2021 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul
The Jeep Renegade and the Kia Soul are two of the top picks in this crowded segment. They both offer impressive performance, spacious cabins, and advanced safety technology, but which is the right one for your needs? The fantastic team at Friendly DCJR has put together this quick comparison guide so you can decide for yourself which SUV better fits you.
Drivers in Watkins Glen, Geneva, and Penn Yan, New York, can find out the important differences between these two SUVs with our 2021 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul comparison.
2021 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul Performance: Power and Capability
Engine
| SUV | Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
| Jeep Renegade | 2.4L Tigershark® MultiAir® 2 engine | 180 HP | 175 lb-ft |
| Kia Soul | 2.0L 4-cylinder engine | 147 HP | 132 lb-ft |
The 2021 Jeep Renegade comes standard with the 2.4L Tigershark® MultiAir® 2 engine, putting out 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. This is great for pulling along your jet skis for a day at Watkins Glen Beach on Seneca Lake.
Meanwhile, the 2021 Kia Soul offers a standard 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that has 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, so you may think twice about towing something along with you.
Capability
When it comes to off-roading capability, the Jeep has a distinct advantage. The Trailhawk trim level, especially, is designed for exploring where there is no asphalt. With an impressive almost 9-inch ground clearance and protective underbody components, no stick nor creek can get in your way.
The Jeep Renegade also has 4-wheel drive, meaning you’re ready for anything the wilderness might throw at you. Pair that kind of off-road ability with the available Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System, and neither snow, nor mud, nor sand can stand in the way of you and adventure.
Though the Kia Soul’s available 1.6L Turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine can offer a bit more power, this SUV isn’t designed for anything more than pavement. With a ground clearance of far less than seven inches, you may want to stick to roads and well-trodden paths.
2021 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul Interior: Room for Adventure
Interior Dimensions
With over 41 inches of legroom in the front row, and almost 36 inches in the rear row, you’ve got enough room for even your tallest friends in the 2021 Jeep Renegade. When it comes to cargo space, this SUV has over 18 cubic feet of space with the seats upright and a maximum cargo capacity of almost 51 cubic feet.
If you’re transporting awkward or oversized cargo, like your mountain bike, the front passenger seat also folds down.
Though the Kia Soul offers comparable legroom in the front and rear and slightly more maximum cargo space, it lacks the folding front seat. That means, you may need to tie your bike to the roof rather than bring it inside the vehicle.
Interior Comfort
Both the 2021 Jeep Renegade and the Kia Soul have a variety of available interior creature comforts so even the longest drive feels like a quick trip to the local café. Amenities you’ll be treated to include:
- 6-way manual driver’s seat
- 4-way manual front passenger’s seat
- Heated seats
- Premium cloth seats
However, if you like it toasty while your front-seat passenger prefers it cool, then you should note the Jeep Renegade offers Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control. This means you can relax in desert-style heat, while your buddy experiences arctic-like comfort.
Interior Technology
When it comes to entertainment on the road, both the 2021 Jeep Renegade and the Kia Soul have dynamic entertainment features. Both offer Bluetooth compatibility; Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa integration; and center stack touchscreen infotainment systems. This means, no matter which smartphone provider you choose, your favorite music and podcasts are making the trip with you.
However, the Jeep Renegade has an extra perk in the exclusive Uconnect® system. This wireless system pairs with an app on your phone and allows you to remotely start your car, remotely lock and unlock your doors, and can even send your car’s location to your phone if you can’t find it in a crowded parking lot.
Without this convenient feature in the Kia Soul, you may want to put on your hiking boots to explore the parking lot to find your car.
2021 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul Safety: Peace of Mind on the Road
Peace of mind on the road might be the most important thing to consider when purchasing a new SUV. Both the 2021 Jeep Renegade and the Kia Soul are available with comprehensive safety suites that include:
- Blind Spot Monitoring: Using radar, your SUV can see vehicles coming up behind or alongside you that you might miss and helps you avoid them.
- Lane Departure Warning: Your vehicle measures your position within lane boundaries and alerts you if it detects lane drift.
- Automatic High Beams: If you find yourself driving down winding country roads at night, your car has illumination covered.
If you need to parallel park in the city, your car can help. With the Jeep Renegade’s Parallel and Perpendicular Park and Exit Assist System, your SUV takes control of the steering wheel to help you get into tough parking spots, so all you’ll have to do is accelerate and brake when it tells you.
Without this convenient feature, get ready to squeeze into those parallel spots with nothing but your friend running around the car to guide you.
2021 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul: Put Them to the Test Drive Today
When your heart yearns for the wild but your wallet longs for the office, you’ll need a vehicle that can accommodate both. Both the 2021 Jeep Renegade and the Kia Soul are popular contenders in this market, and one is sure to be perfect for your unique adventuring style.
Drivers in Geneva, Watkins Glen, and Penn Yan, NY, can explore all the 2021 Jeep Renegade has to offer firsthand with a visit to Friendly Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. Contact us or stop in today to schedule your test drive.
Don’t wait, the open road and your open-concept office are waiting for you!