Trax vs Soul
If you’re shopping for a car in the subcompact suv class, the Trax and the Soul are likely both on your shortlist. Both have a headline advantage (pulling power for the Trax, performance for the Soul), so the right choice depends on how you’ll use it.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Space & Practicality Trade-off
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Tie
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Space & Practicality6.5
- 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
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The Trax has 30 lb-ft more torque
Not a close call. The Trax lists 162 lb-ft and the Soul lists 132 lb-ft. That’s a substantial gap. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
-
The Soul has 10 hp more power
Slight advantage to the Soul: 147 hp compared with 137 hp. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The Trax has 5.8% more cargo space
On cargo (behind rear seats), the Trax edges out the Soul, 25.6 cu ft to 24.2 cu ft. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
-
The Trax has a 13.9 in longer body
Numbers like 179.1 in against 165.2 in only tell you which is larger (here, the Trax), not which is better. Length matters most in tight garages and city parking spaces.
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The Soul has 15% more maximum cargo space
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 62.1 cu ft against 54.1 cu ft is a small but genuine lead for the Soul. Check the shape of the load floor too: a flat floor can matter as much as the number.
Design & Size
Want the smaller footprint? That’s the Soul. The Trax is the larger of the two.
Dimensions
| Spec | Trax | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.1 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
Give the Trax credit for 30 lb-ft more torque, and the Soul credit for 10 hp more power. For engine & performance, there’s no wrong answer, only a different emphasis.
Torque
Trax: 162 lb-ft Soul: 132 lb-ft The Trax’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Total system output
Trax: 137 hp Soul: 147 hp The Soul’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Space & Practicality
Trade-off
The space & practicality section doesn’t produce a winner so much as a choice: 5.8% more cargo space (Trax) or 15% more maximum cargo space (Soul). Weigh both advantages honestly; the one you’d miss more is your answer on space & practicality.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Trax: 25.6 cu ft Soul: 24.2 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Cargo (seats folded)
Trax: 54.1 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
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t off-road & towing. So off-road & towing is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Safety & Tech
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on safety & tech. Both cover safety & tech well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Trax | 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 | Trax | 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 | Trax | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 25.6 cu ft (winner) | 24.2 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 54.1 cu ft | 62.1 cu ft (winner) |
| Rear legroom | 38.70 in Most rear legroom | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Trax | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Trax | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 11 in | 10.3 in |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | Chevy Safety Assist | Kia Drive Wise |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Trax | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.1 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 | Trax | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $20,500 Lowest price in class | 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 Trax if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (162 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft of torque)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (25.6 cu ft vs 24.2 cu ft)
- you want the bigger car
Choose the Soul if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (147 hp vs 137 hp)
- you want more room with the seats folded (62.1 cu ft vs 54.1 cu ft)
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Trax or the Soul?
It depends on your priorities: the Trax is stronger on pulling power, while the Soul leads on performance.
Is the Trax bigger than the Soul?
Going by the official dimensions, the Trax is the bigger of the two at 179.1 in. The Soul measures 165.2 × 70.9 × 63 in.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on Chevrolet’s Trax versus Kia’s Soul. What I like most about the Trax here is 30 lb-ft more torque. There’s a bonus as well: the Trax has 5.8% more cargo space. Where the Soul fights back is 10 hp more power.
If your days lean on pulling power, I’d pick the Trax; if they lean on performance, the Soul.
My pick: there’s no single winner, so choose the Trax for pulling power or the Soul for performance.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.