Compare the2023 Cadillac XT4VS 2023 Kia Soul

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The Cadillac XT4 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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 XT4 Premium/Sport offers optional Reverse 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 XT4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Soul doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Soul only offers a rear monitor.

The XT4 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 XT4 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.

Compared to metal, the XT4’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.

The XT4 has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Soul doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the XT4 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available lane departure warning systems.

The Cadillac XT4 weighs 662 to 1008 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 Cadillac XT4 is safer than the Kia Soul:

	XT4	Soul
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.7 inches	2 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	39%
Neck Stress	131 lbs.	160 lbs.
Neck Compression	77 lbs.	86 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	73/175 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 Cadillac XT4 is safer than the Kia Soul:

	XT4	Soul
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	114	142
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	185 lbs.	259 lbs.
Hip Force	328 lbs.	490 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	169	422
Spine Acceleration	51 G’s	73 G’s
Hip Force	598 lbs.	611 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	204	322
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	522 lbs.	1090 lbs.

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

Warranty

The XT4’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Soul’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Engine

The XT4’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 88 more horsepower (235 vs. 147) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 132) than the Soul’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cadillac XT4 is faster than the Kia Soul:

	XT4	Soul
Zero to 30 MPH	2.7 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12.4 sec	15.2 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.7 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.8 MPH	83.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT4’s fuel efficiency. The Soul doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The XT4 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Soul (15.9 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The XT4 AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Soul (16.3 vs. 14.3 gallons).

The XT4 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 Cadillac XT4 higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Soul (5 to 7). This means the XT4 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Soul every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XT4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Soul:

	XT4	Soul
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	10.3 inches

The XT4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Soul are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XT4 has larger standard tires than the Soul (235/60R18 vs. 205/60R16). The XT4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Soul (245/45R20 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XT4 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Soul LX/S. The XT4’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Soul GT-Line.

The XT4 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Soul doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Cadillac XT4 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 XT4 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the XT4 flat and controlled during cornering. The Soul’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The XT4 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Soul’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The XT4 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 XT4’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the Soul (109.4 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XT4 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the Soul.

The XT4 Sport AWD handles at .89 G’s, while the Soul GT-Line pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT4 Sport AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Soul (26.3 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport 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 XT4 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 XT4 has 3 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Soul.

Cargo Capacity

The XT4’s cargo area is larger than the Soul’s in almost every dimension:

	XT4	Soul
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.5”/67.4”	26”/59”
Max Width	50”	45.6”
Min Width	38.7”	41.5”
Height	26.6”	33”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the XT4. The Soul doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the XT4 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Soul doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The XT4 has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Soul has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the XT4 uses the StabiliTrak® 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.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Cadillac service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac second in service department satisfaction. With a 46% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Soul doesn’t offer a memory system.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’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 XT4’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Soul does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The XT4’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 XT4’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.

On a hot day the XT4’s driver can lower all the windows 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 XT4’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 XT4 Luxury’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 XT4 Premium/Sport’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 XT4’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Soul’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XT4 (except Luxury) offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Soul doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The XT4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Soul EX/GT-Line.

When the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Soul’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Soul offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the XT4 and the Soul offer available heated front seats. The XT4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Soul.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Soul doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the XT4’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Soul doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Soul.

The XT4 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 S/EX/GT-Line.

Both the XT4 and the Soul offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the XT4 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 XT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional Automatic Park Assist can parallel park by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The Soul doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT4 is less expensive to operate than the Soul because typical repairs cost less on the XT4 than the Soul, including $25 less for a power steering pump.

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