The 2015 Kia Soul is powered by gasoline four-cylinder engines, with a standard 2.0-liter engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter option available on higher trims.
Engine options
Here are the two engines that powered the 2015 Soul, including typical output and where each was offered.
- 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline engine — commonly cited as about 164 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque; paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic depending on trim.
- 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine — about 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque; offered on higher trims such as Soul Plus Turbo in many markets; typically paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic depending on region.
In short, the 2015 Soul's gas-powered lineup centers on a base 2.0L engine for everyday driving and a turbocharged 1.6L option for stronger performance in select trims.
Availability by trim
Engine availability varied by market and trim. Here's a quick guide to where the turbo option appeared.
- LX/EX (base and mid trims): typically 2.0-liter engine.
- Soul Plus Turbo or Soul Sport (higher trims): turbocharged 1.6-liter engine.
- In some markets, a manual or automatic transmission pairing varied by engine and trim.
Therefore, when shopping a 2015 Soul, check the trim badge to know which engine is under the hood.
Note on the electric variant
To avoid confusion, note that Kia also sold a battery-electric version called the Soul EV, which uses an electric motor instead of a gasoline engine. The Soul EV was introduced around the same period but is a separate model from the gas-powered Soul lineup.
Summary
Overall, the 2015 Kia Soul’s gasoline lineup centers on a standard 2.0-liter inline-4 in most trims, with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 available on higher trims in various markets. Transmission options and exact trim availability varied by region. An all-electric Soul EV variant exists as a separate model if you’re exploring non-gasoline powertrains.