2024 Kia Soul vs. 2024 Hyundai Venue Comparison

The 2024 Kia Soul and 2024 Hyundai Venue are boxy subcompact SUVs with fuel-sipping engines, outstanding warranties, and excellent outward views. Despite having starting prices right around $20,000, each comes standard with smartphone connectivity and active safety systems like lane-keeping assist and a driver attention monitor. 

These two small SUVs are great for car shoppers who want to keep their monthly finance or lease payments as low as possible. Their small turning circles mean the Soul and Venue are great for city driving. Because of their square-shaped designs, headroom is abundant in both rows of seats, although one has a sizable advantage in legroom and cargo space.

Let’s explore key highlights of the Soul and Venue.

2024 Kia Soul

The 2024 Soul starts at $20,190 and is available in four trims: LX, S, GT-Line, and EX. With Kia dropping an optional turbocharged engine from the Soul lineup last year, the sole (pun not intended) powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that sends 147 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Acceleration is modest, though perfectly fine for routine driving in city and highway traffic. EPA fuel economy of 30 mpg combined on most trims is average for a small SUV.  The EX model scores one better at 31 mpg combined.

Kia Soul Highlights

Warranty coverage: The Soul comes with an excellent 5-year/60,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This alone might give the Soul the win, except for the fact the Hyundai Venue has the exact same level of coverage. 

Larger infotainment screen: Upgrading one trim above the base LX model nets a Soul buyer a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, smartphone connectivity, wireless device charging, and multiple USB ports. The Soul S also brings with it handy add-ons like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Passenger space, cargo volume: Compared to the Venue, the Kia Soul has about 4 inches more rear legroom and 5 extra cubic feet of cargo space behind its split-folding second row.  

Sporty (looking) GT-Line: It’s not any quicker than the regular-brew Soul, but the GT-Line looks racier thanks to its 18-inch alloy wheels, trim-specific front and rear bumpers, flat-bottom steering wheel, and center-exit exhaust. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Soul models for sale near you. 

2024 Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue starts at $19,800, excluding destination fee. Trims consist of the SE, SEL, and Limited. Similar to the Kia Soul, the Venue is strictly front-wheel drive. There is no option to add all-wheel drive. Getting the Venue down the road is a 121-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder paired to a CVT. This powertrain is tuned for maximum fuel economy, not 0-60 mph bragging rights.  

Hyundai Venue Highlights

Wireless smartphone connectivity: A Venue buyer gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the Venue SE and SEL trims. This convenient feature is not to be found on the Kia Soul. 

Low ownership costs: Opting for the Hyundai Venue won’t just save you money at the dealership; it will save you cash in the long run. Among subcompact SUVs, the Venue takes the top slot in our Lowest 5-Year Cost to Own rankings. 

Hyundai SmartSense: Paying less for a new car or SUV doesn’t mean sacrificing safety. Every Venue comes with a Hyundai SmartSense, a bundle of driver aids consisting of automatic emergency braking, rear occupant alert, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more. 

Limited amount of cash needed for the Limited trim: Venue buyers who throw caution to the wind and choose the range-topping Limited will only be spending $23,050, or about $4 grand more than a no-option base model. The Limited brings along LED headlights and taillights, navigation, heated front seats, and wireless device charging. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Venue models for sale near you. 

Similarities

These two boxy subcompact SUVs have identical warranties, and they won’t cost a bundle when you start adding options. Both of these small SUVs are targeted at car shoppers who want a lot of value but also like to have a bit of fun.

Conclusion

These subcompact SUVs are very evenly matched, though the Soul has key advantages when you compare them side by side. It has a more powerful engine, a roomier rear seat, and a larger cargo area. The Soul also has near-identical fuel economy figures compared to the Venue, despite the fact it has 26 extra horsepower.

We like the Venue’s blend of budget-mindedness and versatility. You can get a couple of adults in the second row, though you might want to keep the journey short to maintain friendships. Seeing as how it’s 6 inches shorter than the Soul and has a tighter turning circle, the Venue is that little bit easier to navigate through the urban jungle. 

As the Kia Soul offers slightly more vehicle for your money, we give it the edge in this comparison.