Envista vs Soul
In the subcompact suv class, the Envista and the Soul are natural rivals. Across 3 compared areas, the Soul takes 1. The widest gap shows up under space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Space & Practicality Soul wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Space & Practicality2.3
- Engine & Performance1.3
- Space & Practicality6.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Soul has 17% more cargo space
The numbers aren’t close. The Soul lists 24.2 cu ft for cargo (behind rear seats), while the Envista lists 20.7 cu ft. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
-
The Soul has 48% more maximum cargo space
A clear win for the Soul: 62.1 cu ft against 42 cu ft. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
-
The Envista has 30 lb-ft more torque
Here the Envista pulls well ahead of the Soul, with 162 lb-ft compared to 132 lb-ft. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The Soul has 10 hp more power
It’s a small lead (147 hp versus 137 hp), but it’s real, and it goes to the Soul. The Soul’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
-
The Envista has a 17.4 in longer body
The Soul sits lower on length at 165.2 in; the Envista lists 182.6 in. Think about which suits your habits. Length matters most in tight garages and city parking spaces.
Design & Size
Want the smaller footprint? That’s the Soul. The Envista is the larger of the two.
Dimensions
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.6 in | 165.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 63 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 102.4 in |
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
Here the two take different paths. The Envista goes for 30 lb-ft more torque, the Soul for 10 hp more power. The takeaway: engine & performance is a matter of preference rather than a clear verdict.
Torque
Envista: 162 lb-ft Soul: 132 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Total system output
Envista: 137 hp Soul: 147 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Space & Practicality
Soul leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the Soul leads the space & practicality section with room to spare. The Soul adds 17% more cargo space. The Soul’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. Bottom line for space & practicality: the Soul has the edge.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Envista: 20.7 cu ft Soul: 24.2 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Cargo (seats folded)
Envista: 42 cu ft Soul: 62.1 cu ft The Soul can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on off-road & towing; the numbers are close throughout. The takeaway: off-road & towing is not where these two differ.
Safety & Tech
In the safety & tech section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the Envista and the Soul list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo I3 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 137 hp | 147 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft (winner) | 132 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | IVT (CVT) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 28 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 32 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 20.7 cu ft | 24.2 cu ft (winner) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 42 cu ft | 62.1 cu ft (winner) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 10.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Buick Driver Confidence | Kia Drive Wise |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.6 in | 165.2 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 63 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 102.4 in |
Price
| Spec | Envista | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $23,800 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Envista if…
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (162 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft of torque)
- you find that bigger suits the way you use a car
- you prefer staying with Buick
Choose the Soul if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (24.2 cu ft vs 20.7 cu ft)
- you move bulky items now and then (62.1 cu ft vs 42 cu ft maximum cargo)
- you want more power (147 hp vs 137 hp)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Envista or the Soul?
The Soul makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if your top priority is 30 lb-ft more torque.
Is the Envista bigger than the Soul?
The larger model here is the Envista (182.6 in); the Soul is more compact at 165.2 × 70.9 × 63 in.
Executive Summary
The Envista and the Soul come from rival camps, Buick and Kia, but they’re chasing the same person: you. Start with the headline difference (the Soul has 17% more cargo space), and a lot of the decision falls into place. Another thing in the Soul’s favor is 10 hp more power. The Envista isn’t without merit: 30 lb-ft more torque is a real advantage.
A quick self-test: do you care more about pulling power or space & practicality? The first answer means the Envista, the second means the Soul.
My pick: the Soul is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if you know that 30 lb-ft more torque would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.