The 2024 Kia Soul and Subaru Crosstrek aren’t your typical small SUVs. Their unique designs and quirky proportions could easily have them qualify as high-riding hatchbacks or practical pint-size wagons thanks to their generous amount of passenger space and cargo volume.
Technically they both compete in the subcompact SUV segment against rivals like the Nissan Kicks, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos, and Honda HR-V, to name just a few.
This generation of the Kia Soul dates back to the 2020 model year. After a mid-cycle update last year, changes are minimal for the 2024 Soul. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard – there is no option to add all-wheel drive (AWD) – and under the hood is an efficient 147-horsepower 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Switching to the Subaru Crosstrek, it’s fresh off a complete redesign. It has an updated exterior and interior, a stiffer chassis, a larger infotainment screen, and a new Wilderness trim level. Unlike the FWD-only Soul, the Crosstrek has AWD fitted as standard.
Let’s take a closer look at the 2024 Kia Soul and the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek.
2024 Kia Soul
The 2024 Soul can be had in four trims: LX, S, GT-Line, and EX. It starts at $21,565, including the destination charge. As we’ve pointed out, every version comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that sends 147 hp to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Thanks to its square-shaped design, headroom and legroom is abundant wherever you’re seated. This amount of room, combined with the vehicle’s low price, makes the Soul an enticing pick among small SUVs.
Kia Soul Highlights
Racy GT-Line: The GT-Line features 18-inch alloy wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel, slick center-exit exhaust, and unique front and rear bumper designs. Okay, none of this makes it any quicker, but it adds a fun and sporty demeanor to the Soul.
Sleek infotainment system: Barring the standard LX trim, all Soul models now come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and tech touches like a wireless charging pad, satellite radio, navigation, satellite radio, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and three USB ports.
Excellent warranty: A major plus point for the Soul is its 5-year/60,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty and powertrain coverage that lasts for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Passenger space, cargo volume: The Crosstrek is more than accommodating, but the Soul has about 2 inches more rear legroom and 4 extra cubic feet of cargo volume.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Soul models for sale near you.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2024 Crosstrek starts at $26,540, including the destination charge, and comes in five trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness. Lower trims get down the road courtesy of a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with a CVT. All-wheel drive is standard on every Crosstrek.
The Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims have a punchier 182-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Fuel economy is nearly identical between the two, so it could be worth the upgrade to get the larger engine’s better acceleration and passing power. While the Crosstrek is revamped for the 2024 model year, Subaru wisely kept the same basic blueprint intact for this hot-selling model.
Subaru Crosstrek Highlights
Wilderness trim: Newly added for the 2024 model year, the Crosstrek Wilderness has more driver-selectable drive modes, a front underbody skid plate to protect the engine, beefier suspension, all-terrain tires, and plenty of black plastic exterior trim that enhances the outdoorsy look. It also has added ground clearance — 9.3 inches compared to the already-impressive 8.7 inches of other models.
Standard AWD: The fact that the Crosstrek comes standard with AWD pushes it to the top of its class for many SUV shoppers living in snowy climates. On the Kia Soul, AWD isn’t even an option.
Larger touchscreen: Similar to the Soul, every Crosstrek except the base variant features a larger infotainment touchscreen that’s both attractive and easy to use. In this case, the Crosstrek’s screen measures 11.6 inches and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with front and rear USB ports.
Handy headlights: The Crosstrek’s LED headlights better illuminate the road ahead by turning in conjunction with the steering. It’s a big help to be able to see through corners on twisty roads at night.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Crosstrek models for sale near you.
Similarities
The 2024 Kia Soul and 2024 Subaru Crosstrek are definitely not your typical subcompact SUVs. They have more esoteric designs, but each is just as practical as their more conventional rivals.
Conclusion
The Soul and Crosstrek are value-packed SUVs that are perfectly sized for urban traffic. The AWD Crosstrek also shines while navigating narrow off-road trails.
Bargain hunters will definitely appreciate the lower base price of the Soul, plus its advantages in passenger space and trunk volume. What’s more, its EPA fuel economy is solid, and its outstanding warranty coverage adds lots of peace of mind.
While the Crosstrek costs more, it comes with AWD and a number of other standard comfort and safety features. With this redesign, the Crosstrek also benefits from a much smoother and more composed ride than the outgoing model. Having an optional 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with extra grunt is another plus for the Subaru.
Despite their similarities, it’s the differences between the Soul and Crosstrek that will appeal to different buyers — and the traits that most appeal to you will help determine which belongs in your driveway.
| 2024 Kia Soul | 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | |
| Starting Price | $21,565 | $26,540 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel economy | 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway/30 mpg combined | 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined |
| Also Available | ||
| 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 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 165.2 inches | 176.4 inches |
| Width | 70.9 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 60.3 inches | 62.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.9 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.5 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.8 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.5 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 54.7 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume seats up/down | 24.2/62.1 cubic feet | 19.9/54.7 cubic feet |
