Kia Soul vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Kia SoulLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | S |
| Body style | Wagon | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia SoulLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $20,490 (best) | $23,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $3,900 (best) | $10,774 |
| Median listing price | $15,001 (best) | $24,577 |
| Highest listing price | $26,840 (best) | $32,232 |
| For sale now | 66 | 135 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia SoulLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 27 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 14.3 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia SoulLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 158 hp (best) |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia SoulLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 62.1 cu ft (best) | 14.1 cu ft |
| Payload | 1,135 lbs (best) | 915 lbs |
| Curb weight | 2,888 lbs (best) | 2,998 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 6.7 in (best) | 5.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 in | 105.7 in (best) |
| Length | 165.2 in | 186.5 in (best) |
| Width | 70.9 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 63 in (best) | 57.7 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia SoulLX | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 3 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 1 |
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 | Kia Soul | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $20,490 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $22,990 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | GT-Line $24,090 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $24,790 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
Live inventory
Kia Soul66 for sale
See all
Used2021 Kia Soul
GT-Line
Cherry Black•Black$12,81277,433 miCurry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
Used2020 Kia Soul
EX
Solar Yellow•BLACK$12,78877,995 miClassic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2023 Kia Soul
GT-Line
Fusion Black•Black$19,88543,168 miLou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Used2020 Kia Soul
GT-Line
Snow White Pearl•Black$13,74358,593 miPhil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Used2020 Kia Soul
S
Gravity Gray•black$13,90973,485 miPhil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Used2017 Kia Soul
Plus
Carribean Blue•Black$13,24737,572 miPhil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Volkswagen Jetta135 for sale
See all
Used2017 Volkswagen Jetta
1.8T SEL
White Silver Metallic•Titan Black$14,75061,119 miDrive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Certified2024 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T SE
Black•Storm Gray$20,88559,585 miLou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Certified2025 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T SE
Platinum Gray Metallic•Titan Black$24,77414,015 miLou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Used2020 Volkswagen Jetta
1.4T SE
Black Uni•Titan Black$14,23450,530 miPhil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Used2017 Volkswagen Jetta
1.4T SE
Gray•titan$12,90781,631 miKia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Certified2025 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T SE
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black$23,49710,311 miGreensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Kia Soul vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Kia Soul or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2025 Kia Soul or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2025 Kia Soul starts lower at $20,490. Live Kia Soul listings start at $3,900. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $10,774.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Kia Soul or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2025 Kia Soul leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (20,490).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Kia Soul or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Kia Soul or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on horsepower in this comparison (228).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Soul (4/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).