Kia Soul Fuel Efficiency and Tank Capacity: A Comprehensive Guide

Kia Soul Fuel Efficiency and Tank Capacity: A Comprehensive Guide

The Kia Soul has been a popular compact crossover SUV since its introduction in 2008. Known for its unique boxy styling and practicality, the Soul has gone through three generations of development, with each iteration bringing improvements in performance, features, and fuel efficiency. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the fuel tank capacity, fuel economy ratings, and real-world efficiency of the Kia Soul across its various generations and trim levels.

Fuel Tank Capacity

The Kia Soul has maintained a consistent fuel tank size throughout its production run:

• First Generation (2009-2013): 12.7 gallons (48 liters)
• Second Generation (2014-2019): 14.2 gallons (54 liters)
• Third Generation (2020-present): 14.3 gallons (54 liters)

This slight increase in tank size from the first to second generation allows for a longer driving range between fill-ups, enhancing the Soul’s practicality for road trips and daily commutes alike.

Fuel Efficiency by Generation

Let’s break down the fuel economy ratings for each generation of the Kia Soul, looking at both EPA estimates and real-world efficiency reports from owners.

First Generation (2009-2013)

The first-generation Kia Soul was offered with two engine options:

• 1.6L 4-cylinder (122 hp)
• 2.0L 4-cylinder (142 hp)

EPA fuel economy ratings for the first-generation Soul:

Real-world efficiency reports from owners typically showed slightly lower numbers, with combined mpg often falling in the 24-26 range for most drivers. However, some owners reported achieving up to 30 mpg with careful driving habits.

Second Generation (2014-2019)

The second-generation Soul saw improvements in both engine technology and overall efficiency. Engine options included:

• 1.6L 4-cylinder (130 hp)
• 2.0L 4-cylinder (164 hp)
• 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder (201 hp) – introduced in 2017

EPA fuel economy ratings for the second-generation Soul:

Real-world efficiency for the second-generation Soul tended to be closer to EPA estimates, with many owners reporting combined mpg in the 26-29 range. The introduction of the turbocharged engine in 2017 provided a boost in both performance and efficiency for those seeking a more spirited driving experience.

Third Generation (2020-present)

The current generation of the Kia Soul has further refined its powertrain options, focusing on improved efficiency without sacrificing performance. Engine options include:

• 2.0L 4-cylinder (147 hp)
• 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder (201 hp)

EPA fuel economy ratings for the third-generation Soul:

Early reports from third-generation Soul owners indicate that real-world fuel economy is generally in line with EPA estimates, with many achieving combined mpg in the 28-31 range. The adoption of a CVT transmission for the base 2.0L engine has contributed to improved efficiency in city driving scenarios.

Factors Affecting Fuel Efficiency

While EPA estimates and real-world reports provide a good baseline for expected fuel economy, several factors can influence the actual efficiency of a Kia Soul:

Driving Habits

Aggressive acceleration, frequent braking, and high-speed driving can all negatively impact fuel economy. Conversely, smooth acceleration, maintaining steady speeds, and using cruise control on highways can help maximize efficiency.

Terrain and Climate

Hilly or mountainous terrain will typically result in lower fuel economy compared to flat roads. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can also affect efficiency due to increased use of climate control systems and changes in engine performance.

Vehicle Maintenance

Regular maintenance, including oil changes, air filter replacements, and proper tire inflation, can help maintain optimal fuel efficiency. Neglecting these basic maintenance tasks can lead to decreased performance and lower mpg.

Vehicle Load

Carrying heavy cargo or multiple passengers will increase the vehicle’s weight and reduce fuel efficiency. Removing unnecessary items from the vehicle and avoiding overloading can help maintain better mpg.

Kia Soul Electric: The Efficiency Champion

While this guide has focused primarily on gasoline-powered Kia Soul models, it’s worth noting the existence of the all-electric Kia Soul EV. Introduced in 2014 and continuing with the current generation, the Soul EV offers significantly higher efficiency in terms of energy consumption.

Second Generation Soul EV (2014-2019)

• Battery Capacity: 30 kWh
• EPA-rated Range: 111 miles
• MPGe Rating: 124 city / 93 highway / 108 combined

Third Generation Soul EV (2020-present)

• Battery Capacity: 64 kWh
• EPA-rated Range: 243 miles
• MPGe Rating: 127 city / 101 highway / 114 combined

The Soul EV offers impressive efficiency and zero tailpipe emissions, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious buyers or those looking to reduce their fuel costs. However, availability of the Soul EV has been limited in some markets, particularly in North America.

Tips for Maximizing Fuel Efficiency in Your Kia Soul

Regardless of which generation or variant of the Kia Soul you own, there are several steps you can take to maximize your fuel efficiency:

1. Maintain steady speeds: Use cruise control on highways and avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking in city driving.
2. Anticipate traffic: Look ahead and coast to decelerate when approaching stop lights or slowing traffic, rather than braking hard at the last moment.
3. Keep up with maintenance: Follow the recommended service schedule in your owner’s manual to keep your Soul running at peak efficiency.
4. Check tire pressure regularly: Properly inflated tires reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel economy.
5. Remove excess weight: Clear out unnecessary items from your vehicle to reduce its overall weight.
6. Use the ECO drive mode: If your Soul is equipped with selectable drive modes, using the ECO setting can help optimize efficiency in most driving situations.
7. Plan your trips: Combine errands into single trips to reduce overall mileage and avoid unnecessary cold starts.
8. Avoid excessive idling: Turn off the engine if you expect to be stationary for more than 30 seconds, except in traffic.
9. Use the right oil: Always use the manufacturer-recommended grade of motor oil to ensure optimal engine performance and efficiency.
10. Consider aerodynamics: Remove roof racks or cargo boxes when not in use to reduce air resistance at highway speeds.

Comparing Kia Soul Fuel Efficiency to Competitors

To put the Kia Soul’s fuel efficiency into perspective, let’s compare it to some of its key competitors in the compact crossover segment. We’ll use the 2023 model year for consistency:

As we can see, the Kia Soul holds its own in terms of fuel efficiency when compared to its competitors. It offers a good balance of performance and economy, with its boxy design providing excellent interior space without significantly compromising on fuel consumption.

The Future of Kia Soul Fuel Efficiency

As automotive technology continues to advance, we can expect future generations of the Kia Soul to offer even greater fuel efficiency. Some potential developments to look out for include:

• Hybrid powertrains: While Kia has focused on fully electric versions of the Soul, a hybrid variant could offer improved efficiency for those not ready to make the switch to all-electric.
• Advanced aerodynamics: Future models may incorporate more aerodynamic design elements to reduce drag and improve highway fuel economy.
• Lightweight materials: The use of high-strength steel and aluminum could help reduce the Soul’s overall weight, contributing to better efficiency.
• Improved engine technology: Continued refinement of gasoline engines, including possible adoption of mild hybrid systems, could boost efficiency without sacrificing performance.
• Expanded electric options: As battery technology improves, we may see longer-range electric Soul models with even higher MPGe ratings.

Conclusion

The Kia Soul has come a long way since its introduction in 2008, with each generation bringing improvements in fuel efficiency alongside enhancements in performance, features, and design. From the first-generation models averaging around 26-28 mpg combined to the current generation achieving 30 mpg combined, the Soul has maintained competitive fuel economy in its segment.

For those seeking maximum efficiency, the Soul EV offers an impressive alternative with its 114 MPGe rating and 243-mile range. However, even the gasoline-powered models provide a good balance of practicality, performance, and fuel economy.