5 Reasons Why We’ll Miss the Kia Soul

Yes, We’ll Miss the Hamsters, Too

After 16 model years of boxy charm and dancing hamster commercials, Kia has retired its funky little hatchback. The 2025 model year was its last, and a small piece of the brand’s personality rolls off the lot with it. Before the final units find their owners, we wanted to look back at what made this quirky box so hard to say goodbye to.

• The Soul packed more cargo room and headroom into a tiny footprint than almost anything else its size.
• A starting price in the low twenties made it one of the easiest small cars to recommend.
• Its shape, bright paint colors, and city-friendly size gave it a personality most crossovers never had.

A Look Back at What Made the Kia Soul Special

Kia confirmed the news in October 2025. The Soul will not return as a 2026 model, closing out a run that started back in 2009 and sold more than 1.5 million copies in the U.S. It helped put Kia on the map at a time when the brand was still proving itself to American buyers. So this goodbye stings a little more than most.

Boxy Looks That Stood Out

You always knew a Soul when you saw one. That upright, squared-off shape never tried to blend in with the wave of curvy crossovers that took over parking lots. It started as a rival to the Scion xB and Nissan Cube, then outlasted both by years. Love it or not, the silhouette had character, and character is getting rare in this price range.

Room You Wouldn’t Expect From Something This Small

Open the hatch, and the Soul gives you 24.2 cubic feet behind the back seats. Fold those seats flat, and you’ve got 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space. That tall roofline meant grocery runs, IKEA hauls, and a couple of dogs all fit without drama. For a car you could park almost anywhere, it swallowed a surprising amount of stuff.

A Price That Made Sense

The Soul started at around $22,000, keeping it within reach for first-time buyers and folks watching their budgets. Every trim ran the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower, paired with an automatic and sending power to the front wheels. No confusing engine menus, no upsell pressure. You picked the look and features you liked and drove home.

Personality You Could Actually Feel

Few cars under $30,000 had this much attitude. Bold two-tone roofs, mood lighting, GT-Line styling, and that famous hamster marketing made the Soul fun in a way spreadsheets can’t measure. People named their Souls. They put stickers on them. That kind of loyalty is tough to buy, and Kia earned it.

Built for City Streets and Tight Parking

Anyone driving downtown Indy knows the struggle of squeezing into a spot near Mass Ave or fighting for room in a Broad Ripple lot. The Soul’s short body and tight turning radius made all of that easier. Quick trips up US-31, a run to Greenwood Park Mall, or a dash across I-465 felt effortless in something this nimble. It just fit the way people actually drive around here.

How the Soul Trims Stack Up Against the Kia Seltos

If you came shopping for a Soul, the Kia Seltos is the closest thing in showrooms now. It rides on the same 147-horsepower base engine, offers more cargo room, and adds two things the Soul never had: available all-wheel drive and an optional turbo. The chart below sets the final Soul lineup next to the current Seltos trims.

Finding a Used Kia Soul Around Indianapolis

The good news is that a used Kia Soul will be easy to find for years. With so many on the road, the pre-owned market gives shoppers plenty of choices at friendly prices. Look for a clean S or EX trim if you want the bigger touchscreen and nicer seats. Check the service history, confirm the CVT shifts smoothly, and you’ll have a roomy little hatch that holds its charm.

Picking Up Where the Soul Left Off

The Soul earned its fans by being honest, roomy, and fun without asking much in return. That spirit lives on in the rest of Kia’s small SUV lineup, with the Seltos as the most natural next step for anyone who loved the boxy original. Whether you chase down one of the last new models or grab a clean used one, the Soul still has plenty to give a new owner.

See Kia’s Lineup at Ray Skillman Southside Kia

We know how many south-side drivers fell for the Soul over the years, and we’re right here on US-31 to help you find your next one. Stop by, and we can show you the remaining Soul inventory while it lasts, walk you through a Seltos if you want available all-wheel drive, or set you up with a clean used Soul that fits your budget. Our team will line up financing that works for you and keep your Kia running with certified service close to home. Come see us, and we’ll help you find the right fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kia Soul discontinued?

Yes. Kia confirmed in October 2025 that the Soul will not return as a 2026 model, ending its run after the 2025 model year.

What was the last model year of the Kia Soul?

The 2025 model year was the final one for the Soul. Production ended in October 2025, with a few thousand new units left at dealers.

Which new Kia is most like the Soul?

The Kia Seltos is the closest current option. It uses the same 147-horsepower base engine, adds more cargo room, and offers available all-wheel drive and an optional turbo.

Can I still buy a new Kia Soul near Indianapolis?

For a limited time, yes. Remaining new 2025 Souls are sold while supplies last, so it helps to check local inventory soon before they’re gone.

Is a used Kia Soul a good buy?

A used Soul can be a smart pick thanks to its low price, roomy interior, and easy city size. Check the service history and confirm the transmission shifts smoothly before you buy.

Did the Kia Soul come with all-wheel drive?

No. The Soul was front-wheel drive only across every trim. If you want all-wheel drive, the Seltos is the better choice.