Jeep Renegade vs Kia Soul

If you’re in the market for a small crossover, the Jeep Renegade and Kia Soul are worth considering. Both vehicles offer ample passenger space considering their compact size, and the Renegade stands out for its off-roading abilities. Our team of experts at our Jeep dealership will go into further detail below and show you how they perform in a head-to-head comparison.

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Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul Engine and MPG

Jeep Renegade via Jeep.com

The 2022 Jeep Renegade’s engine has slightly more power under the hood than the base engine in the Kia Soul. Jeep equips its smallest crossover with a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that can put out 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than the Soul’s 147-hp four-cylinder engine. The Kia offers a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, but that’s only available in the Soul’s top trim.

The Soul and Renegade are competitive when it comes to fuel economy, with the Soul achieving 33 mpg and the Renegade achieving 32 mpg on the highway. The Soul is available in front-wheel drive only, while the Renegade offers a four-wheel-drive option. If you choose a four-wheel-drive Renegade, you gain a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs, which is considerable for the subcompact crossover class.

Renegade vs. Soul Interior

Both crossovers have two rows of seats with room for up to five people. Adults can find a comfortable position in both rows of the Soul or Renegade thanks to the ample headroom and legroom. The Renegade leads the subcompact SUV class with an impressive 40.5 inches of headroom in the second row. These two crossovers come well equipped for younger passengers, with LATCH connectors on the outermost seats in the rear rows.

In terms of the cargo-carrying capacity, the Renegade offers over 18 cu ft of space at the rear. The Soul boasts 24.2 cu ft of capacity. If you fold down the rear row of seating, the Renegade opens up to provide over 50 cu ft of space, while the Soul offers 62 cu ft of cargo room.

Renegade vs. Soul Infotainment Tech

The infotainment tech that is offered by these two crossovers is similar in many respects, although the Renegade has several extra standard features. The Soul’s infotainment screen measures 8 inches compared to the Renegade’s 8.4-inch display. Both vehicles have a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and smart phone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Renegade also offers voice recognition and a navigation system.

The Renegade’s optional upgrades include a nine-speaker premium stereo and a rear-row USB port. The Soul offers a 10.25-inch infotainment display, wireless device charging, and a navigation system.

Renegade vs. Soul Safety Features

The Soul offers a rear-seat reminder in its standard setup, which reminds you to check the back row for young passengers or pets before you get out of the car. If you want additional safety features in the Soul, you’ll need to upgrade to a higher trim to access things like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Another optional upgrade is the driver drowsiness monitor, which checks your reactions and other behaviors during a long journey and alerts you when it’s time to take a break.

The Renegade includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist in its base trim. Blind-spot monitoring and a rear-cross traffic alert also come standard. Among the optional extras on offer are an automatic parking assist, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Renegade vs. Soul Trims

The Soul is available in the following six trims: LX, S, GT-Line, X-Line, EX, and Turbo. The first five trims are equipped with the smaller 147-hp engine, while the Turbo trim gets the turbocharged 1.6-liter unit.

Upgrading to the S trim gets you a larger infotainment screen, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and automatic climate control. You also gain several extra driver safety features and wireless device charging.

The GT-Line gives the Soul a sportier feel due to its a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports suspension, and fog lights. You also gain a sunroof and an adjustable cargo floor that allows you to create more space at the rear. The X-Line has many of the same features but comes with a more rugged appearance due to its roof rails and bolder exterior styling.

The EX adds a touch more comfort to the cabin, with heated front seats, a folding rear-row armrest, and a cover for the cargo area. It also features heated and power-folding mirrors. On top of the larger engine, the Turbo trim adds cloth and synthetic leather upholstery, a head-up display, and a premium stereo.

Jeep offers the Renegade in the following four trims: Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk, and Limited. The base trim comes with standard front-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive. All other trims come with four-wheel drive as standard.

By moving up to the latitude trim, you gain alloy wheels and adaptive fog lights on the exterior. In the cabin, you’ll benefit from a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and ambient lighting. The Convenience package is an optional upgrade that includes heated front seats, a household power outlet, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

The Trailhawk trim is the one to go for if you’re heading off the beaten track since it features off-roading tires, hill descent control, and low-range gearing. You also get a leather-wrapped shift nob and the option of upgrading to leather upholstery. The Limited trim includes standard leather upholstery and some extra add-ons for improved safety, such as adaptive cruise control and automatic parking assist.

Our comparison of these two exciting subcompact crossovers demonstrates that they both have something to offer Ohio drivers. If you’re looking for a small SUV with off-roading capabilities and many standard infotainment features, you’ll struggle to beat the Jeep Renegade. However, if you prioritize maximum cargo-carrying capacity and a larger infotainment display, the Soul could be perfect for you.

Give us a call at (937) 519-3542 if you have any further questions about the 2022 Renegade, or if you’d like to test drive a Jeep near Dayton before committing to a purchase, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of auto experts here at Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville looks forward to providing you with a friendly and hassle-free car buying experience.