Compare the2022 Ford EscapeVS 2022 Kia Soul

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Escape have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Soul doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The Ford Escape 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.

The Escape has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Soul doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Escape Titanium has a standard backup collision prevention system 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 Escape offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Soul doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Escape’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 Escape 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 Escape has a standard rear 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. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Soul.

Both the Escape and the Soul have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Escape is safer than the Kia Soul:

	Escape	Soul
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	143	253
Neck Injury Risk	22.5%	26%
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	38 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	324
Chest Compression	.5 inches	2 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36.3%	39%
Neck Compression	58 lbs.	86 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	220/169 lbs.	237/154 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 Ford Escape is safer than the Kia Soul:

	Escape	Soul
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	191 G’s	259 G’s
Hip Force	240 lbs.	490 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	97	422
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	73 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	462 lbs.	1090 lbs.

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

Warranty

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

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

Reliability

The Escape has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Soul doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Escape’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (181 vs. 147) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (190 vs. 132) than the Soul’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Escape’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (250 vs. 201) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 195) than the Soul Turbo’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Escape turbo 3 cyl. is faster than the Kia Soul 4 cyl.:

	Escape	Soul
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	23.5 sec	24.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	86 MPH
Top Speed	122 MPH	120 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Escape gets better mileage than the Soul:

			MPG
Escape
	FWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	28 city/34 hwy
Soul
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Escape 1.5 Turbo’s fuel efficiency. The Soul doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Escape AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Soul (15.7 vs. 14.3 gallons).

The Escape 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Escape’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Soul:

	Escape	Soul	Soul Turbo
Front Rotors	13 inches	11 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	10.3 inches	11.2 inches

The Escape stops much shorter than the Soul:

	Escape	Soul
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Escape has larger tires than the Soul (225/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Escape has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Soul LX/S. The Escape’s optional 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 Ford Escape 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 Escape has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Escape flat and controlled during cornering. The Soul’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Escape has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Soul doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Escape’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Soul (106.7 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

The Escape SE AWD handles at .87 G’s, while the Soul GT-Line pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The front grille of the Escape 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.

Passenger Space

The Escape has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Soul.

Cargo Capacity

The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Soul with its rear seat up (37.5 vs. 24.2 cubic feet). The Escape has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Soul with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 62.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Escape easier. The Escape’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.1 inches, while the Soul’s liftover is 29.8 inches.

The Escape’s cargo area is larger than the Soul’s in almost every dimension:

	Escape	Soul
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.8”/68.5”	26”/59”
Max Width	57.3”	45.6”
Min Width	41.4”	41.5”
Height	34.8”	33”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Escape offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Soul doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Escape has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Soul has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Escape uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Soul doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Escape (except S/SE), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Soul doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Escape (except S/SE)’s optional 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 Escape’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 Escape SEL/Titanium’s front and rear power windows all 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Escape SEL/Titanium’s exterior PIN entry system. The Soul doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Escape’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Soul’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Escape Titanium’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

Consumer Reports rated the Escape’s headlight performance “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 Escape detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Soul doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

Both the Escape and the Soul offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Escape offers optional 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 Escape Titanium’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Soul doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Escape owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Escape will cost $170 less than the Soul over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Escape is less expensive to operate than the Soul because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Escape than the Soul, including $25 less for a water pump, $78 less for fuel injection and $74 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The Ford Escape outsold the Kia Soul by over two to one during the 2021 model year.