Kia Soul (Discontinued) · Subcompact Crossover Face-Off
Kia Soul vs Honda HR-V
More standard power, a lower price tag — yet the Soul’s story here is discontinuation. Let’s lay out the honest picture.
Here’s the straight story: after sixteen years on sale, Kia closed out U.S. Soul production in October 2025. That means this comparison is built for shoppers cross-shopping whatever Soul inventory remains against a Honda HR-V that’s still very much in production — not a clean, ongoing year-over-year matchup. Look strictly at the figures, though, and the last Soul generation came in cheaper than the HR-V while offering more horsepower standard. Honda’s answer: a nameplate still rolling off the line, an available AWD option, and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Below is the unfiltered breakdown from Dean McCrary Kia Hattiesburg, right on US-98.
DiscontinuedOct. 2025 — final generation shown
147 hpStandard engine — more than HR-V base
$20,490Final MSRP* — ~$7,460 less than HR-V
10yr/100kKia powertrain warranty
GoodIIHS small-overlap rating
10.25″Available touchscreen (S & up)
No Spin, Just the Verdict
One Nameplate Retired, One Still Going
Kia has fully stopped building the Soul, so this isn’t your typical side-by-side. Here’s what the raw numbers show — and what that discontinuation actually means once you’re standing on the showroom floor.
Straight Talk
EndedOctober 2025
No 2026 or later Soul exists
October 2025 closed the book on sixteen years of Soul production. Everything below measures that last generation against the HR-V for shoppers eyeing remaining inventory — this nameplate isn’t returning.
Value, On Paper
~$7,460lower, final Soul MSRP
$20,490 Soul LX vs $27,950 HR-V LX
Assuming a unit’s still on the lot, the final Soul generation carried a real, meaningful price edge over the HR-V — savings that work in your favor.
Standard Power
147 hpSoul standard engine
vs 158 hp on the HR-V (edge to Honda)
Won’t sugarcoat this: on paper, Honda’s 158-hp engine edges out the Soul’s 147 hp — a modest but genuine win column for the HR-V.
HR-V’s Real Advantage
Currentproduction, ongoing support
Plus available AWD and a 2026 IIHS TSP+
The HR-V keeps getting built and refreshed by Honda, plus it offers AWD — something the Soul never had. That continued backing should carry real weight in your decision.
Last Call: The Soul Lineup
Every Trim From the Final Generation
Kia’s final Soul generation came in four trims. Check with a product specialist to see what’s actually still in stock.
Configuration & Pricing
Last-Ever MSRP & Trim Range
By the dollar, the final Soul generation beat the HR-V’s pricing by a wide stretch. Honda’s counterpunch: a model still in production, an available AWD option, and an IIHS award behind it.
Configuration
Kia SoulFinal Gen. (Discontinued)
Honda HR-V2026
Starting MSRP*
$20,490~$7,460 Lower
$27,950 (LX)
Trim Range
LX, S, GT-Line, EX (4)
LX, Sport, EX-L (3)
Standard Horsepower
147 hp
158 hpHR-V Leads
Standard Touchscreen
8″ base / 10.25″ on S & up
9″, every trim
Drivetrain
FWD only
FWD standard, AWD available (+$1,500)
Production Status
Discontinued Oct. 2025
Current productionHR-V Leads
Efficiency & Engines
A Near-Tie on Power — Honda Pulls Slightly Ahead
Each vehicle runs a naturally aspirated four-cylinder with output that lands in the same ballpark. Honda's 158 hp does edge out the Soul's 147 hp, and unlike the Soul, the HR-V can be optioned with all-wheel drive.
Kia Soul (Final Gen.)
