Which is better: 2018 Ford C-Max or 2025 Kia Soul?

It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2018 Ford C-Max vs 2025 Kia Soul on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.

Which costs less: 2018 Ford C-Max or 2025 Kia Soul?

Based on starting MSRP, the 2025 Kia Soul starts lower at $20,490. Live Kia Soul listings start at $8,999.

Which has better startingMsrp: 2018 Ford C-Max or 2025 Kia Soul?

The 2025 Kia Soul leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (20,490).

Which has better combinedMpg: 2018 Ford C-Max or 2025 Kia Soul?

The 2018 Ford C-Max leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).

Which has better horsepower: 2018 Ford C-Max or 2025 Kia Soul?

The 2018 Ford C-Max leads on horsepower in this comparison (188).

How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2018 Ford C-Max vs 2025 Kia Soul?

NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Soul (4/5 NHTSA overall).

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Ford C-Max vs Kia Soul

Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.

Vehicles

2018 Ford C-Max

Trim

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2025 Kia Soul

Trim

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Overview

Spec	Ford C-MaxSE	Kia SoulLX
Selected trim	SE	LX
Body style	Wagon	Wagon
Drivetrain	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Fuel type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Transmission	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Engine type	hybrid	gas
Model year	2018	2025

Pricing & market

Spec	Ford C-MaxSE	Kia SoulLX
MSRP	$24,120	$20,490 (best)
Lowest listing price	—	$8,999 (best)
Median listing price	—	$18,200 (best)
Highest listing price	—	$26,995 (best)
For sale now	0	38 (best)

Fuel economy & range

Spec	Ford C-MaxSE	Kia SoulLX
Combined MPG	40 MPG (best)	30 MPG
City MPG	42 MPG (best)	27 MPG
Highway MPG	38 MPG (best)	33 MPG
Fuel tank	13.5 gal	14.3 gal (best)

Performance

Spec	Ford C-MaxSE	Kia SoulLX
Horsepower	188 hp (best)	147 hp
Torque	129 lb-ft	132 lb-ft (best)
Engine size	2 L	2 L
Cylinders	I4	I4

Size & capability

Spec	Ford C-MaxSE	Kia SoulLX
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Doors	5 (best)	4
Cargo volume	52.6 cu ft	62.1 cu ft (best)
Payload	—	1,135 lbs (best)
Curb weight	3,640 lbs	2,888 lbs (best)
Ground clearance	—	6.7 in (best)
Wheelbase	104.3 in (best)	102.4 in
Length	173.6 in (best)	165.2 in
Width	72 in (best)	70.9 in
Height	63.9 in (best)	63 in

Safety & recalls

Spec	Ford C-MaxSE	Kia SoulLX
NHTSA overall	—	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (driver)	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (passenger)	—	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (driver)	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (passenger)	—	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side pole	—	3 / 5 ★ (best)
Rollover	—	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Open recalls (YMM scope)	1	None reported (best)

Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.

Trim overview

All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.

Trim	Ford C-Max	Kia Soul
1	SE $24,120 MSRP(Currently comparing)	LX $20,490 MSRP(Currently comparing)
2	Titanium $27,175 MSRP	S $22,990 MSRP
3	—	GT-Line $24,090 MSRP
4	—	EX $24,790 MSRP

Live inventory

Kia Soul38 for sale

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