Compare the2019 Chevrolet SonicVS 2019 Kia Soul

Compared to metal, the Sonic’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Kia Soul has a metal gas tank.

Both the Sonic and the Soul have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Sonic is safer than the Kia Soul:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Sonic is safer than the Kia Soul:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Chevrolet Sonic has a better fatality history. The Sonic was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 31.7% lower per vehicle registered than the Soul, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Sonic’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Soul’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Chevrolet pays for the first scheduled maintenance on the Sonic. Chevrolet will pay for the first oil change, lubrication and any other required maintenance in the first year. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Soul.

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonic’s warranty.

The Chevrolet Sonic’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Soul’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Sonic’s 1.4 turbo 4 cyl. produces 8 more horsepower (138 vs. 130) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (148 vs. 118) than the Soul’s standard 1.6 DOHC 4 cyl.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonic gets better fuel mileage than the Soul:

To help the driver achieve optimum performance and fuel economy, the Sonic has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift based on power needs and conditions. The Soul doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Sonic RS Hatchback handles at .84 G’s, while the Soul + pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sonic Premier Hatchback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Soul ! (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Sonic Hatchback is 3.2 inches shorter than the Soul, making the Sonic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Sonic easier. The Sonic’s trunk lift-over height is 27.25 inches, while the Soul’s liftover is 31.1 inches.

The Sonic LT/Premier’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Soul’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Soul +/!’s rear windows don’t open automatically.

The Chevrolet Sonic comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Kia Soul isn’t available as a sedan.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sonic is less expensive to operate than the Soul because it costs $414 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Sonic than the Soul, including $66 less for a starter, $144 less for fuel injection, $11 less for front struts, $181 less for a timing belt/chain and $210 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Sonic and the Kia Soul, based on reliability, safety and performance.