1 Powertrain, FWD Only
- 2.0L Nu MPi — 147 hp, IVT (CVT-style)
- Up to 30-31 mpg combined
- FWD only — no AWD ever offered
- No hybrid or turbo variant in the final generation
Honda HR-V
1 Powertrain, FWD or AWD
- 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC — 158 hp / 138 lb-ft
- 28 mpg combined (2WD); 27 mpg combined (AWD)
- AWD available on every trim (+$1,500)
Powertrain Spec
Kia Soul
Honda HR-V
Horsepower
147 hp
158 hpHR-V Leads
Best EPA Combined MPG
30-31 mpgSlightly Better
28 mpg (2WD)
AWD Available
Never offered
YesHR-V Leads
Powertrain Warranty
10yr/100,000 miDouble
5yr/60,000 mi
Starting MSRP*
$20,490Lower
$27,950
The Discontinuation Question, Answered
What It Really Means to Buy a Discontinued Model
No spec sheet captures the biggest difference here: one of these two is still coming off the assembly line, and one has stopped for good.
Peace of Mind
100kmile powertrain warranty
vs HR-V’s 60k-mile powertrain
Any Soul still on the lot carries Kia’s longer factory powertrain coverage — ten years or 100,000 miles, double the Honda HR-V’s five years or 60,000.
Value, If Available
~$7,460lower, final Soul MSRP
A real number, on remaining inventory only
That price advantage holds as long as a Soul remains available — but supply is limited, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Ongoing Support, Honestly
Currentproduction, HR-V
The Soul has none, going forward
Expect Honda to keep manufacturing, updating, and supporting the HR-V well into the future. The Soul’s production has ended entirely — a real consideration for long-term ownership.
Safety & Technology
Legacy Value Meets a Current Award Winner
Tech and value are still strong points for the last Soul generation. Honda counters with an in-production model, an available AWD option, and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ badge.
Kia Soul (Final Gen.)
10.25″ touchscreen offered from the S trim upward
Standard Kia Drive Wise suite of driver-assist features
Small overlap front IIHS rating of Good (testing was limited)
$20,490 starting MSRP in its last year — thousands cheaper
Production ended in Oct. 2025 — no further updates coming
AWD was never an option
Honda HR-V
Every trim gets a 9″ touchscreen standard
Standard Honda Sensing driver-assist suite
2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner
AWD available across every trim
Still in production, with full manufacturer support
Roughly $7,460 pricier to start; powertrain warranty of 5yr/60k miles
Third-Party Recognition
A Nameplate’s Legacy Against a Fresh Award
Here’s an unfiltered look at how each model has actually been recognized.
IIHS
Good Rating, Small Overlap Front
Before the Soul was retired, IIHS ran a limited slate of tests on the final generation and awarded Good marks.
Cult Following
16 Years of Distinctive Design
The Soul built a loyal following over sixteen years on sale, driven by its boxy design and value proposition — a legacy we’re glad to acknowledge here without hype.
Kia Factory Warranty
5-Year/60,000-Mile Limited
New Souls still in stock carry Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance — solid factory peace of mind.
HR-V’s Real Edge
2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
The current HR-V claimed IIHS’s top 2026 honor, an active win the Soul’s final generation never had a shot at chasing, since it was retired before the updated 2026 test standards arrived.
Thinking About a Soul? Let’s Talk Options.
Ask a product specialist about remaining Soul inventory, or come explore the current Kia lineup with us — including the Seltos, a fitting successor carrying forward the Soul’s value and versatility.
Common Questions About Soul vs HR-V
Is the Kia Soul better than the Honda HR-V?⌄
Judged purely on price and standard horsepower, the answer is yes: the Soul’s last model year came in thousands cheaper than the HR-V ($20,490 vs $27,950) and offered more standard horsepower (147 hp vs 138 hp on the HR-V’s base engine). Here’s the catch, though — Kia discontinued the Soul after the 2025 model year, so you’re comparing remaining inventory to a model that’s still actively sold, not two ongoing nameplates. If a manufacturer that keeps building and refreshing its lineup matters to you, the HR-V, a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner, is the more durable long-term choice. But strictly on value for whatever Soul stock remains, Kia still wins the math.
