Kia Soul 0–60 Times
The Kia Soul 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 29 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.
The fastest tested Kia Soul is the 2017 Kia Soul !, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.30 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 15.00 seconds at 93.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested Kia Soul is the 2016 Kia Soul EV+, which took 9.70 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.40 seconds at 79.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Out of all the Kia Soul tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 8.07 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 16.28 seconds at 85.83 mph.
Fastest 0–60
6.30sec
2017 ! · stock
Average 0–60
8.07sec
Across 29 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
16.28sec
@ 85.8 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
9.70sec
2016 EV+
Across 29 verified runs, the Kia Soul ranges from 6.30 to 9.70 seconds 0–60, with a 8.07-second average.
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Kia Soul Performance Overview
Kia’s Soul, produced from 2010 to 2020 in the test data here, has been defined by compact hatchback packaging with a broad spread of performance results across 29 verified tests. In the AM first generation (2010–2013), naturally aspirated gasoline models made 138–164 hp, and early benchmarks moved from the 2010 Sport’s 7.9-second 0–60 run to the quicker 2012 + at 7.4 seconds. That established the first clear step in the Soul’s acceleration curve before the model expanded its range of outputs and powertrains.
The PS second generation (2014–2019) widened the formula considerably, spanning 109–201 hp and adding both turbocharged gasoline and electric variants. That era includes the model’s quickest recorded launch, the 2017 ! at 6.3 seconds to 60 mph, while the electric side stretched the opposite end of the range with the 2016 EV+ at 9.7 seconds. Quarter-mile data also tightened in this period, setting up the transition to the next generation.
Today, the SK3 generation is represented here by 2020 testing, with 147–201 hp gasoline engines and the 2020 GT-Line Turbo at 6.4 seconds to 60 mph. It also recorded the car’s best quarter-mile figure, 15.0 seconds at 95 mph, placing the latest tested Soul at the sharp end of the model’s performance history.
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Kia Soul 0–60 Times by Generation: AM to SK3
3 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK3 | 2020–present | 7.30s | 6.40s — 2020 GT-Line Turbo | 8 | The SK3 generation (2020–present) averaged 7.30 seconds to 60 mph across 8 tests, led by the 2020 GT-Line Turbo at 6.40 seconds. Output ranged from 147 to 201 hp across 1.6L Turbo I-4, 2.0L I-4 configurations. |
| PS | 2014–2019 | 8.41s | 6.30s — 2017 ! | 13 | The PS generation (2014–2019) averaged 8.41 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2017 ! at 6.30 seconds. Output ranged from 109 to 201 hp across 1.6L I-4, 1.6L Turbo I-4, 2.0L I-4, Elec 27-kWh configurations. |
| AM | 2010–2013 | 8.29s | 7.40s — 2012 + | 8 | The AM generation (2010–2013) averaged 8.29 seconds to 60 mph across 8 tests, led by the 2012 + at 7.40 seconds. Output ranged from 138 to 164 hp across 1.6L I-4, 2.0L I-4 configurations. |
SK3
2020–present
Avg 0–60
7.30s
Fastest
6.40s
Tests
8
2020 GT-Line Turbo
The SK3 generation (2020–present) averaged 7.30 seconds to 60 mph across 8 tests, led by the 2020 GT-Line Turbo at 6.40 seconds. Output ranged from 147 to 201 hp across 1.6L Turbo I-4, 2.0L I-4 configurations.
PS
2014–2019
Avg 0–60
8.41s
Fastest
6.30s
Tests
13
2017 !
The PS generation (2014–2019) averaged 8.41 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2017 ! at 6.30 seconds. Output ranged from 109 to 201 hp across 1.6L I-4, 1.6L Turbo I-4, 2.0L I-4, Elec 27-kWh configurations.
AM
2010–2013
Avg 0–60
8.29s
Fastest
7.40s
Tests
8
2012 +
The AM generation (2010–2013) averaged 8.29 seconds to 60 mph across 8 tests, led by the 2012 + at 7.40 seconds. Output ranged from 138 to 164 hp across 1.6L I-4, 2.0L I-4 configurations.
