Compare the2022 Honda CR-V HybridVS 2022 Kia Soul

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/05/01

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V Hybrid deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V Hybrid’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Soul’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The CR-V Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Soul doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The CR-V Hybrid’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Soul and is only available on Soul X-Line/S/EX/GT-Line/Turbo.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Soul’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CR-V Hybrid has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the Soul.

Compared to metal, the CR-V Hybrid’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 CR-V Hybrid and the Soul have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid weighs 672 to 919 pounds more than the Kia Soul. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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

	CR-V Hybrid	Soul
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	141	253
Leg Forces (l/r)	65/19 lbs.	49/286 lbs.

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 Honda CR-V Hybrid is safer than the Kia Soul:

	CR-V Hybrid	Soul
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	71	142
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	142 G’s	259 G’s
Hip Force	310 lbs.	490 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	422
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	73 G’s
Hip Force	567 lbs.	611 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	543 lbs.	1090 lbs.

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

Warranty

The CR-V Hybrid’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Soul runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 39 percent more Honda dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CR-V Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CR-V Hybrid’s reliability 32 points higher than the Soul.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 10 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 65 more horsepower (212 vs. 147) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 132) than the Soul’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 11 more horsepower (212 vs. 201) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 195) than the Soul Turbo’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V Hybrid is faster than the Kia Soul 4 cyl.:

	CR-V Hybrid	Soul
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	8.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	13.4 sec	15.2 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.9 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.3 MPH	83.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V Hybrid gets better mileage than the Soul:

		MPG
CR-V Hybrid
	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/35 hwy
Soul
	EX 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/35 hwy
	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the CR-V Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Soul doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Soul doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda CR-V Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Soul (5 to 7). This means the CR-V Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Soul every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CR-V Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Soul:

	CR-V Hybrid	Soul	Soul Turbo
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches

The CR-V Hybrid stops shorter than the Soul:

	CR-V Hybrid	Soul
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CR-V Hybrid has larger tires than the Soul (235/60R18 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V Hybrid EX/EX-L has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Soul LX/S. The CR-V Hybrid Touring’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Soul X-Line/GT-Line/Turbo.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda CR-V Hybrid 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 rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CR-V Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CR-V Hybrid 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 CR-V Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Soul (104.7 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V Hybrid is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Soul.

Chassis

The front grille of the CR-V Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Soul doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Soul doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The CR-V Hybrid has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Soul.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Soul’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Soul with its rear seat up (33.2 vs. 24.2 cubic feet). The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Soul with its rear seat folded (68.7 vs. 62.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V Hybrid easier. The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Soul’s liftover is 29.8 inches.

The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Soul’s in almost every dimension:

	CR-V Hybrid	Soul
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.5”/71”	26”/59”
Max Width	54”	45.6”
Min Width	41.5”	41.5”
Height	41”	33”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Soul doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V Hybrid. The Soul doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the CR-V Hybrid Touring, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Soul doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CR-V Hybrid, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Soul doesn’t offer memory seats.

The CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Soul doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CR-V Hybrid’s 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.

The CR-V Hybrid’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, 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.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Soul can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CR-V Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Soul’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CR-V Hybrid Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Soul’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the CR-V Hybrid’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Soul’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

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

The CR-V Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Soul EX/Turbo.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Soul EX/Turbo.

Both the CR-V Hybrid and the Soul offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CR-V Hybrid 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.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda CR-V Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Soul isn't recommended.

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The Soul has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Soul has never been chosen.