The Kia Soul does 28.8 mpg combined (26.8 city, 32.4 highway), which works out to about $1,333 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 30.4 mpg while 1.6L 4-cyl does 27.6 — a difference of $128 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Kia Soul engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Kia Soul ranges from 30.4 down to 27.6 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $128 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 28.3 / 34.4 | 2016–2025 | $1,263 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 25.6 / 30.8 | 2010–2019 | $1,391 |
What that actually costs
The Kia Soul burns a gallon every 28.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 417 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.111 |
| Fuel per year | $1,333 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,665 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$161 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,156 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Kia Soul gives up 5.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 32.4 out there against 26.8 in town, a 21% drop worth $248 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 26.8 mpg | $1,433 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.4 mpg | $1,185 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.6 mpg (21%) | Typical for its type |
How the Soul changed over the years
The Soul peaked in 2025 at 31 mpg (29 city, 35 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 26 — 5 mpg apart, or $238 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2025 car does 31. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2024 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2023 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2022 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2021 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2020 | 29 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2019 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2018 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2017 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2016 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2015 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2014 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2013 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2012 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2011 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2010 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 16 EPA ratings of the Kia Soul — 2 engines across 2010–2025. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,156. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia Soul get?
28.8 mpg combined on average — 26.8 in the city and 32.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2010–2025.
How much does a Kia Soul cost in fuel per year?
About $1,333 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,665 over five years, or 0.111 dollars a mile.
Which Soul engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 30.4 mpg, against 27.6 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $128 a year.
Is the Soul good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Soul figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Kia Soul is $2,156 against the $1,333 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 31 and 26 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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