Compare the2023 Hyundai Santa Fe HybridVS 2023 Kia Soul

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

Safety

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Both the Santa Fe Hybrid and Soul have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Santa Fe Hybrid has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Soul’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited has standard Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Soul doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe 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.

The Santa Fe Hybrid offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Soul only offers a rear monitor.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Soul’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Santa Fe Hybrid has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Kia charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning on the Soul.

Compared to metal, the Santa Fe 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.

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to 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 Santa Fe 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid weighs 1080 to 1339 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 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is safer than the Kia Soul:

	Santa Fe Hybrid	Soul
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	16%	26%
Neck Stress	149 lbs.	168 lbs.
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	38 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	50/51 lbs.	49/286 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	244	324
Chest Compression	.4 inches	2 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	39%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	160 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	222/167 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 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is safer than the Kia Soul:

	Santa Fe Hybrid	Soul
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	61	142
Abdominal Force	164 lbs.	259 lbs.
Hip Force	415 lbs.	490 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	148	422
Spine Acceleration	54 G’s	73 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	576 lbs.	1090 lbs.

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, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Santa Fe Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Soul has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Soul’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Santa Fe Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Soul.

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 Santa Fe Hybrid’s reliability 33 points higher than the Soul.

Engine

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 79 more horsepower (226 vs. 147) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 132) than the Soul’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is faster than the Kia Soul:

	Santa Fe Hybrid	Soul
Zero to 30 MPH	3.1 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	8.8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.4 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Fe Hybrid gets better mileage than the Soul:

		MPG
Santa Fe Hybrid
	Blue 1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/31 hwy
	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	33 city/30 hwy
Soul
	EX 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/35 hwy
	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy

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

The Santa Fe Hybrid has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Soul (17.7 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Santa Fe Hybrid	Soul
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	10.3 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Santa Fe Hybrid has larger tires than the Soul (235/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Santa Fe Hybrid Blue has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Soul LX/S. The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Soul GT-Line.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Hybrid’s wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the Soul (108.9 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Santa Fe Hybrid is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Soul.

Passenger Space

The Santa Fe Hybrid has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, 4 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear legroom, 3.5 inches more rear hip room and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Soul.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Santa Fe Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Soul’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Soul with its rear seat up (36.4 vs. 24.2 cubic feet). The Santa Fe Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Soul with its rear seat folded (72.1 vs. 62.1 cubic feet).

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Soul’s in almost every dimension:

	Santa Fe Hybrid	Soul
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.4”/77.4”	26”/59”
Max Width	54”	45.6”
Min Width	43.4”	41.5”
Height	31”	33”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Santa Fe Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Soul doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Santa Fe Hybrid’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Santa Fe Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Soul doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Santa Fe Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Soul has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Assist on the Santa Fe Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control 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 different drivers share the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited, the memory system makes it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Soul doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe 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.

The Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’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.

The Santa Fe Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Soul’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Santa Fe Hybrid’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Soul’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Santa Fe Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Soul doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Santa Fe 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/GT-Line.

When the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited 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 Santa Fe Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Soul, and aren’t available on the Soul LX/S. The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Soul.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Santa Fe Hybrid Limited 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 Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s standard 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 Santa Fe 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 S/EX/GT-Line.

Both the Santa Fe Hybrid and the Soul offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Santa Fe 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Soul S/EX/GT-Line offers wireless charging.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Soul doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Santa Fe Hybrid Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Soul doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Santa Fe Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Santa Fe Hybrid will retain 50.72% to 50.86% of its original price after five years, while the Soul only retains 46.79% to 50.48%.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Santa Fe outsold the Kia Soul by over two to one during 2022.