The Kia Soul does 50.3 mpg combined (52.9 city, 49.1 highway), which works out to about $763 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 107.5 mpg while 1.6L 4-cyl does 27.6 — a difference of $1,034 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Kia Soul engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 122.5 / 93.8 | 2015–2020 | $357 | |
| 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
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.064 |
| Fuel per year | $763 |
| Fuel over five years | $3,815 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$749 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,757 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 52.9 mpg | $726 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 49.1 mpg | $782 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-3.8 mpg (-7%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Soul changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 | 78 / 68 | 2 | $530 | |
| 2019 | 75 / 62 | 2 | $565 | |
| 2018 | 75 / 62 | 2 | $565 | |
| 2017 | 73 / 61.5 | 2 | $577 | |
| 2016 | 72 / 61.5 | 2 | $582 | |
| 2015 | 72 / 61 | 2 | $586 | |
| 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
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia Soul get?
50.3 mpg combined on average — 52.9 in the city and 49.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2010–2025.
How much does a Kia Soul cost in fuel per year?
About $763 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $3,815 over five years, or 0.064 dollars a mile.
Which Soul engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 107.5 mpg, against 27.6 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $1,034 a year.
Is the Soul good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.