No more Kia Soul?

[dubber09]

If I'm not mistaken, K3 is basically the Forte, K4 is bigger. They seem to be following BMW naming model with the number e.g. 3 series, 4 series etc.
I drove Soul(less) for a few days and it was an awkward car to sit in, to drive and cargo space wise, didn't like it a bit.
Rio is very popular in EU, they like smaller cars in general due to tight streets and expensive gas (petrol); I doubt they'll kill it on EU market. But EU Rio is a bit different, seemed larger and more upscale, I rode in one as a taxi passenger.

 

[GR_CoB]

If I'm not mistaken, K3 is basically the Forte, K4 is bigger. They seem to be following BMW naming model with the number e.g. 3 series, 4 series etc.
I drove Soul(less) for a few days and it was an awkward car to sit in, to drive and cargo space wise, didn't like it a bit.
Rio is very popular in EU, they like smaller cars in general due to tight streets and expensive gas (petrol); I doubt they'll kill it on EU market. But EU Rio is a bit different, seemed larger and more upscale, I rode in one as a taxi passenger.

K3=Rio
K4=Forte
K5=Optima
K8=Cadenza

 

[supton]

Haven't been in one, but I'll go with, it's a loss to the market. Small FWD wagons, meets the needs of many--but not the wants I guess.

 

[dubber09]

K3=Rio
K4=Forte
K5=Optima
K8=Cadenza

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Forte

 

[GR_CoB]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Forte

Wikipedia happens to be wrong sometimes.

 

[dubber09]

Hmm, interesting, good to clear this up.

 

[dishdude]

Someone crafted "Hami" applique's for the Soul using a Mopar "Hemi" typeface. It made me laugh.

If I has a Soul I'd put the Hellhamster on the fender! And probably the HAMI without that hamster.

 

[BHopkins]

Really? Wow. I didn't realize that. Thanks.

I just looked it up. They said they stopped due to declining sales in sedans and more focus on SUV's. There seems to be rumor of it being replaced by the K3, but, that's just wikipedia for ya.

According to the annual sales figures I found, Soul sales has been steadily declining since sales peaked in 2016, at nearly 155k. Soul sales for 2024 was 52k.

Those sort of sales figures don't justify keeping around, what is probably a lower profit margin car.

 

[wemay]

Being a sucker for squared off cars (my favorite all time vehicle is the Volvo 850 T5-R and R wagons); Man, i hope not. The Soul was on my short list of next vehicles. I love the styling and practicality of it.

 

[I<3oil]

Aw man

 

[macarose]

If they put a serious effort they could boost sales above 100k

 

[cb450sc]

The K5 was axed in Canada last year after three years. I have the '21 AWD GT Line. I love it and would have purchased another one in the future

 

[Carmudgeon]

The best one was the first gen beta 2.

I know someone with an OG model. Has basically been trouble free, with no unexpected repairs; just maintenance and wear items.

The drivetrain is kinda agricultural, and the chassis does betray its >100k miles when taking a driveway at an angle forces it to flex, but it's very space efficient for such a small vehicle. I've used it to transport stuff that wouldn't fit in my own vehicles.

 

[wemay]

If they put a serious effort they could boost sales above 100k

Yearly sales:
KIA sold over 150k units of the Soul once and over 140k a few times. It averages roughly 65k since first introduced.

 

[zzyzzx]

According to the annual sales figures I found, Soul sales has been steadily declining since sales peaked in 2016, at nearly 155k. Soul sales for 2024 was 52k.

Those sort of sales figures don't justify keeping around, what is probably a lower profit margin car.

Was the 52K a worldwide figure, or just for the US?

 

[BHopkins]

Was the 52K a worldwide figure, or just for the US?

That is U.S. sales.

I did find worldwide sales, by region, on Wikipedia, and they are a little different from what I found for U.S. only sales numbers. (It looks like the 2016 154,768 was transposed, and should have been 145,768.)

Those worldwide figures show that, except for the first 3 years of production, when the Soul was a big hit in it's home country of South Korea, the the U.S. market has always carried the Soul. For example, in 2016, when the Soul was peaking in the U.S. at 146k, worldwide sales was 195,802.

 

[addyguy]

Had a 2010 for about 5 years, was a great car - reliable, lots of room inside. Only downside was it was geared short; so it revved like crazy on the highway. With my all-highway commute, I sold it and kept the G5 when my wife got her Jeep. I often regret that choice, bc I did like that little box a lot!

 

[Randol]

Of the cube type cars the Soul was my favorite.

 

[Enthusiast]

Yeah I remember those ads. Those ads are precisely The reason why I would avoid buying one of those at all costs.

 

[odie]

The KIA Soul is being dropped in CANADA and looks to be unavailable NEW in a few months . The video was placed by BRANTFORD KIA of ONTARIO on 1/10/25 . This will likely be the same for the U.S..