Let’s be honest, trying to find a car that stands out from the crowd but is also practical and affordable can feel like a bit of a lost cause. You often end up with something that’s either sensible but dull, or stylish but completely impractical. But then you spot a used Kia Soul, and you realise that some cars just play by their own rules. This funky little crossover wraps up a whole lot of personality into a package that’s surprisingly easy to live with.
Maybe it’s the quirky, boxy shape that first makes you smile, or perhaps it’s the promise of a spacious, well-equipped cabin that makes perfect sense for your daily life. Whatever it is that pulls you in, choosing a second-hand Kia Soul means you’re getting a car with genuine character, without the new-car price tag. It’s a way of joining a community of drivers who appreciate that being different is a very good thing.
The really smart part about shopping for a used Soul is that you’re getting a car that’s famously reliable and cheap to run, while letting someone else handle the biggest chunk of depreciation. This makes a genuinely unique and capable car much more affordable. Whether you need a comfortable and distinctive car for the daily commute or a practical partner for weekend adventures, the Kia Soul is ready to surprise you.
Why Buy a Used Kia Soul?
The Kia Soul is a masterclass in individuality. When you’re browsing listings for used models, you’re looking at cars that deliver an unbeatable combination of head-turning style, clever practicality, and incredible value for money—a trick that leaves many more conventional rivals looking a bit grey.
So many small family cars play it safe and end up looking identical, but the Soul has never been afraid to be different. Its upright, confident stance isn’t just for show; it creates a surprisingly spacious and airy cabin that feels much bigger than the car’s compact footprint would suggest. It’s a doddle to drive and park in the city, but it’s just as happy on a long motorway journey, making it a brilliant all-rounder.
From a financial perspective, a used Soul is one of the wisest choices you can make. You’re getting a car from a brand that’s famous for its reliability, often with the balance of Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty still intact. Its efficient petrol, diesel, and even all-electric powertrains mean that running costs are impressively low, so it’s kind to your wallet long after you’ve bought it.
For individuals or small families who want a car that reflects their personality but still needs to handle the realities of everyday life, the Soul is the perfect answer. It offers the space of a small SUV with the running costs of a supermini, all wrapped up in a design that will never fail to make you smile.
Kia Soul Overview
The Kia Soul has been a refreshing and unique presence in the car market since it first arrived. It successfully blends the chunky looks of an SUV with the compact dimensions of a family hatchback, creating a car that defies easy categorisation. But at its heart, it’s a practical, reliable, and characterful car for people who don’t want to follow the herd.
The design is what sets it apart. The tall, boxy shape, high-mounted tail lights, and confident front end are unmistakable. It’s a design that prioritises interior space and visibility, and as a result, the cabin is incredibly easy to get in and out of, with a commanding view of the road for the driver. Over the years, the styling has been sharpened and modernised, but it has always retained that unique Soul DNA.
Step inside, and you’ll find a cabin that’s just as quirky and thoughtfully designed as the exterior. The upright dashboard is easy to use, and Kia is known for packing its cars with generous levels of equipment. Higher-spec models feature cool touches like speaker lights that pulse in time with your music, large touchscreen infotainment systems, and high-quality materials. But even on entry-level models, the build quality is solid and everything feels built to last.
The Soul has been offered with a range of sensible and efficient petrol and diesel engines. However, it’s the all-electric Soul EV that has become a real star in the lineup. Offering silent, zero-emission driving with a genuinely useful real-world range, a used Soul EV is one of the most accessible and practical ways to get into a modern electric car.
Generations and Trim Breakdown
The Kia Soul has evolved over three distinct generations, with each one refining the formula and adding more technology and style.
First Generation (2008-2014)
This is the car that started it all. The original Soul was a breath of fresh air with its funky design and practical cabin. It was offered with simple 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines and a straightforward trim structure. The top-spec ‘Shaker’ and ‘Burner’ models, with their wild graphics and premium sound systems, really captured the car’s fun-loving spirit. These early cars are now incredibly affordable and still look cool today.
Second Generation (2014-2019)
The second-generation Soul was a huge leap forward in terms of quality and refinement. The styling was evolved to be more mature and muscular, and the interior received a major upgrade with better materials and more technology. This generation also saw the introduction of the brilliant, all-electric Soul EV, which quickly became a class-leader. Trim levels like ‘Connect Plus’ and ‘Maxx’ offered huge amounts of kit for the money, including satellite navigation and reversing cameras.
