How Long do Kia Souls Last?
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Kia Souls are one of the most popular Kia SUV brands.
They are very spacious with a homey interior, a fine finishing from the outside, and enormous cargo space in the trunk.
Their popularity increased even further after the US News rated the car 9.5/ 10 in the last quarter of 2021.
How Long do Kia Souls Last?
Kia Souls are estimated to have a lifespan of 200,000 miles. This number is calculated based on average usage (15,000 miles per year), and at this rate, they should last at least 10-13 years.
This is according to J. D. Power, UN News, and other prominent car reviewers.
But that’s not all; the Kia Soul also comes with an official warranty for 100,000 miles!
More recently, US News ratings dropped to 8.7/10. However, that has not dissuaded consumers.
Additionally, other important rating channels have been giving the Kia Soul the green light.
There are many factors leading to these projections. Let’s discuss these factors and what you can expect from your Kia Soul.
Can Kia Souls Last More Than 200,000 Miles?
Many people wonder if the limit for a Soul’s lifetime is 200,000 miles or if it can surpass that.
Since the Soul model is still relatively new (the first prominent version released in 2009), many users may not have reached the 200,000 miles limit.
However, on platforms such as Car Guru, heavy users claim to have hit 330,000 miles with their Kia Soul and report that the car is still in good shape.
With proper maintenance, the lifespan of your Kia Soul could go up to 300,000 miles and above.
The factors that often contribute to this lifespan are your maintenance habits and the nature of use.
Without proper maintenance, you may find your car in poorer condition sooner.
The Kia Souls with the Best Record So Far
Since Kia has been producing the Soul for about 13 years now, potential buyers have several models to choose from.
Each of these models is practical and long-lasting, but some rank higher than others.
The Best Year for Kia Soul so far is the 2017 model. It has a turbocharged engine and produces a minimum of 147 horsepower with lovely tech additions.
The models for 2018 and 2019 also have stellar reviews, but the 2020 and 2021 models have received backlash for having transmission problems.
If you’re looking for an older vehicle, 2013 is your best bet for the Soul.
To read more on the best years for Kia Soul check out this article.
What the Official Vehicle Agencies Have to Say
On crashworthiness, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Kia Soul under the Good/green category, meaning it is of superior quality and that the vehicle can withstand moderate crashes and survive a hard collision.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Kia Soul has an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Ten Tips to Get the Most from Your Kia Soul
Kia Souls maintenance manual suggests best to take care of your car.
Any well-built car should be well worth the investment, but no car will hold up without maintenance.
Maintenance may cost an average of $450 yearly if you want to get the best of your Kia Soul. While this may seem steep, it’s worth remembering that a bigger repair—-or even an accident—caused by a failure to maintain your vehicle will cost you much more.
Here are some basic tips on how to maintain your Kia Soul.
- Service your vehicle as often as the manual recommends.
- Change the oil as often as stated in the manual (not more than 5,000 miles of travel)
- Pump your tires when the air deflates. Each time you drive on a deflated tire you weaken it and reduce its lifespan.
- Drive within speed limits to preserve the lifespan of your brake pad.
- Change brake fluid yearly to extend the lifespan of your brake pad.
- Use a good quality oil and filter (go with the recommended product).
- Do not overwork your battery. Turn off the lights and other battery-draining devices when they are not in use. If you will not use your car for an extended period, remove the negative terminal cable to prevent discharge.
- Do not overload your vehicle, as that can affect the shock absorbers.
- Be careful on rough roads. Speeding over potholes and washboard roads can damage your car in a variety of ways.
- Be attentive to your car. Observe any changes or abnormalities and have it checked if needed. Nothing beats knowing your car and gauging when it needs attention.
FAQs
Now, let’s take a deeper dive into some of the major parts of Kia Soul and how long they last.
Take note that there are no hard and fast rules as to the level of time for wear and tear.
Most of these depend on usage and maintenance culture.
What is the Lifespan of a Kia Soul Brake pad?
The lifespan of the Kia Soul Brake Pad depends on the frequency of use and what kind of driver you are. If you do not drive too often (and if you tend to follow speed limits), your brake pads will last longer.
But frequent driving and higher speeds may cause the brake pads to deteriorate fast. Generally, however, you should change your brake pads after no more than 70,000 miles of travel. The average life span is 30,000 miles, with 70,000 being the upper limit.
What is the lifespan of a Kia Soul Transmission?
Your vehicle transmission is central to the use and safety of the car and needs to be serviced regularly.
The Kia Soul transmission is projected to last 150,000 miles, which should be about ten years. In many cases, however, the transmission is still in great shape even after that period is exceeded.
What is the Lifespan of Kia Soul Tires?
Kia Soul tires last between 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
What is the Lifespan of Kia Soul Spark Plugs?
These can be changed any time your vehicle begins to use up more fuel than usual.
Generally, however, you are advised to change your soul spark after 105,000 miles, which is roughly five years.
What is the Lifespan of a Kia Soul Battery?
Batteries should last between 3 to 5 years for moderate usage.
Conclusion
Overall, the Kia Soul is an excellent purchase; it has positive reviews and positive feedback from users.
The best-ranking year so far is the 2017 model, while the 2020 and 2021 models have some major transmission issues.
The Kia Soul is a popular vehicle whose practicality and exciting features make keep it in high demand.
We discovered that the vehicle has a warranty of 100,000 miles but can last 200,000 miles or 13 years on average, and up to 300,000 miles with proper care and upkeep.
Such upkeep can help keep your Kia Soul running longer, and includes frequent servicing, using quality oil, and driving carefully.