2021 Kia Soul vs. 2021 Toyota C-HR Comparison

The 2021 Kia Soul and the 2021 Toyota C-HR both blur the line between crossover and hatchback. Here’s how they compare.

2021 Kia Soul

2021 Kia Soul Starting Price: $17,590 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Optional turbo engine; lots of people space; low starting price; great warranty.

Below Average: Front-drive only; active-safety features not on the base trim.

Consensus: The 2021 Kia Soul is a funky urban runabout with engine options that include a zippy turbo.

2021 Toyota C-HR

2021 Toyota C-HR Starting Price: $21,545 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Expressive styling; strong resale value and reliability; sporty handling.

Below Average: Front-wheel drive only; weak engine; tight rear seat; small cargo hold.

Consensus: The 2021 Toyota C-HR boasts lots of style and standard equipment, although its powertrain lacks verve.

Soul vs. C-HR: Tall Hatchbacks or Wee SUVs?

Redesigned last year, the Kia Soul is now in its third generation. The boxy look might not be to everyone’s taste, but it imbues the Soul with tons of passenger and cargo space. The latter is 23/62 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks up/folded. The latest Soul is more polished than previous versions, with lots of available features and an improved ride.

The top Turbo model sacrifices some ride quality for sporty handling and comes with a zippy 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. With 201 horsepower on tap, the Turbo is more convincing than the pseudo-offroad X-Line, which like all Souls is front-wheel drive (FWD) only.

The X-Line as well as the GT-Line and the mainstream LX, S, and EX all use a 2.0-liter engine with 147 horsepower. The base LX still offers a 6-speed manual transmission, but otherwise that engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a type of automatic. EPA combined estimates are 30 or 31 mpg with the 2.0-liter/CVT, 29 mpg for the turbo, and 27 mpg for the 2.0-liter/manual.

An easy-to-use 10.25-inch touchscreen is on the EX and Turbo; other models get a 7-inch unit. All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Active-safety features such as forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist are available on all models except the base LX.

The Toyota C-HR stands out from other neo-SUVs with its coupe-like styling. The wide rear pillars, though, make for a claustrophobic rear seat, where legroom already is tight. Don’t expect to carry much cargo, either, as the C-HR has just 19 cubic feet of luggage space or 37 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The C-HR’s sporty handling lives up to the promise of the exterior styling, but the 2.0-liter engine is underpowered and pairs with an un-sporty CVT automatic. Fuel economy is good but not class-leading. No other powertrains are available, nor is all-wheel drive (AWD) offered.

Standard safety and driver assistance features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are included on all but the base trim.

All C-HR grades get an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. To no one’s surprise on a Toyota product, the C-HR also boasts strong resale values and reliability.

Front-wheel drive only; modest horsepower; CVTs; 8-inch infotainment display.

Passenger space; turbo engine’s acceleration; long warranty.

Sporty handling; reliability; strong resale value; 2-years free scheduled maintenance.

Which One is Right for Me?

The 2021 Kia Soul is spunky and funky, especially when equipped with the optional turbo engine. It offers generous passenger and cargo room in an easy-to-maneuver package. Kia also boasts one of the longest warranties in the business.

The 2021 Toyota C-HR benefits from Toyota’s traditional brand virtues of reliability and resale value. It offers both striking styling and good road manners.

Ready to buy a Kia Soul or a Toyota C-HR? Shop for one on sale now near you