Subcompact Crossover Showdown · Kia Soul (Discontinued)
Kia Soul vsHonda HR-V
Thousands less, more standard power — but the Soul is discontinued. Here’s the honest picture.
Straight talk up front: Kia ended U.S. production of the Soul in October 2025 after 16 years. This comparison is for shoppers weighing remaining Soul inventory against the actively-produced Honda HR-V — not an ongoing model-to-model matchup. On paper, the Soul’s final generation started thousands lower with more standard horsepower. The HR-V answers with continued manufacturer support, available AWD, and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Here’s the honest breakdown from Dean McCrary Kia in Mobile, AL.
DiscontinuedOct. 2025 — final generation shown
147 hpStandard engine — more than HR-V base
$20,490Final MSRP* — ~$7,460 less than HR-V
10yr/100kKia powertrain warranty
GoodIIHS small-overlap rating
10.25″Available touchscreen (S & up)
The Quick Verdict — An Honest One
A Discontinued Model vs a Current One
This isn’t a typical matchup — the Soul is no longer in production. Here’s what the numbers say, and what that discontinuation actually means for a shopper.
Straight Talk
EndedOctober 2025
No 2026 or later Soul exists
Kia ended Soul production after 16 years. This page compares the final generation against the HR-V for remaining-inventory shoppers — not an ongoing nameplate.
Value, On Paper
~$7,460lower, final Soul MSRP
$20,490 Soul LX vs $27,950 HR-V LX
The Soul’s last generation priced well below the HR-V — a real number, if remaining inventory is available.
Standard Power
147 hpSoul standard engine
vs 158 hp on the HR-V (edge to Honda)
Honestly, the HR-V’s 158-hp engine edges the Soul’s 147 hp — a modest, genuine HR-V advantage on paper.
HR-V’s Real Advantage
Currentproduction, ongoing support
Plus available AWD and a 2026 IIHS TSP+
The HR-V is an actively-built, actively-updated model with available AWD the Soul never offered. That continuity is worth real weight in this decision.
The Final Soul Lineup
Every Soul Trim — Last Generation
Kia’s final Soul generation ran four trims. Ask a product specialist about current availability of any remaining inventory.
Pricing & Configuration
Final Trim Range & Last MSRP
The Soul's last generation priced well under the HR-V. The HR-V answers with ongoing production, available AWD, and an IIHS award.
Configuration
Kia SoulFinal Gen. (Discontinued)
Honda HR-V2026
Starting MSRP*
$20,490~$7,460 Lower
$27,950 (LX)
Trim Range
LX, S, GT-Line, EX (4)
LX, Sport, EX-L (3)
Standard Horsepower
147 hp
158 hpHR-V Leads
Standard Touchscreen
8″ base / 10.25″ on S & up
9″, every trim
Drivetrain
FWD only
FWD standard, AWD available (+$1,500)
Production Status
Discontinued Oct. 2025
Current productionHR-V Leads
Engines & Efficiency
Close on Power. The HR-V Edges Ahead.
Both use a naturally aspirated four-cylinder with similar output. Honestly, the HR-V's 158 hp is a bit stronger than the Soul's 147 hp, and it offers AWD the Soul never had.
Kia Soul (Final Gen.)
1 Powertrain, FWD Only
- 2.0L Nu MPi — 147 hp, IVT (CVT-style)
- Up to 30-31 mpg combined
- FWD only — no AWD ever offered
- No hybrid or turbo variant in the final generation
Honda HR-V
1 Powertrain, FWD or AWD
- 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC — 158 hp / 138 lb-ft
- 28 mpg combined (2WD); 27 mpg combined (AWD)
- AWD available on every trim (+$1,500)
Powertrain Spec
Kia Soul
Honda HR-V
Horsepower
147 hp
158 hpHR-V Leads
Best EPA Combined MPG
30-31 mpgSlightly Better
28 mpg (2WD)
AWD Available
Never offered
YesHR-V Leads
Powertrain Warranty
10yr/100,000 miDouble
5yr/60,000 mi
Starting MSRP*
$20,490Lower
$27,950
Ownership & The Discontinuation Question
What Discontinuation Actually Means
The most important factor here isn’t a spec sheet line — it’s that one of these is still being built and the other isn’t.
Peace of Mind
100kmile powertrain warranty
vs HR-V’s 60k-mile powertrain
Kia’s factory powertrain term still runs longer on remaining Soul inventory, plus Warranty Forever where applicable at Dean McCrary.
Value, If Available
~$7,460lower, final Soul MSRP
A real number, on remaining inventory only
The savings are real if a Soul is still in stock — but availability is limited and not guaranteed nationwide.
Ongoing Support, Honestly
Currentproduction, HR-V
The Soul has none, going forward
Honda will keep building, updating, and supporting the HR-V for years. The Soul’s production run has ended — a real consideration for long-term ownership.
Technology & Safety
A Value Legacy vs a Current, Awarded Model
The Soul's final generation still holds up on tech and value. The HR-V answers with ongoing production, available AWD, and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
Kia Soul (Final Gen.)
Available 10.25″ touchscreen (S & up)
Kia Drive Wise driver-assist suite standard
IIHS Good rating, small overlap front (limited testing)
$20,490 final starting MSRP — thousands less
Discontinued Oct. 2025 — no ongoing production or updates
Never offered with AWD
Honda HR-V
9″ touchscreen standard, every trim
Honda Sensing driver-assist suite standard
2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
Available AWD, every trim
Current production — ongoing manufacturer support
Starts ~$7,460 higher; 5yr/60k powertrain warranty
Independent Recognition
A Legacy Nameplate vs a Current Award Winner
Here’s the honest picture on recognition for both.
