2020 Kia Soul vs 2020 Nissan Kicks

August 3, 2020

The small crossover SUV game has long been dominated by the Kia Soul but every model year it seems to pick up more and more competition. New to the game is the 2020 Nissan Kicks and the small crossover SUV we will be using to compare to the 2020 Kia Soul. These two crossovers perfectly define the modern-day entry-level vehicle by being affordable, stylish, tech-savvy, and more, but which one should you choose? We answer that below.

2020 Kia Soul

For 2020 Kia gave the Soul a complete overhaul by redesigning the exterior and interior of their class-leading crossover. All-new looks inside and out, high tech features, but with the same reliability, you’ve come to expect from Kia, all starting at just $17,490. The Soul even comes with an available turbocharged engine now. The 2020 Kia Soul maintains its versatility still sporting the distinctive hatchback but brings into play new details that improve drivability and comfort. No matter what you are looking for there is a Soul for everyone.

Starting with the redesign, the Kia Soul now comes in a trim level boasting a more racer feel with the GT-Line which comes with the available turbocharged engine mentioned before, unique styling, and an available center exhaust, but the Soul also comes in with a trim giving it a more rugged look with the Soul X-Line. Kia just continues to add to the Soul by giving it more personality and customizability which for a lot of people is extremely important in today’s world. From the ground up the Soul has seen some vast improvements like a longer wheelbase and stiffer chassis which gives it a much better ride than previous years. One feature that is sure to turn a lot of heads is that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now comes standard across all trim levels. Overall the 2020 Kia Soul makes strides across the board and is definitely a smaller size SUV you should have on your list.

2020 Nissan Kicks

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is the new kid on the block to give the Kia Soul a run for its money. Replacing the Nissan Juke, the Kicks is Nissan’s new stylish, fuel-efficient small SUV with a great personality and an affordable price. Riding in with an available 8-speaker Bose Personal Plus sound system with head restraint speakers, the Nissan Kicks is instantly a competitor in the crossover SUV entertainment scene. A shorter wheelbase which means a rougher ride at times and a 1.6-liter engine that has enough power to merge but not enough to really get up and go keeps the Kicks from really outshining the competition.

The Nissan Kicks comes in with options for its appearance letting you customize the exterior of your ride with two-tone paint, although not with as many options as you can find on the Kia Soul. Where the Kicks beats the Soul is the trunk space. The back-cargo area is shaped to maximize volume giving you more space instantly without folding down the seats.

Side-By-Side

What’s The Verdict?

Overall, while the 2020 Nissan Kicks definitely came to challenge the longtime champ it just couldn’t quite make the cut against the new 2020 Kia Soul. A lower price point, more standard features, great styling, and just more personalization options, the 2020 Kia Soul is definitely the choice to make if you’re looking for a new crossover SUV.

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