the most for your money. You might wonder - what is the most reliable Kia Soul year?
Buying used means taking a gamble on the reliability of the year you purchase. However, it’s ideal to know the best choices to get the most out of your investment. Read on to learn more about the most reliable Kia Soul year, the reliability of the Kia Soul across the board, the worst years, and everything else you should know before buying used.
THE KIA SOUL YEARS TO AVOID
We’ve highlighted some of the worst Kia Soul years to avoid due to reliability issues, alongside the safe ones for used purchases.
Most Reliable Years For The Soul
The Kia Soul is loved for many reasons, not just the unique shell you drive around. It also comes with excellent safety features and one-of-a-kind interior additions for a fun drive every single time. However, with more than ten years on the market, it’s tricky to narrow down the most reliable used selection. Luckily, we have some suggestions for you.
Those searching for the most reliable Kia Soul year will enjoy the following selections:
- 2011 Kia Soul
- 2018 Kia Soul
- 2019 Kia Soul
These are incredible choices if you want a year that will last for a long time.
Kia did a quality job these years, producing vehicles with excellent stamina and features to keep the car and people inside in one piece for years. You will have to take these vehicles to the shop much less often than with other available used years from the Kia Soul.
These are the top three choices for reliability when considering the Kia Soul. However, they don’t speak for average reliability. How does the Kia Soul look in general when considering every year?
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Are Kia Souls Generally Reliable?
Before going all in on the Soul’s unique shape, it’s helpful to understand whether you’re investing in a vehicle known for its reliability. Let’s talk about it.
The Kia Soul reveals decent reliability, rising above the rest of its competitors. According to withclutch.com, the Soul scores 70.95 which makes it very reliable. It’s more than ten points higher than the second-place Kia Sedona from the brand.
A second opinion is an excellent idea, too. According to repairpal.com, the Kia Soul receives a 4.5⁄5, which makes it one of the top competitors in the category. This score puts it third out of seven competing subcompact vehicles.
The annual repair cost of a Kia Soul is $437, slightly below the average of $466 for all competing subcompact vehicles. If there is a repair needed for the Soul system, there is a 9% chance the necessary repair will be severe.
Those who drive Kia Souls report bringing them in for unexpected fixes an average of .2 times a year, which is right on average for other subcompact vehicles. It might not be better than average, but you don’t have to anticipate a high number of unexpected fixes throughout the year. The Kia Soul is a generally reliable selection.
Which Kia Soul Years Are The Least Reliable?
We’ve gone over the most reliable selections for the Kia Soul. Now, let’s talk about the worst choices. It’s vital to be aware of these so you know which cars will provide value to your dollar and which ones will not.
If you’re searching for the most reliable Kia Soul year, stay away from these options:
- 2012 Kia Soul
- 2013 Kia Soul
- 2014 Kia Soul
- 2015 Kia Soul
- 2016 Kia Soul
Keep clear of these years if you want to get the most bang for your buck.
There were plenty of complaints during these years. One of the most commonly reported issues was sudden engine failure, shutting down without warning. Not only is this issue dangerous, but it also warrants thousands of dollars in repair or replacement fees. Most reported engine failure before the car even reached 100,000 miles. It’s a big deal.
These years might experience the most troublesome faults. However, issues appear across all Kia Soul years.
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What Are The Most Common Issues With A Kia Soul?
Customer complaints are an excellent place to look before putting all your money down on a Kia Soul. Although most issues lie in the worst years, a few appear across the lifespan of the Kia Soul.
According to motorandwheels.com, here are the most common issues with the Kia Soul:
- Blown engine/engine failure
- Engine knocking noises
- Clicking sound when turning
- Surging during cruise control
These will interrupt your driving experience and warrant a trip to the repair shop.
One of these issues could appear in your used Kia Soul, no matter which year you drive. However, they are most common in the worst years.
We’ve gone over many details considering the reliability of the Kia Soul. Now, it’s time for the ultimate question - is the Kia Soul worth it?
Is The Kia Soul Worth It?
Although there are flaws in the Kia Soul, it’s a generally reliable choice if you want a safe and practical subcompact option from the Kia brand. As long as you avoid the worst years and go for the best, you will get excellent value for your money.
Of course, owning a Kia Soul means being confident in the unique square design. Its reliability will take you far if you’re confident as an owner.
Although Kia has some unreliable vehicles, the Kia Soul isn’t one of them. It’s at the top of their available options.
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Final Thoughts
Despite the strange appearance, the Kia Soul is generally reliable and will provide excellent value if you want a used car. There are several affordable and durable options, ready to provide you with an excellent ride.
We hope this information was helpful! It might be stressful landing on the most reliable Soul on the market with so many options available, but our analysis should help you narrow down your options a little bit. The Kia Souls is an excellent car, no matter what your life looks like.
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