Top Safety Pick

2021 Kia Soul

small car / 4-door wagon

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2021 Kia Soul 4-door wagon — 2020 Kia Soul shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Optional lane departure warning
Optional lane departure prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Soul S wagon

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1909
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Footrest (cm)	3
Left toepan (cm)	3
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	3
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Upper dash (cm)	4
Lower instrument panel (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1909
Head
HIC-15	254
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	27
Femur (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.44
Right	0.32
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	52
Right	72

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Soul S wagon

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1916
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Footrest (cm)	7
Right toepan (cm)	4
Center toepan (cm)	2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	3
Right lower dash (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1916
Head
HIC-15	115
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	22
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	1.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	7
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.43
Right	0.47
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.5
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	52
Right	46

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1916
Head
HIC-15	134
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.21
Right	0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.2
Right	0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	49
Right	52

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Soul LX wagon

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1912
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	8
Left (cm)	15
Center (cm)	13
Right (cm)	5
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	1
Rearward (cm)	-1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1912
Head
HIC-15	235
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)	32
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.2
Femur force - right (kN)	1.1
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	0
Maximum tibia index - left	0.38
Maximum tibia index - right	0.28
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	1.2
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	46
Right	84

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Soul LX wagon

The Kia Soul was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS1914
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-21.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1914
Head HIC-15	161
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Compression (kN)	0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	28
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	33
Average deflection (mm)	31
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.15
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.68
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	2.8
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.5
Combined force (kN)	5.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.7
L-M moment (Nm)	148
A-P moment (Nm)	23

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1914
Head HIC-15	195
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	1.0
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	50
Lateral force (kN)	1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.69
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.63
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.9
Combined force (kN)	1.9
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.8
L-M moment (Nm)	113
A-P moment (Nm)	80

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Soul S wagon

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	2,860 lbs
Peak force	17,851 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	6.24

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	18
Distance below top of head (mm)	5
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	12.5
Head contact time (ms)	52
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	281

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 4 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

GT-Line Turbo trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and gradual left curves, and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	GT-Line Turbo trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	89.4 m	None
Straightaway left edge	55.1 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	77.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	53.8 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	61.9 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.7 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	161.1 m
Straightaway left edge	145.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	83.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	63.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	52.9 m

Trim level(s)

S trim
GT Line trim
X-Line trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	S trim GT Line trim X-Line trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	59.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	37.5 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	38.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	43.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	36.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	136.5 m
Straightaway left edge	106.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	55.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	54.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	41.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	41.4 m

Trim level(s)

EX trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	EX trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-21 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	117.3 m	52.8%
Straightaway left edge	50.4 m	52.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge	50.0 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	42.3 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	39.6 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	36.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	131.3 m
Straightaway left edge	115.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	50.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	38.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	41.7 m

Trim level(s)

LX trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	LX trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2020-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	59.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	37.5 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	49.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	38.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	43.5 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	36.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	136.5 m
Straightaway left edge	106.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	55.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	54.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	41.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	41.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

Optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian Detection

Package name

Optional - standard on Turbo trim

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-22 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

Optional Forward Collision Avoidance Assist

Package name

Optional (standard on S, GT-Line, X-Line, and EX trims)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-22 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped)

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2020-22 models of the following trim lines: GT-Line Turbo trim

Superior

with optional equipment

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 34 mph. A warning was issued 1.8 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	24
Clearance angle (degrees)	67
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	76
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	25
Clearance angle (degrees)	63
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	17
Clearance angle (degrees)	68
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation