There's been a big drop off in sales of all small cars, so that part isn't that surprising, but yes those kinds of declines aren't good for continued offering in the US.

 

The soul sells about the same as the Seltos, and currently better than their electric cars. Much different than 10 years ago when the Soul was selling like hotcakes. 😔

Sales figures from GeoSoul’s post in another thread about the soul being discontinued (which is still a rumor)

 

One of the things that has hurt the Soul sales is Kia pushing up the price point. When I bought both of mine in 2012, the only cheaper car on the market was the Nissan Versa and the Chevy Aveo, and both of those cars drove and looked like junk, with felt carpeting, rock hard seats, pathetic 3 cylinder engines, etc. The Soul easily competed with the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, drove better with better options and was several thousand less. Now the Soul barebones with destination is about 22500, and that puts it a lot closer to a lot of other vehicles that are just nicer vehicles.

There is always going to be a market for a reliable, reasonably comfortable car that's cheaper than anything else out there. I think Kia is making a mistake ceding that ground. They want to be Toyota but there's already a Toyota.

 

It's obvious the reason for this.

It's the pricing. A soul is what 25k to start now a days likely closer to 30k for most people. For a little more you can get a better vehicle with awd and a better manufacturer rep.

When I bought my 2011 it was 11k new which is why I bought it. I see no point in buying expensive cars as they depreciate fast and I'm not trying to impress anybody. It just gets me from a to b

But now I'm going to have to spend 30-40k on a new car so I'd rather look into more reliable cars.
lets be honest kias reputation is in the toilet after the past few years.

 

I don't know if in the toilet is exactly right, though there's been some bad press with some of the engine problems and the stolen cars and such. I still think they're great cars overall (Souls and Kia in general) but absolutely they're killing themselves with higher prices. When you're financing a car - which is what most people do - there's virtually no difference in a few thousand dollars between 25 and 30k in a payment that's running 6 or 7 or 8 years. Once you are pushing 30k there's a lot of vehicle options out there besides a small FWD Soul.

 

Without AWD, the Soul is slowly leaning into cancellation.

Too bad, since the amount of interior room for this small little nugget is incredible.

 

Why would someone in half the country even need awd? I live in the north east and don’t even want it.

 

More stuff to repair, replace later. More maintenance also.

 

Notice how the sales dropped off with the Gen 3 ? Like the other posterz stated, higher price point. Also, they are taking off features that used to be standard on +, ! Heated mirrors, seats, turn signa

 

continuing....
Turn signal lights in mirror housings, fog lamps. Taking more off the car, charging more for it. Too much technology in "media center", self drive, etc.
If you're too lazy to put your hands on the wheel, let your wife drive.

 

If you're too lazy to put your hands on the wheel, let your wife drive.

And take a nap, cuz your eta at home is slipping backwards.