IIHS
Good Rating, Small Overlap Front
The final-generation Soul earned Good marks in the limited set of tests IIHS conducted on it before the model’s discontinuation.
Cult Following
16 Years of Distinctive Design
The Soul built a loyal following over 16 years of production for its boxy styling and value — a legacy this comparison honors, not oversells.
Dean McCrary Exclusive
Warranty Forever, Where Applicable
Unlimited-time, unlimited-mile powertrain coverage on qualifying new Souls in remaining inventory — ask a specialist for current details.
HR-V’s Real Edge
2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
The current HR-V earned IIHS’s highest honor for 2026 — a real, ongoing achievement the discontinued Soul’s final generation didn’t have the chance to compete for under updated 2026 test criteria.
Considering a Soul? Let’s Talk Options.
Ask a product specialist about remaining Soul inventory, or explore the current Kia lineup — including the Seltos and Soul’s spiritual successors in value and versatility.
Soul vs HR-V — Common Questions
Is the Kia Soul better than the Honda HR-V?⌄
On price and standard power, yes — the Soul’s last model year started thousands lower than the HR-V ($20,490 vs $27,950) with more standard horsepower (147 hp vs 138 hp on the HR-V’s base engine). But there’s something important to know upfront: Kia discontinued the Soul after the 2025 model year, so this comparison is for remaining inventory only, not an ongoing model. If you want a nameplate Honda will keep building and updating, the HR-V — which earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ — is the safer long-term bet. For value on remaining Soul inventory, the numbers still favor the Soul.
Is the Kia Soul discontinued?⌄
Yes. Kia ended U.S. production of the Soul in October 2025 after 16 years, and there is no 2026 or later Soul model. This comparison covers the final-generation Soul against the current Honda HR-V for shoppers considering remaining Soul inventory — ask your Dean McCrary product specialist about current availability.
How much cheaper was the Soul than the HR-V?⌄
Significantly. The Soul’s final model year started at $20,490 for the LX, thousands less than the HR-V’s $27,950 starting price — a gap of roughly $7,460 at the entry trim.
Does the Honda HR-V offer AWD?⌄
Yes — AWD is available on every HR-V trim for about $1,500. The Kia Soul was never offered with all-wheel drive in the U.S. market; it was front-wheel drive only across its entire production run.
What does the Honda HR-V do better than the Kia Soul?⌄
Several real things: it’s a current, actively-produced model with ongoing manufacturer support, it earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and it offers available all-wheel drive the Soul never had. If you want a model Honda will keep building and servicing for years, the HR-V is the stronger long-term choice.
Where can I ask about remaining Soul inventory near Mobile, AL?⌄
Dean McCrary Kia at 1733 E I-65 Service Rd S in Mobile serves Daphne, Spanish Fort, Saraland, Fairhope, and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Contact a product specialist to ask about current Soul availability, or see our full new Kia lineup.
Soul vs HR-V · Gulf Coast
Shopping a Subcompact Crossover Near Mobile?
Dean McCrary Kia serves Gulf Coast families from Mobile to the Eastern Shore. If you’re considering a Soul against the Honda HR-V, here’s how to get the real picture.
- Ask about remaining Soul inventory or explore the current Kia lineup
- A fair number on your trade — value your current vehicle in minutes
- Upfront pricing and Warranty Forever where applicable
- Kia-certified service and genuine parts for existing Soul owners
Dean McCrary Kia
Address1733 E I-65 Service Rd S, Mobile, AL 36606
Sales(251) 471-3326
Sales HoursMon–Sat 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Sources & Verification
Comparison reflects the final-generation (2025 model year) Kia Soul, discontinued in the U.S. market as of October 2025, against the current 2026 Honda HR-V. Specifications and pricing compiled from manufacturer materials, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and IIHS.org, and are current as of publication. MSRP shown is base, excluding destination, taxes, title, and dealer fees. This page describes a discontinued vehicle for shoppers evaluating remaining inventory only — it is not an offer of new-model availability. Contact Dean McCrary Kia to confirm current Soul inventory status. Horsepower, torque, and EPA-estimated fuel economy are independent or manufacturer-published attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously or under all conditions; your results will vary.
Honda, HR-V, and Honda Sensing are trademarks of Honda Motor Co. Kia, Soul, and Warranty Forever references are used for descriptive comparison. This comparison reflects the dealer’s perspective and is intended for informational purposes only. Pricing and offers subject to change — contact Dean McCrary Kia for current pricing and availability.
Kia Soul vs Honda HR-V Comparison — Dean McCrary Kia, Mobile AL
The Kia Soul, discontinued in the U.S. as of October 2025, compares honestly to the current 2026 Honda HR-V. The Soul's final generation started thousands lower ($20,490 vs $27,950) with a slightly higher EPA combined MPG (30-31 vs 28). The HR-V genuinely leads on standard horsepower (158 hp vs 147 hp), available AWD (never offered on the Soul), current production status, and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. This page is for shoppers evaluating remaining Soul inventory only. Dean McCrary Kia in Mobile, Alabama serves Daphne, Spanish Fort, Saraland, and Fairhope.