Used 2021 Kia Soul for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost?

Prices have softened 4.35% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,667 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare by trim, mileage, and condition.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul a good car?

Generally — the 4.33/5 user rating and 7.0/10 expert rating point to a well-liked, well-rounded used choice. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its unique design, comfortable interior, and practical features, and many also call out its reliability and easy entry. In use, that lines up with the Soul’s roomy cabin, straightforward tech, and everyday usefulness.

The trade-offs are clear: the design can be polarizing, all-wheel drive isn’t offered, and road noise can be noticeable. For you, that means the Soul makes the most sense if you want a compact crossover with personality and space rather than maximum refinement or traction flexibility.

With 31.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to shop selectively without feeling rushed.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?

Owners rate it 4.33/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a reliable, dependable, and trouble-free ownership experience, with many owners saying they can count on it and appreciate its long-term practicality. The expert evaluation also describes the Soul as a stout, value-focused choice that delivers useful everyday transportation without much fuss.

Kia’s warranty coverage adds another ownership perk, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the basic formula and more about finding a well-kept example with a clean maintenance history.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Kia Soul?

At 71.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the equipment on the car matches the trim level being advertised.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the entry point, while higher trims add more convenience and comfort features; the base trim can be light on advanced equipment unless it has the available Technology Package.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a 2.0-liter inline-four with either a six-speed manual or CVT, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; the turbo brings the most punch.
• Safety package: Available driver-assistance features include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, lane change assist, driver attention monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert/rear collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 10.25-inch screen is available; Kia also offers voice recognition and over-the-air-style simplicity through its easy-to-use interface.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine returns 26/31/27 mpg with the manual, 28/33/30 mpg with the CVT, and the turbocharged engine returns 27/32/29 mpg.

Which 2021 Kia Soul trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia Soul is offered in 6 trim levels: LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the value starting point, and it makes the Soul’s core strengths accessible at the lowest price. If you want the lowest entry cost and plan to add the available Technology Package for more safety equipment, this is the trim to watch.
• S: This trim is the sensible step up if you want a little more equipment without jumping too far in price. It fits buyers who want a better-balanced daily driver than the base model.
• X-Line: This trim adds a more distinctive look and is one of the trims that gets revised suspension tuning for 2021. It suits you if style matters and you want a slightly more expressive version of the Soul.
• GT-Line: This is the best-value pick for many shoppers because it combines a sportier appearance with the same 2021 suspension updates. It’s the trim to target if you want more personality without moving all the way to the top of the range.
• EX: This is the comfort-oriented choice, aimed at buyers who want more upscale standard features and a more polished daily experience.
• Turbo: This is the performance-oriented trim, with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and dual-clutch transmission for the strongest acceleration and the most engaging powertrain.

The LX’s available Technology Package is the key safety-package note to keep in mind if you want more advanced driver assistance without moving up the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Kia Soul?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,667 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.35% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $13,629, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia Soul's resale value?

The current average of $13,909 sits slightly below last year's $14,541.

That softer pricing suggests the Soul is in a buyer-friendly phase right now, which can help you get more car for your money. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim rather than on broad market momentum alone.

Because the Soul has a strong reputation for practicality and easy ownership, well-kept examples should continue to draw interest. If you maintain yours carefully and keep the history clean, you’ll be in a better position when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.33/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia Soul safe?

The 2021 Kia Soul earns a 2021 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and four stars overall from NHTSA, with four stars for front crash safety, five stars for side crash safety, and four stars for rollover resistance.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Soul’s safety story is strong, especially because it includes good crash-test performance and a broad list of available driver-assistance features. Those features include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, lane change assist, driver attention monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert/rear collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

One caveat is that some safety equipment is held back in added-cost options, and the IIHS headlight result varies by trim level. If safety is a priority, you should pay close attention to which trim and package combination you’re looking at.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Soul or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.35% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It adds a standard rear occupant alert and revised suspension tuning for the X-Line and GT-Line trims.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $12,663, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $13,909 average.
• It blends the utility of a small SUV with the efficiency and driving refinement of a compact car.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2021 is the stronger pick because it combines a softer market price, solid owner satisfaction, and useful updates. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the better value play, especially if you find one in clean condition with the features you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.