MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2025 Kia Soul

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2025 Kia Soul

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

0Recalls
11Complaints
0Investigations
ABOUT THE KIA SOUL

The Kia Soul is a subcompact SUV with a distinctive boxy silhouette that has carved out a loyal following since its debut. Aimed at urban drivers and younger buyers who want personality alongside practicality, the Soul sits in a competitive segment that includes the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue. MotorCaliber covers the 2019 through 2025 model years, and the safety picture across that span deserves a careful, honest look.

VERDICT

The 2025 Kia Soul earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, an strong result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. No vehicle recalls are on file for this model year.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers generally praise the Kia Soul for its upright, space-efficient cabin, strong value positioning, and distinctive styling that sets it apart in the subcompact segment. Most find it an engaging and practical urban runabout. Handling and ride quality receive broadly positive marks, though some reviewers note that the driving experience feels more comfort-focused than sporty.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 14.7%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20717

Index breakdown

Crash protection61/70
Avoidance tech5/10
Defect record18.75/20
Forward collision warning: Standard & OptionalLane departure warning: StandardStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

No vehicle recalls are on file for the 2025 Kia Soul at NHTSA as of 2026-07-02. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the safety score.

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

11 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

2reported crash
0reported fire
1reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsExterior Lighting 4Unknown Or Other 2Lane Departure 2Forward Collision Avoidance 2Service Brakes 2Back Over Prevention 1

Other Soul years

Rivals in SUV (2025)

Last verified 2026-07-02. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 20717), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Kia Soul 2025. Class rank 115 of 153 in SUV 2025. Methodology · Disclosure