Subcompact SUVs like the 2025 Kia Soul and 2025 Chevrolet Trax are designed to be personable, versatile, fuel-efficient, and affordable. In these regards, the Kia and Chevy meet and often exceed expectations.
The Soul stands out in a crowded segment thanks to its quirky exterior that blends mini-SUV and high-riding hatchback. Power comes from a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Performance is acceptable for day-to-day errands.
Having undergone a total 2024 redesign that saw it skip an entire model year, the 2025 Trax looks like a scaled-down version of Chevy’s midsize Blazer SUV. While it looks racy, the Trax has a modest turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine that sends 132 hp to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic. Like the Soul, it’s great on gas.
Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of the Kia Soul and Chevrolet Trax.
2025 Kia Soul
Kia offers the Soul in four trims: LX, S, GT-Line, and EX. Its upright shape creates lots of headroom in the first and second rows. Rear legroom is adult-friendly at 38.8 inches — the Trax is one of the few subcompact SUVs with the same degree of legroom. The Soul LX has a starting price of $21,665, including factory-to-dealer destination fees.
Kia Soul Highlights
Excellent warranty: The Soul has outstanding coverage that consists of a 5-year/60,000 basic warranty complemented by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you’re looking for a long-term relationship with your next small SUV, this assurance is great to have. By the way, this is the best warranty in the segment.
Optional touchscreen, upgraded audio: A handsome and easy-to-use 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard on the Soul’s upper three trims. It adds a wireless charging pad, navigation, satellite radio, and two additional USB ports (for three in total). There is also an available Harman Kardon audio system with interior LED lighting synched to the music, pulsing to the beat.
Fun-loving GT-Line model: The GT-Line is the one to pick if you want more flair with your Soul, so to speak. While it has no extra horsepower, it comes with a center-exit exhaust, 18-inch alloys, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and trim-specific front and rear bumpers.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Soul models for sale near you.
2025 Chevrolet Trax
The 2025 Trax arrives with five trims: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ. No, that’s not a typo; Chevy deemed the “e” in Active to be one letter too many, apparently. Although the turbocharged 3-cylinder makes for slower 0-60 mph times, it’s combined mileage of 30 mpg city/highway is on par with the fuel-sipping Soul. However, this turbo engine is mated to a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission, which makes the most of the turbo’s output. Pricing begins at $21,495, including the delivery charge.
Chevrolet Trax Highlights
Fuel economy: To be fair, fuel economy is something both the Trax and Soul do very well. A 30 mpg combined average is relatively frugal among subcompact SUVs. And despite having a turbocharger attached to it, the Trax powertrain is happy to run on regular unleaded gasoline.
Chevy Safety Assist: This bundle of advanced driver aids comes with every Trax. It consists of forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder.
Wireless smartphone connectivity: Leave the cords at home because the Trax comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This holds true with the standard 8-inch screen or the 11-inch screen fitted to the LT, 2RS, and Activ trim.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kicks models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Soul and Trax have low prices, frugal engines, and come solely with front-wheel drive (FWD). They also boast some of the best rear legroom and cargo capacity you’ll find in a subcompact SUV. We even think their exterior designs also give them an advantage over more conservative competition.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Kia Soul and Chevrolet Trax could come down to personal design choices and the importance of long-term warranty coverage. In terms of specs, these two small SUVs are very similar — for better and for worse. Fuel mileage is a strong suit, but acceleration is similarly underwhelming.
Each has more rear legroom, headroom, and cargo space than you expect in vehicles with such petite proportions. Yet all-wheel drive (AWD) isn’t an option in either, and this alone could lead many SUV shoppers to look elsewhere.
We suggest taking them for a spin and seeing which trim suits your driving needs and budget.
| 2025 Kia Soul | 2025 Chevrolet Trax | |
| Starting Price | $21,665 | $21,495 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 137 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 162 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 27 city/33 highway/30 combined | 28 city/32 highway/30 combined |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4-Star | 4-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 inches | 106.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 165.2 inches | 178.6 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 71.8 inches |
| Height | 63.0 inches | 61.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | TBD |
| Headroom, Front | 39.9 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.5 inches | 38.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 41.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.8 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.5 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 54.7 inches | 54.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 24.2 cubic feet | 25.6 cubic feet |