Third Generation (2019-Present)
The latest Soul is the most sophisticated and stylish yet. In the UK and Europe, Kia made the bold decision to offer this generation exclusively as an all-electric model, now named the e-Soul. It features a much larger battery, giving it a hugely impressive official range of up to 280 miles, making it a genuinely viable family car for all journeys. It’s packed with the very latest technology, including advanced driver assistance systems and a stunning digital cockpit.
Body Style and Trim Comparison
The Kia Soul is only available as a five-door crossover hatchback, but its different powertrains and trim levels give it a wide range of appeal.
Petrol/Diesel: Available on the first and second-generation models, these versions offer conventional, low-cost motoring. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is particularly good for high-mileage drivers, offering excellent fuel economy. They are the most affordable way into Soul ownership and are backed by Kia’s reputation for reliability.
Soul EV (Second Gen): This was Kia’s first proper foray into electric cars, and they knocked it out of the park. With a real-world range of around 100-120 miles, it’s a perfect car for commuting, school runs, and city driving. As a used buy, it’s one of the best-value and most reliable entry-level EVs you can find.
e-Soul (Third Gen): The latest all-electric model is a true game-changer. Its long range removes any anxiety about distance, while its punchy performance makes it genuinely fun to drive. It’s a cutting-edge EV wrapped in the Soul’s unique and lovable design.
What to Look for When Buying
Full Service History: This is vital, especially to maintain the balance of that long seven-year warranty. A complete main dealer or specialist service history shows the car has been properly cared for. For EV models, this should include regular battery health checks.
EV Battery Health: If you’re looking at a Soul EV or e-Soul, the battery is the most important component. Most cars will come with a battery health report from their last service. Check the predicted range on the dashboard display (after a full charge, if possible) and compare it to what the car should have new. A small amount of degradation is normal over time.
Charging Equipment (EV): Make sure the car comes with all its charging cables, including the standard three-pin home charger and the Type 2 cable for public charge points. These can be expensive to replace.
Infotainment and Electrics: Kia packs its cars with tech, so spend time making sure it all works. Test the touchscreen, connect your phone via Bluetooth, check the reversing camera, and on top-spec models, make sure the funky speaker lights are doing their thing.
Interior and Exterior Condition: The Soul’s unique styling includes some large plastic trim panels. Check these for scuffs and scratches. Inside, look for any signs of heavy family use, like stains on the seats or damage to the boot plastics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price of a used Kia Soul?
Used Kia Soul prices offer fantastic value. You can find a first-generation model for as little as £4,000. A good second-generation petrol or diesel will be between £8,000 and £14,000. A second-gen Soul EV typically costs £12,000-£17,000, while the latest long-range e-Soul starts from around £22,000.
Where can I find a used Kia Soul for sale near me?
Cazoo offers a great selection of high-quality used Kia Soul models, including the popular EV. Our online platform makes it easy to browse cars from across the UK, check their warranty status and history, and have your chosen vehicle delivered right to your door.
What should I check when buying a second-hand Kia Soul?
The two most important things are a complete service history to validate the warranty and, for EV models, the health of the battery. Beyond that, give all the interior electronics a thorough test and check for typical family wear and tear.
Is the Kia Soul a reliable car?
Absolutely. Kia consistently ranks as one of the most reliable car brands in the world. The Soul, with its proven mechanicals and robust build quality, is a very dependable car. The Soul EV, with fewer moving parts, has an even stronger reputation for trouble-free motoring.
How can I finance a used Kia Soul?
Cazoo offers a range of flexible finance options to help make buying your Kia Soul simple and affordable. We offer both Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), with clear, transparent terms to help you budget.
Is the Kia Soul cheap to run?
Yes, it’s very affordable. The petrol and diesel models are efficient and cheap to insure. The Soul EV and e-Soul are even cheaper, with the cost of charging at home being a fraction of the price of petrol or diesel, plus there’s no road tax to pay.
Is the Soul a practical family car?
Surprisingly so. Its boxy shape means there is loads of headroom in the front and back, and access is very easy. While the boot isn’t the biggest in its class, it’s a good, usable shape, and the rear seats fold down easily to create a large load space. For a small family, it’s more than practical enough.
Is the Soul EV’s range enough for daily use?
For the vast majority of UK drivers, yes. The second-gen Soul EV’s 100-mile range is more than enough for the average daily commute, school runs, and local trips. The latest e-Soul’s 280-mile range is enough for almost any journey, making it a brilliant and versatile electric car.
