2020 Kia Soul Vs. 2019 Ford EcoSport

The subcompact crossover segment is a relatively new one but it’s quickly risen to become one of the most popular vehicle sets on the market. Blending the practicality of an SUV with the parkability of a small car, it’s really no wonder the segment has become one of the top sellers on the market. Pioneering this segment, the Kia Soul has risen from quirky outlier in the Kia lineup to a vehicle that is emblematic of the Korean manufacturer’s way of doing things just a little bit differently.

Receiving its first substantial platform update in nearly 6 years, the 2020 Kia Soul brings a brand-new style to the fun sports box wagon. With the 2020 Kia Soul, you have more trim levels to choose from than ever before, including the overland-inspired X-Line and track-ready GT-Line with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and over 200 horsepower. Today, we’re pitting the 2020 Kia Soul against Ford’s weird little subcompact crossover, the 2019 Ford EcoSport. Let’s see how they do:

2020 Kia Soul	Vs.	2019 Ford EcoSport
2.0-liter 4-cylinder (147 horsepower)	Base engine (horsepower)	1.0-liter 3-cylinder (123 horsepower)
30 combined MPG (EPA estimated CVT)	Base fuel economy	28 combined MPG (EPA estimated)
7-inch full-color touchscreen	Standard infotainment screen	4.2-inch LCD screen
Standard	Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	Available
41.1 inches/38.8 inches	Legroom (front/rear)	42.9 inches/36.7 inches
62+ cubic feet	Cargo space	50 cubic feet
10 years/100,000 miles	Engine/powertrain warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
Top Safety Pick +	IIHS safety designation	Not recommended by IIHS
$17,490 (Manual)	MSRP starts at	$19,995

Kia Soul - Still Royalty Among Admirers in the Subcompact Crossover Space

This is one of those comparisons that leaves us wondering why anybody would choose the Ford EcoSport over the 2020 Kia Soul. The only significant metric in which the EcoSport comes out ahead of the 2020 Kia Soul is front-row legroom. For everything else, you’re looking at a huge gap in favor of the 2020 Kia Soul.

The 2020 Kia Soul offers more base horsepower and yet, with its IVT, it still manages to outdo the lawnmower engine that’s found in the 2019 Ford EcoSport.

Inside, the game is luxury for the 2020 Kia Soul compared with the Spartan Ford EcoSport that gives you a screen that’s likely smaller than the one on your phone. It also lacks Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration out of the box – a standard feature on the 2020 Kia Soul.

As far as capability goes, the 2020 Kia Soul offers more cargo volume and a significantly longer engine/powertrain warranty. Also, rear seat passengers will no doubt appreciate the extra 2+ inches of legroom.

Finally, being a Kia product, you can expect to get all this capability, technology and style for less and with Kia’s industry-best 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Don’t wait up! The 2020 Kia Soul is a hot vehicle. At Friendly Kia, you’ll find the biggest inventory in Tampa Bay of 2020 Kia Soul models. Contact us today to schedule a test drive.