Compare the2023 Kia SoulVS 2023 Cadillac XT4

The Soul’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Soul and the XT4 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, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Soul is safer than the Cadillac XT4:

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Soul the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT4 has not been fully tested, yet.

The Soul comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The XT4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Soul 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Cadillac covers the XT4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the XT4 ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 37 percent more Kia dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Soul’s warranty.

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 Soul’s reliability 16 points higher than the XT4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 8th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 8 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Soul gets better mileage than the XT4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Soul uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Soul has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XT4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Soul stops much shorter than the XT4:

The Soul handles at .91 G’s, while the XT4 Sport AWD pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Soul executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XT4 Sport AWD (26.8 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Soul’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the XT4’s (34.8 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Kia Soul may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 900 pounds less than the Cadillac XT4.

The Soul is 1 foot, 3.9 inches shorter than the XT4, making the Soul easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Soul has 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 3 inches more rear hip room than the XT4.

The Soul has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XT4 with its rear seat up (24.2 vs. 22.5 cubic feet). The Soul has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XT4 with its rear seat folded (62.1 vs. 48.9 cubic feet).

The Soul has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Insurance will cost less for the Soul owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Soul with a number “1” insurance rate while the XT4 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

The Soul will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Soul will retain 46.79% to 50.48% of its original price after five years, while the XT4 only retains 45.4% to 45.5%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Soul is less expensive to operate than the XT4 because it costs $300 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Soul than the XT4, including $195 less for a water pump, $529 less for a muffler, $47 less for front brake pads, $17 less for a starter, $167 less for fuel injection, $76 less for a fuel pump, $6 less for front struts and $468 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Soul will be $12165 to $16002 less than for the Cadillac XT4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Soul, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT4 isn't recommended.

The Kia Soul outsold the Cadillac XT4 by almost three to one during 2022.