Compare the2022 Toyota Corolla CrossVS 2021 Kia Soul

The Toyota Corolla Cross has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Soul doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Corolla Cross XLE has standard Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Soul doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Corolla Cross offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Soul doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Corolla Cross 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 blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Corolla Cross’ 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Soul runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Cross for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Soul.

There are over 62 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross’ warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (169 vs. 147) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (150 vs. 132) than the Soul’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

For better stopping power the Corolla Cross’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Soul:

For better traction, the Corolla Cross has larger standard tires than the Soul (215/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla Cross has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Soul LX/S.

For superior ride and handling, the Corolla Cross AWD has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kia Soul has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Corolla Cross has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Corolla Cross flat and controlled during cornering. The Soul’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corolla Cross’ wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Soul (103.9 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The Corolla Cross has .1 inches more front headroom and 1.8 inches more front legroom than the Soul.

The Corolla Cross has a much larger cargo volume than the Soul with its rear seat up (25.5 vs. 24.2 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Soul doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Soul has no towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Soul has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Corolla Cross detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Soul doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Corolla Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Soul EX/Turbo.

Both the Corolla Cross and the Soul offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Soul doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Kia Soul isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.