Hyundai Kona vs Kia Soul: reliability compared
From 2018 to 2025, owners filed an average of 101 complaints per model year about the Hyundai Kona and 149 about the Kia Soul.
Side by side
| Hyundai Kona | Kia Soul | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2018-2025 | 2018-2025 |
| Owner complaints | 805 | 1,194 |
| Complaints per model year | 101 | 149 |
| Recalls | 7 | 6 |
| Years to avoid | None stand out | None stand out |
| Best years | 201820212022 | 20192022 |
| Most common problem | Engine | Engine |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 26-31 mpg combined (2025) | 30-31 mpg combined (2025) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Kona | Soul | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 434 | 787 |
| Electrical | 136 | 112 |
| Transmission | 100 | 175 |
| Driver assistance | 75 | 41 |
| Acceleration | 44 | 34 |
| Brakes | 33 | 51 |
| Fuel system | 30 | 64 |
| Steering | 20 | 47 |
Questions about the Hyundai Kona vs Kia Soul
Which is more reliable, the Hyundai Kona or the Kia Soul?
Between 2018 and 2025, the Hyundai Kona has 0 years to avoid and the Kia Soul 0. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Hyundai Kona drew fewer complaints per model year (101 vs 149), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Kona or the Kia Soul?
From 2018 to 2025, the Hyundai Kona was covered by 7 recalls and the Kia Soul by 6.
What years of the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul should you avoid?
Hyundai Kona: no year stands out. Kia Soul: no year stands out.
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