I'm a fan of the 1.6. We owned a 2013 Soul Base 1.6 Automatic for 6-1/2 years and 95K miles. Engine ran great and used no oil (almost all changes with synthetic).

That being said, the 2nd generation models I drove seemed much more comfortable and "substantial" on our bumpy roads in West Virginia. Of the 3 you mentioned, I would probably spring for the 2016. Of course, that's assuming the rest of the car checks out OK.

With the 2016, you will have a little bit of the 5/60K warranty left. If you are buying at a Kia dealer, bargain with them to make it Kia Certified at no cost so you get the 10/100K powertrain warranty carried over. I used to do photos and webpage work for 2 Kia dealers, and I believe the certification costs them around $500. If they throw it in free and the rest of the car is nice, that would be a good deal.

 

I'm a fan of the 1.6. We owned a 2013 Soul Base 1.6 Automatic for 6-1/2 years and 95K miles. Engine ran great and used no oil (almost all changes with synthetic).

That being said, the 2nd generation models I drove seemed much more comfortable and "substantial" on our bumpy roads in West Virginia. Of the 3 you mentioned, I would probably spring for the 2016. Of course, that's assuming the rest of the car checks out OK.

With the 2016, you will have a little bit of the 5/60K warranty left. If you are buying at a Kia dealer, bargain with them to make it Kia Certified at no cost so you get the 10/100K powertrain warranty carried over. I used to do photos and webpage work for 2 Kia dealers, and I believe the certification costs them around $500. If they throw it in free and the rest of the car is nice, that would be a good deal.

Agree. I'd go with the newest car with the lowest miles.
That said, it's mainly the road test guys who say they don't like the 1.6 vs. the 2.0. I've had both--'13 1.6, '15 2.0, now a '17 1.6--and I can't feel the difference. And test numbers show at most about one second 0-60 difference between the two.
I find my 1.6 plenty adequate 99% of the time, it's more about timing than brute power. Good luck shopping.

 

pnoman, I haven't had any problems with my 2014 1.6ltr, soon to start year 7. No issues with power, drive mixed with half freeway.

Unless you have a need for the extra 33hp, you probably can't go wrong either way.

 

I suggest running the VIN of the 1.6L and find if it is involved in, the High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter recall. If so, has it been serviced.

 

Don't go near a 1.6. no power when you really need it.. had one and took it back to dealer next day and got the 2.0.. love it

 

I have a 2014 with the 2.0L and 6 speed automatic.
Have put on about 15,000 miles since I got it over a year ago, and it has over 78,000 now.
No problems runs good. Reasonably peppy. I can't speak for the smaller engine.

 

I have been driving the 2013 1.6L Base, manual transmission with 99.5k miles for about a month or so now.

It seems quite decent compared to other cars I've owned at lower speeds. It is so light that the engine size will give it a decent amount of oomph for most cases. I go on short highway trips (~30 min at 60-80mph) where it feels powerful enough to pass at speed and is comfortable overall.

I would be hesitant to make it my main vehicle if I was doing consistent daily highway driving (hour+). I would opt for slightly more power if that were the case, but the 2.0GDI comes with potential, well-documented issues.

On a deal basis -

2013 1.6L at 64k for $5k is a pretty great deal. I keep seeing ones with around 80k+ at that price or higher. Assuming you are an average driver ~10k miles a year, you should get the most out of your warranty.

2014 with 93k miles at $5.5k is an average deal, I picked mine up at 98k miles for $4.5k so you are pretty much on price with the auto.

2016 53K at $7K gives you 6 years and 47k of warranty which is pretty awesome for a second used vehicle if you use it lightly like in my case (5k miles a year or so). You will probably get some upgraded goodies with 2nd gen as well.

I would personally go for 2013 with 64k at $5k. It is tough to get a car in decent condition with that low miles at that price from a dealer that isn't a soul or like a versa, or 20+ rust box with problems.

Good luck with your decision!

 

Hi,
Im currently buying a Kia Soul and came across your discussion from a year ago. to ask you what state are you in? I live on the east coast and prices for used kias (with higher mileage than what you have listed) are running at double the prices you’ve listed. Might be worth me going elsewhere to buy. Thanks!

 

Hi,
Im currently buying a Kia Soul and came across your discussion from a year ago. to ask you what state are you in? I live on the east coast and prices for used kias (with higher mileage than what you have listed) are running at double the prices you’ve listed. Might be worth me going elsewhere to buy. Thanks!

The conversations were over a year ago, kind of pre-pandemic. Prices are double these everywhere. I dropped my jaw when I read the initial post too. Then saw the date.

It's a rough time to buy a new or used car right now. Best of luck.

 

We have a 2017 Base with the 1.6L. Never any problems. Power and MPG is fine with me.

 

Both engines are good. I've had 3 souls a 2010, 2012, and now a 2014 red zone +. All of them had the 2.0lt in them and where very peppy. I did get to test drive a 2014 with a 1.6 and a stick shift and thought it moved quite good. My 2014 though suffered the dreaded rod/bearing issue so I'm waiting for the local dealership to replace the engine in it. So just do your homework, take them for a test drive but definitely make sure that you get a car fax and make sure that all the recalls have been taken care of. I luckily bought an extended warranty with my 2014 and got out of having to pay 6k for a new engine.

 

The most important thing is the maintenance history. Both engines last a long time if properly maintained, but not so much if they're not. Try to find someone with a clinical diagnosis of OCD who's selling one. You know, someone who keeps a spreadsheet of maintenance and logs every time he or she adds wiper fluid or checks the tire pressure. If you can find someone like that, buy their car.

 

That's how I ended up buying my 96 Taurus years ago. Had 133k on it, original everything. Older lady religiously took it to the dealer for EVERYTHING. Eventually that poor 3.0 Vulcan burped 2 rods to the oil pan because some young buck beat it up and ran it dry on oil @ 235k. Original tranny too.. outlasted the motor...

Now that young buck me, got older and matured in theory after all I did buy an adult plaything that is the Kia soul, a lot and is now keeping all the paperwork from the dealer for everything..

 

I'm perfectly happy with our 1.6L.