Compare the Kia Soul to the Hyundai Kona

See how the 2019 Kia Soul beats the 2019 Hyundai Kona

The Kia Soul has long been a cult classic, and today we at Matthews Kia of Cartersville are going to pit the 2019 Kia Soul against the 2019 Kia Kona, which is a relatively new model to market.



The Kia Soul has three trims and each one has a different engine.Soul (base): 1.6L GDI with 130 horsepower+ (Plus): 2.0L GDI with 161 horsepower! (Exclaim): 1.6L Turbo GDI with 201 horsepower

The Kona has four trims and two engines. The SE and SEL have a 2.0L with 147 horsepower and the Limited and Ultimate have a 1.6L Turbo GDI with 175 horsepower. Both models also have an electric version in case you want to use alternative power to get between Marietta and Kennesaw. The two models jockey for the #1 horsepower spot, but in the end the top Soul trim easily bests the Kona's engine.


Price changes a lot depending on incentives, your personal credit rating, and dealership stock. That said, the Soul starts about $2K under the Kona, and the highest trim for the Soul is nearly $4K less than the Kona. If you're on a budget or simply want to save on a car payment, you'll have a better chance with the 2019 Soul. Another thing to consider with price is reliability. While Hyundai does have a pretty notable warranty program, the Soul has been on the road for much longer and has proven its long-term reliability.



The Kona comes standard with certain safety features: forward collision avoidance, lane keeping, and a driver attention warning. Once you get to the Kia Soul + you can get a package that adds on more safety technologies, though the top Kia Soul! cuts back on most advanced technologies. For people who really want a lot of these features as they drive around Acworth and beyond, the Kona might have stronger appeal. But if you're a person who would prefer to not have these, the optional nature that the Soul employs might be better. It's also worth noting that advanced safety technologies do have their associated costs, and making them optional continues to keep the Soul's cost down.

Cargo Space

  • Kia Soul Cargo Space (seats up/seats down): 18.8 cubic feet & 49.5 cubic feet
  • Hyundai Kona Cargo Space (seats up/seats down): 19.2 cubic feet & 45.8 cubic feet
  • With all seats up, the Kona has a bit more cargo space, but we don't think you'll really notice the difference unless you have a lot of gear you like to drive around. The Soul has significantly more backrow space, so say you're in a band and have a weekly gig, or you want to help your friend move from an apartment in Rome GA to a new place in Woodstock GA, you'll have more room for boxes.


    Technologies & Amenities

    Climate Controlled Seats: both models offer heated seats for those cooler days, but let's be honest - most of the time it's hot in Georgia! You'll appreciate the available ventilated seats on the Soul, and you won't find them on the Kona.

    Sunroof: the Kona has an available sunroof. The Soul does one better by giving drivers the option of a larger panoramic sunroof.

    Power Seats: the Kia Soul has power-seating that can be adjusted up to 10-ways. The Hyundai Kona tops out at 8-ways.

    Touchscreens + Infotainment: both vehicles have touchscreens that are either 7- or 8-inches, and there's access to Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™.

    The two models really jockey for top position, and some have features the other one doesn't. On paper, the Kona does have a few more amenities, but sometimes those really fancy gadgets become obsolete or you realize you don't use them much after the initial excitement wears off.

    The Hyundai Kona is a formidable competitor for the Kia Soul, but the Soul's lower price tag, more diverse engine lineup, and ample maximum cargo space specs really help it stand out as the top choice. Plus, its unique look just cannot be beat. Come into our dealership this week to test drive one!