Is the Kia Soul discontinued?⌄
That’s correct — Kia ended its 16-year run of U.S. Soul production in October 2025, meaning there’s no 2026 model year or beyond. What you’re reading here compares that final-generation Soul to the currently sold Honda HR-V, aimed at shoppers considering whatever Soul units remain. Reach out to a Dean McCrary product specialist for the current, real-time availability.
How much cheaper was the Soul than the HR-V?⌄
Considerably. The LX trim of the Soul’s final model year started at $20,490, roughly $7,460 below the HR-V’s $27,950 base price — a substantial gap at the entry level.
Does the Honda HR-V offer AWD?⌄
Yes — every HR-V trim can be optioned with AWD for about $1,500 extra. The Soul never had that option in the U.S. market; it ran front-wheel drive exclusively for its entire production history.
What does the Honda HR-V do better than the Kia Soul?⌄
A few concrete advantages: active manufacturer support since it’s still in production, a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, and an available all-wheel-drive option the Soul never had. If you want a nameplate that Honda will continue building and servicing long-term, the HR-V is the more reliable choice.
Where can I ask about remaining Soul inventory near Hattiesburg, MS?⌄
You’ll find Dean McCrary Kia at 7124 US Hwy 98 in Hattiesburg, positioned right at the convergence of I-59, US-49, US-98, and US-11 — convenient for shoppers from Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, Columbia, and across the Pine Belt. Reach out to a product specialist about current Soul availability, or browse our complete new Kia lineup.
Hub City · Soul vs HR-V
Looking for a Subcompact Crossover Around Hattiesburg?
Located on US-98 in Hattiesburg — where I-59, US-49, and US-11 all meet — Dean McCrary Kia serves shoppers from Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, Columbia, and the wider Pine Belt. Weighing the Soul against the Honda HR-V? Here’s how to get the full, honest picture.
- Ask about remaining Soul inventory or explore the current Kia lineup
- A fair number on your trade — value your current vehicle in minutes
- Upfront pricing and Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on any new Soul in stock
- Kia-certified service and genuine parts for existing Soul owners
Dean McCrary Kia
Address7124 US Hwy 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Sales(601) 544-4007
Sales HoursMon–Sat 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Sources & Verification
This page compares the final-generation, 2025-model-year Kia Soul — pulled from the U.S. market in October 2025 — against the currently sold 2026 Honda HR-V. Pricing and specifications were sourced from manufacturer materials, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and IIHS.org, reflecting information current as of the time this page was published. Listed MSRP figures are base prices, excluding destination charges, taxes, title, and dealer fees. Since this content addresses a discontinued vehicle for shoppers considering leftover inventory, it should not be read as a guarantee of new-model availability — please contact Dean McCrary Kia to verify what Soul stock currently exists. Figures for horsepower, torque, and EPA fuel economy estimates come from independent or manufacturer sources and may not all be achievable simultaneously or in every driving condition; real-world results will differ.
Honda Motor Co. holds the trademarks for Honda, HR-V, and Honda Sensing. Mentions of Kia and Soul appear here solely for the purpose of descriptive comparison. The viewpoints expressed on this page belong to the dealership and are provided for informational purposes only. Because pricing and offers can change, please contact Dean McCrary Kia directly for the latest pricing and availability information.
Comparing the Kia Soul and Honda HR-V — Dean McCrary Kia Hattiesburg, MS
This is an honest look at the discontinued (as of October 2025) Kia Soul next to the currently sold 2026 Honda HR-V. In its final generation, the Soul started thousands cheaper ($20,490 vs $27,950) and posted a slightly better EPA combined MPG (30-31 vs 28). Meanwhile, the HR-V holds real advantages in standard horsepower (158 hp vs 147 hp), available AWD (an option the Soul never had), current production status, and a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. This page exists for shoppers considering remaining Soul inventory specifically. Serving Petal, Oak Grove, Purvis, Columbia, and the broader Pine Belt, Dean McCrary Kia is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where I-59, US-49, US-98, and US-11 all converge.