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Kia Soul 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
29 tests · 7 years
▾
2020 Kia Soul
8 verified runs
Avg 0–60
7.30
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
15.68
sec
Recorded Tests
8
#02
2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo
6.40sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.00s
¼ mi @ 95.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.40 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.00 sec
- Trap Speed
- 95.0 mph
- Engine
- 1.6L Turbo I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 7A
- Horsepower
- 201 hp
- Torque
- 195 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,200 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 15.9 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 32 H / 26 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Crossover
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #2 of 29
#03
2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo
6.50sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.00s
¼ mi @ 93.7 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.50 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.00 sec
- Trap Speed
- 93.7 mph
- Engine
- 1.6L Turbo I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 7A
- Horsepower
- 201 hp
- Torque
- 195 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,200 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 15.9 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 32 H / 31 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Crossover
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #3 of 29
#05
2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo
6.70sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.20s
¼ mi @ 92.9 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.70 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.20 sec
- Trap Speed
- 92.9 mph
- Engine
- 1.6L Turbo I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 7A
- Horsepower
- 201 hp
- Torque
- 195 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,200 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 15.9 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 32 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Crossover
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #5 of 29
#06
2020 Kia Soul X-Line
6.90sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.20s
¼ mi @ 91.3 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.90 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.20 sec
- Trap Speed
- 91.3 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- CVT
- Horsepower
- 147 hp
- Torque
- 132 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,900 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 19.7 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 33 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Crossover
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #6 of 29
#07
2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo
7.00sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.40s
¼ mi @ 93.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 7.00 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.40 sec
- Trap Speed
- 93.0 mph
- Engine
- 1.6L Turbo I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 7A
- Horsepower
- 201 hp
- Torque
- 195 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,200 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 15.9 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 32 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Crossover
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Week
- Overall Rank
- #7 of 29
#10
2020 Kia Soul X-Line
8.00sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
16.40s
¼ mi @ 86.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 8.00 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.40 sec
- Trap Speed
- 86.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- CVT
- Horsepower
- 147 hp
- Torque
- 132 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,900 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 19.7 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 33 H / 24 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Crossover
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #10 of 29
#14
2020 Kia Soul X-Line
8.30sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
16.50s
¼ mi @ 85.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 8.30 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.50 sec
- Trap Speed
- 85.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- CVT
- Horsepower
- 147 hp
- Torque
- 132 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,900 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 19.7 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 33 H / 30.3 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Crossover
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #14 of 29
#20
2020 Kia Soul EX
8.60sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
16.70s
¼ mi @ 83.8 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 8.60 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.70 sec
- Trap Speed
- 83.8 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- CVT
- Horsepower
- 147 hp
- Torque
- 132 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,892 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 19.7 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 27 C / 33 H / 26.4 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Hatchback
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #20 of 29
How we verify Kia Soul performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Kia Soul trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Kia Soul 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Kia Soul performance FAQs
11 questions
For 2020 Kia Soul models, 0-60 times range from 6.4 to 8.6 seconds in stock form. The quickest 2020 test is the GT-Line Turbo at 6.4 seconds, while the EX runs 8.6 seconds. Across all 2020 Soul tests on record, the average 0-60 time is 7.3 seconds.
The quickest Kia Soul on record is the 2017 Soul !, which reaches 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. That makes it the fastest Soul overall across 29 verified tests. It is also a stock vehicle, so the same model holds the title for both fastest overall and fastest stock Kia Soul.
The fastest stock Kia Soul is the 2017 Soul ! with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. Since all 29 Soul tests on record are production vehicles, there is no gap between the fastest overall Soul and the fastest stock Soul. The next closest current-generation result is the 2020 GT-Line Turbo at 6.4 seconds.
The 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo runs from 0-60 mph in 6.4 to 7.0 seconds across four stock tests. Its best quarter-mile result is 15.0 seconds at 95 mph, which is also the quickest quarter-mile recorded for any Kia Soul. Power comes from a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine.
The 2020 Kia Soul X-Line has recorded 0-60 times of 6.9, 8.0, and 8.3 seconds. That gives it a spread of 1.4 seconds across three stock tests. Its quickest quarter-mile run is 15.2 seconds at 91.3 mph, while other X-Line runs came in at 16.4 and 16.5 seconds.
The SK3-generation Kia Soul, introduced for 2020, averages 7.3 seconds from 0-60 mph across 8 tests. Its quickest run is 6.4 seconds from the 2020 GT-Line Turbo. SK3 models span 147 to 201 hp and include naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline versions.
The PS-generation Kia Soul, sold from 2014 to 2019, averages 8.41 seconds from 0-60 mph across 13 tests. Its fastest version is the 2017 Soul ! at 6.3 seconds, which remains the quickest Soul ever recorded. PS models covered gasoline and electric powertrains with outputs from 109 to 201 hp.
The AM-generation Kia Soul, sold from 2010 to 2013, posts an average 0-60 time of 8.29 seconds across 8 tests. The quickest AM result is the 2012 Soul + at 7.4 seconds. First-generation models were naturally aspirated gasoline Souls with power ranging from 138 to 164 hp.
The 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo is clearly quicker than the X-Line. The GT-Line Turbo has recorded 0-60 times from 6.4 to 7.0 seconds, while the X-Line has posted 6.9 to 8.3 seconds. At the drag strip, the GT-Line Turbo also leads with a best 15.0-second quarter-mile versus 15.2 seconds for the X-Line.
The 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo is much quicker than the EX. The EX reaches 60 mph in 8.6 seconds, while the GT-Line Turbo has run 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, and 7.0 seconds. In quarter-mile testing, the EX recorded 16.7 seconds at 83.8 mph, compared with a best 15.0 seconds at 95 mph for the GT-Line Turbo.
Across all 29 Kia Soul tests, the average quarter-mile time is 16.28 seconds at 85.8 mph. The quickest Kia Soul quarter-mile on record is 15.0 seconds at 95 mph by the 2020 GT-Line Turbo. For the current generation, that same GT-Line Turbo result is also the best quarter-mile performance.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
Motor Week
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Kia Soul can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Kia 0–60 times
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