After a remarkable 16-year run, Kia has officially confirmed that production of the Soul will end in October 2025, marking the close of a chapter that reshaped the brand’s image in the United States. What began as a quirky concept car in Kia’s U.S. design studio evolved into a cultural icon, attracting millions of buyers and playing a pivotal role in Kia’s transformation from a value-focused automaker to a design-driven industry leader.
“The Soul was one of the cornerstones in Kia gaining a foothold in the United States,” said Eric Watson, Vice President of Sales at Kia America. “We are proud of the legacy Soul will leave behind as it exits our lineup, but equally excited for the future of Kia’s expansive and award-winning utility vehicle lineup.”
From Boxy Concept to Cultural Icon
When Kia first envisioned the Soul in the mid-2000s, the goal was clear: create a global car that broke the mold of typical compact hatchbacks. Inspired by the image of a “boar wearing a backpack,” the Soul’s bold, boxy design blended the agility of a small car with SUV-like practicality.
Unlike many concept cars that lose their edge by the time they reach production, the 2006 Kia Soul production model remained true to its original concept, debuting with an unmistakable shape and personality that instantly set it apart.
The “Hamstars” That Changed Automotive Marketing
One of the Soul’s greatest cultural contributions came not from its engineering, but from its legendary advertising campaign. Introduced with the tagline “A New Way to Roll,” Kia launched a series of music-driven commercials featuring animated hamsters—known as the “Hamstars.”
These commercials, set to tracks like LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades,” captured global attention. The campaign earned multiple advertising awards, including the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame’s “Rookie of the Year” title, cementing the Soul’s status as a pop culture phenomenon.
2015 Kia Trail’ster Concept Car
A Platform for Innovation and Bold Ideas
Throughout its life, the Kia Soul served as a blank canvas for innovation. Kia experimented with numerous concept variants, including:
- 2009 Soul’ster – a fun, open-air pickup-style Soul
- 2012 Track’ster – a turbocharged 250-horsepower AWD hot hatch
- 2015 Trail’ster – an e-AWD concept that hinted at future off-road ambitions
The Soul was also a staple at SEMA shows, appearing as everything from a mobile DJ booth to an all-electric ice cream truck. These creative interpretations highlighted just how versatile the platform truly was.
Sales Milestones and Critical Acclaim
The Kia Soul was more than just a marketing success story—it was a sales juggernaut. By 2018, over one million units had been sold in the U.S. alone. Kia’s U.S. sales nearly tripled during the Soul’s lifetime, proving its role as a gateway vehicle that attracted new, younger buyers to the brand.
Over the years, the Soul earned an impressive collection of awards, including:
- 2009 Red Dot Design Award
- 2010 IIHS Top Safety Pick
- 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- 2020 World Urban Car (Soul EV)
- Multiple Kelley Blue Book “Coolest Cars Under $20,000” distinctions
Its unique blend of affordability, customization, and everyday practicality appealed to both young drivers and young-at-heart buyers.
Why Kia Is Discontinuing the Soul
While Kia has not replaced the Soul with a direct successor, the automaker’s shift toward a more SUV- and EV-focused lineup played a significant role in its decision. Models like the Kia Seltos offer more cargo space, available AWD, and advanced safety tech—features that Soul buyers have increasingly sought.
Additionally, Kia’s rapid expansion of its EV lineup, including models like the EV3, EV5, and EV9, signals a clear strategic move toward electrification and crossovers.
The Last Souls Are on Dealer Lots Now
Production of the Kia Soul is scheduled to end in October 2025, with only a few thousand units remaining at U.S. dealerships. These will be the final examples of a vehicle that defined a generation of urban mobility.
For buyers seeking a quirky, practical, and affordable compact vehicle, this may be the last opportunity to own a piece of Kia history.
A Legacy That Shaped Kia’s Future
The discontinuation of the Kia Soul is more than the end of a model—it’s the close of a transformational era for Kia Motors. The Soul’s individuality, marketing brilliance, and sales success paved the way for Kia’s current lineup of award-winning crossovers and EVs.
As Kia looks ahead to a new chapter defined by electrification and bold design, the Soul’s legacy will remain a cornerstone of the brand’s rise in America.
