2011 Kia Soul — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2011 Kia Soul is an estate/wagon offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 34 mpg (UK) / 28 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 31–34 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Kia Soul workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2010 Kia Soul: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 34 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 4★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2010 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 1.6L 4-cyl · 2L 4-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Manual 5-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Estate/Wagon |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 102 cu ft (2,888 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 24 cu ft (680 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 34 combined / 31 urban / 37 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 28 combined / 26 city / 31 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 197 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,400 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2011 Kia Soul across 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 26 to 28 mpg (US), or 31 to 34 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 | 27 (25/30) | 205 | $2,500 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 34 | 28 (26/31) | 197 | $2,400 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (24/29) | 212 | $2,600 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (24/30) | 212 | $2,600 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 102 cubic feet (about 2,888 litres) and luggage volume at 24 cubic feet (about 680 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2011 Kia Soul
Running Costs: 2011 Kia Soul
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2011 Kia Soul at 34 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,070 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,400 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2011 Kia Soul Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2011 Kia Soul (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Structure (1), Exterior lighting (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 23V652000, reported 25 September 2023. Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Structure — campaign 14V822000, reported 29 December 2014. Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
- Exterior lighting — campaign 13V114000, reported 1 April 2013. Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission…
Owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Soul. The most-reported areas are Service brakes (32), Electrical system (30), Air bags (26). Complaints include 27 reported crashes, 5 reported fires, 29 reported injuries, 1 reported death. That is close to the median of 228 complaints across the 16 Kia Soul model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2011 Kia Soul
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Brakes (1 recall campaign · 32 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Electrical system (30 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Air bags (26 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Engine (24 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Kia Soul compare to similar estate/wagons? Estate/Wagons in our database average around 34 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 0 mpg. Its 197 g/km CO₂ figure is 6 g/km lower than the 203 g/km average for estate/wagons on this site. This comparison is based on 194 estate/wagons in our dataset.
At 34 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 34 mpg average for Kia models in our database. Its 197 g/km CO₂ figure is 10 g/km lower than the 207 g/km Kia average.
Of the 16 Kia Soul model years we cover, the 2011 ranks 7th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (34 mpg UK combined, against a high of 36 mpg). See every Kia Soul year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2011 Kia Soul
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2011 Kia Soul have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2011 Kia Soul: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 1.6L 4-cyl with a manual 5-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Kia Soul?
The most efficient configuration returns around 34 mpg (UK) combined, or 28 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 31 to 34 mpg.
How much does the 2011 Kia Soul cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,400 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2011 Kia Soul have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2011 Kia Soul have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2011 Kia Soul (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Structure (1), Exterior lighting (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2011 Kia Soul?
Among the 194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Service brakes (32 complaints), Electrical system (30 complaints), Air bags (26 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2011 Kia Soul have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 102 cubic feet (about 2,888 litres) and luggage volume at 24 cubic feet (about 680 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.
Is the Kia Soul's fuel economy good for an estate/wagon?
It returns around 34 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 34 mpg among the estate/wagons we track.