When it comes to “extra-small” crossovers SUVs, Hyundai and Kia have been dominating. The South Korean automakers both serve up an excellent product at bargain prices. Both the Hyundai Kona and the Kia Soul have received heaps of praise, from critics and owners alike. We thought we’d settle the debate, once and for all.
Here’s our head-to-head comparison of the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL and the 2020 Kia Soul S. Which is a better bang for you buck?
2020 Hyundai Kona SEL |
vs |
2020 Kia Soul S |
$22,100 |
MSRP |
$20,290 |
2.0L 4-cyl |
Engine |
2.0L 4-cyl |
147 hp / 132 lb-ft |
Horsepower / Torque |
147 hp / 132 lb-ft |
6-speed auto |
Transmission |
CVT |
FWD or AWD |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
27/33/30 |
Fuel Economy |
27/33/30 |
All trims available on the 2020 Hyundai Kona offer a FWD and an AWD variant, even the base model SE trim. The 2020 Kia Soul? Only FWD vehicles. Similarly, while the 2020 Kona has refined six-speed automatic on all but the top-tier trim, the 2020 Soul has a CVT on every model but the top trim. Which transmission feels better to drive is usually personal preference, but repair costs are not. CVTs are usually replaced as a whole unit, meaning if the transmission in a 2020 Soul goes kaput outside of warranty, the owner will have a buy a completely new transmission. A regular transmission, like the six-speed automatic in a 2020 Kona, can be repaired with parts, making long-term ownership less costly.
While the Kona and Soul can mostly go toe-to-toe with each other in the technology department, the Kona stands out in a few important ways. The Kona has an available Infinity sound system that is head-and-shoulders above the subwoofer-less six-speaker system found in the Soul. The Kona also has better access to safety features, such as standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and available adaptive cruise control.
Interested in the 2020 Hyundai Kona? Come test drive one at Apple Valley Hyundai.