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If you’re on the hunt for the smallest Kia SUV you can find, you’re going to have to meet the 2022 Kia Soul. Measuring a tight 165.2 inches in length, this boxy compact SUV offers iconic styling, a spacious interior, surprisingly peppy performance, and oodles of practicality.

Sure, who wouldn’t have fun rumbling through town, over small objects, and through small structures in an imposing, brute-force-of-an SUV? While an afternoon of light destruction might liven up most drivers’ commutes, not everyone wants such automotive chaos in their lives. So, enter the small, nimble, and practical compact SUV segment, with the Kia Soul being a prominent member.

If you're dead-set on owning a Kia Soul, you’re going to want to save on your

Kia Soul insurance cost

. While it is value-packed, the Soul isn’t necessarily the best small SUV (or even the best small Kia SUV) on the market due to its middling fuel efficiency and lack of standard driver-assist features—not to mention lack of all-wheel drive. That’s why

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison app, will walk you through the Kia Soul’s pros and cons, while showing you some alternatives.

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What is the smallest SUV Kia makes?

The Kia Soul is the smallest Kia SUV, measuring in at teensy-weensy 165.2 inches long.

What could such a tiny SUV possibly offer to drivers? Well, how about unique looks, great performance, a roomy cabin, and plenty of standard features?

Even if the Kia Soul isn’t the fastest compact SUV around, it's still got plenty of pep in its step, with an energetic 2.0 L inline-4 cylinder engine, with 147 horsepower mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). You won’t win a race in this thing, but its easy handling and responsive steering make the Soul a good time on the road.

Fuel efficiency is a tad on the low side for a vehicle in this class, with the Soul offering up a reasonable-if-not-awe-inspiring 31 combined miles per gallon. Sadly, all-wheel drive is not offered on the Soul.

The Soul’s interior is full of surprises, not the least of which is the fact that there is plenty of room inside this small SUV—its boxy shape gives adults in the rear seats plenty of headroom. You won’t get a ton of cargo in here, but the Soul’s 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space is decent for an SUV this size, even if the rear seats don’t fold totally flat.

MORE:

Why you should consider an SUV over a sedan

Other small Kia SUVs

The Kia Soul isn’t the only kinda-small SUV in the Kia family—both the Seltos and Sportage are on the smaller size, at least compared to other SUVs.

Smallest SUV: 2022 Kia Soul

Starting price: $20,585

Wheelbase: 102.4 inches

Seating capacity: Five

A sporty and spritely compact SUV, the Kia Soul offers plenty of bang for your buck, but you’ll have to go without all-wheel drive, as it isn’t offered on this pint-sized ute.

Small SUV: 2022 Kia Seltos

Starting price: $23,885

Wheelbase: 103.5 inches

Seating capacity: Five

The small, nimble

Kia Seltos

is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Kona, and shares its athletic driving demeanor and respectable fuel-efficiency ratings. The Seltos is also a bit roomier than the Soul, even if it also seats five.

Small-ish SUV: 2022 Kia Sportage

Starting price: $25,305

Wheelbase: 105.1 inches

Seating capacity: Five

The largest of Kia’s fleet of small SUVs is the

Kia Sportage

, which offers more power in the form of a 2.4 L 4-cylinder engine (not to mention the revved-up 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder on the SX Turbo trim) and a much more luxurious interior feel than either of its Kia SUV brethren.

MORE:

Are Kias expensive to maintain?

The best alternatives to Kia’s smallest SUV

Despite us singing the praises of Kia’s small SUVs, maybe you’re not feeling it. Maybe it lacks the driving thrills you’re after. Perhaps it doesn’t offer enough luxury flourishes. All valid reasons to look elsewhere.

On that note? Here are some suitable non-Kia, small-SUV alternatives to the Kia Soul.

Snappy and practical: 2022 Hyundai Kona

Another compact, practical, and value-packed SUV is the

Hyundai Kona

, a sprightly lil’ cute ute with the driving chops of a sporty sedan and the practicality of an SUV, starting at $22,595. While the base 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine and its 147 horsepower is merely fine, go up one trim level to enjoy the 1.6 L turbocharged inline-4 cylinder with its 195 horsepower to unlock all the driving gusto the Kona has on tap.

The Kona is a standout in the looks department too—the 2022 edition sports new exterior elements including refreshed wheel designs, new lights, wide mouth grille, and faux front and rear skid plates.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the Kona’s interior as well, as it boasts a new dash design, digital cluster gauge, wireless smartphone charging, a standard 8 inch touchscreen, and heated rear seats.

MORE:

Hyundai resale value

Affordably upscale: 2022 Mazda CX-30

Starting at $23,725, the

Mazda CX-30

is another dashing entrant into the small-SUV segment You get the agile handling and engine gutsiness Mazda cars are known for, but in a sleek and almost fancy-looking SUV package.

A 2.5 L Skyactiv inline-4 cylinder engine with 186 horses gets this practical and handsome SUV moving, with a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. Crisp and responsive steering and an energetic driving demeanor are also part of the CX-30’s wide appeal. Twenty-seven miles combined fuel efficiency only helps its cause.

The Mazda’s interior will leave your jaw agape—a well-designed and functional interior, with leather upholstery available on the upper trims, and a standard, easy-to-use infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. Along with the MyMazda app, you can remotely start, lock, and unlock your CX-30 from your smartphone.

MORE:

Mazda tune up cost

Handsomely efficient: 2022 Volkswagen Taos

Don’t count the Germans out when it comes to uber-competent small SUVs—the

Volkswagen Taos

is a roomy and fuel-efficient entrant to the small SUV class.

Sporting a turbocharged 1.5 L inline-4 cylinder engine with 158 horsepower, the Taos offers decent power, but its acceleration lags compared to comparable models. However, both the eight-speed automatic transmission (on rear-wheel drive Taoses), and the seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission seamlessly downshift from gear-to-gear. Riding in a Taos feels secure and composed. It also sports a solid 32 combined miles per gallon for fuel efficiency.

You’ll get more cargo space—66 cubic feet worth—in the Taos than in comparably small SUVs. Also, 18 inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, wireless charging pad, and heated front seats are all standard on the Taos.

MORE:

Are Volkswagens expensive to maintain?

How to shrink your car insurance payments

Insuring an SUV can get expensive, but there’s no rule saying this has to be the case—by using

Jerry

, you give yourself the best shot at securing a great

car insurance

policy at an affordable rate.

Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then Jerry gets to work comparing quotes from more than 50 top insurers to ensure you get the best policy at a price you want to pay. Jerry will even sign you up to your new policy and help you cancel your old one, just like that. Best of all? The average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on car insurance!