Two gasoline four-cylinder engines were available for the 2013 Kia Soul: a 1.6-liter inline-4 in base models and a 2.0-liter inline-4 in higher trims. Both are naturally aspirated and commonly paired with front-wheel drive; there was no diesel option in the U.S. market that year.
Engine options and specifications
Below are the two engine choices for the 2013 Soul, with the main performance figures and typical transmission pairings.
1.6-liter inline-4
Key specifications and configuration for the base engine in the 2013 Kia Soul.
- Displacement: 1.6 liters
- Configuration: inline-4
- Power: approximately 138 horsepower
- Torque: around 123 lb-ft
- Fuel system: gasoline
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive (FWD)
- Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic available, depending on trim
In summary, the 1.6-liter option provides adequate daily performance with a focus on efficiency for city and mixed driving, and it offers a manual transmission on some trims for enthusiasts.
2.0-liter inline-4
Key specifications and configuration for the larger engine in the 2013 Kia Soul.
- Displacement: 2.0 liters
- Configuration: inline-4
- Power: about 164 horsepower
- Torque: around 147–148 lb-ft
- Fuel system: gasoline
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive (FWD)
- Transmissions: typically 6-speed automatic (SHIFTRONIC); manual was not commonly offered with this engine
Overall, the 2.0-liter engine provides stronger acceleration and highway-ready performance compared with the 1.6-liter option, at the cost of slightly higher fuel consumption in some driving scenarios.
Market notes and context
For the U.S. model year 2013, Kia offered these two gasoline engine choices with front-wheel drive as the standard layout in most trims. The availability of a manual transmission was more common with the 1.6-liter engine, while the 2.0-liter typically paired with a 6-speed automatic. There were no diesel engines offered for the 2013 Soul in the United States.
Summary
The 2013 Kia Soul offered a straightforward gasoline engine lineup: a 1.6-liter inline-4 delivering around 138 hp for efficient urban driving, and a 2.0-liter inline-4 delivering about 164 hp for stronger performance. Both engines are typically paired with front-wheel drive and a six-speed transmission, with the 1.6-liter sometimes available with a manual option. The choice between them usually reflects a trade-off between fuel efficiency and acceleration capability.