The 2020 Kia Soul marked a significant redesign for the popular wagon, and with it came updated safety features and crash test performance. For those prioritizing safety in their vehicle choice, understanding these ratings is crucial. This comprehensive guide breaks down the Kia Soul 2020’s safety evaluations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), providing a detailed look at how this model performs in various crash scenarios.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end (driver-side in this case) strikes a barrier. This is a challenging test as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car. The 2020 Kia Soul aced this test, achieving a “Good” rating, the highest possible.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures: | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints & kinematics | G |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul driver-side small overlap crash test demonstrating ‘Good’ rating.
The measurements from the test reveal minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment. For instance, the maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar was only 6 cm, and even less at the footrest and toepan. Crucially, driver injury measures were all rated “Good,” indicating a low risk of significant injuries in a real-world crash of this type. The restraints and airbag systems performed as intended, effectively controlling the dummy’s movement.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Extending the small overlap test to the passenger side, the IIHS evaluates how well the vehicle protects the front passenger in a similar collision scenario. Again, the Kia Soul 2020 earned a “Good” rating for passenger-side protection.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures: | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Passenger restraints & kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures: (secondary) | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints & kinematics | G |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul passenger-side small overlap crash test, achieving a ‘Good’ overall safety rating.
Similar to the driver-side test, the passenger compartment maintained its structure well. Intrusion measurements were low, and both passenger and driver injury measures (evaluated on the passenger-side test as well) were all “Good.” This consistent “Good” performance in both driver and passenger side small overlap tests highlights the robust structural design of the 2020 Kia Soul in these challenging frontal crash scenarios.
Moderate Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap frontal test, a more traditional crash test, involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front impacting a barrier. The 2020 Kia Soul again demonstrated excellent performance, securing a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures: | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints & kinematics | G |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul moderate overlap frontal crash test showcasing ‘Good’ safety performance.
Measurements indicated controlled intrusion into the footwell area, which is a common area of concern in frontal crashes. All driver injury measures were rated “Good,” confirming a low risk of serious injuries in a moderate overlap frontal collision. The steering column movement was minimal, and the airbags and restraints worked effectively to protect the driver.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
Side impacts are particularly dangerous, as there is less structure to protect occupants compared to frontal crashes. The 2020 Kia Soul performed admirably in the side impact test, earning a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures: | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | A |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures: | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul side impact crash test, achieving a ‘Good’ overall safety rating with ‘Acceptable’ for driver pelvis/leg.
While most driver injury measures were “Good,” the pelvis/leg area received an “Acceptable” rating. However, all rear passenger injury measures were “Good,” and importantly, head protection for both driver and rear passenger was rated “Good.” This suggests a strong side structure and effective side airbags contributing to occupant safety in side collisions.
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is evaluated to assess rollover protection. The 2020 Kia Soul again achieved a “Good” rating in this test.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Curb weight | 2,860 lbs |
| Peak force | 17,851 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 6.24 |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul roof strength test, demonstrating a ‘Good’ rating and strong structural integrity.
A strength-to-weight ratio of 6.24 indicates that the Kia Soul’s roof can withstand over six times its own weight, providing good protection in a rollover accident.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is assessed through head restraint and seat evaluations. The 2020 Kia Soul earned a “Good” rating for its head restraints and seats.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul head restraints and seats evaluation, receiving a ‘Good’ rating for whiplash protection.
Both dynamic performance and seat geometry were rated “Good,” suggesting effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Headlights
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime driving safety. The IIHS evaluates headlights on different trim levels. The 2020 Kia Soul’s headlight ratings vary depending on the trim.
For EX trim equipped with Designer Collection package and GT-Line Turbo trim, the LED projector headlights received a “Good” rating.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | G |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul LED projector headlights achieving a ‘Good’ rating for visibility.
However, for other trims like S, GT-Line, EX (standard), X-Line, and LX, equipped with Halogen headlights (reflector or projector types), the overall headlight rating was “Poor”.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | P |
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector/projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector/projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes/No (depending on trim) |
Alt Text: 2020 Kia Soul halogen headlights receiving a ‘Poor’ rating due to inadequate visibility.
This significant difference highlights the importance of headlight choice when considering the 2020 Kia Soul. The LED projector headlights offer significantly better visibility compared to the halogen options.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are evaluated for their ability to avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles. The 2020 Kia Soul, when equipped with optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist systems, earned a “Superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Superior |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, demonstrating effective automatic emergency braking capabilities.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian detection systems are increasingly important for urban safety. The 2020 Kia Soul, with the optional Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped), achieved a “Superior” rating in pedestrian front crash prevention (daytime).
| Overall Evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Superior |
The system avoided collisions with a child dummy in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests. It also significantly reduced speed in tests involving adult crossing and parallel walking scenarios, showcasing robust pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking performance.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use of child seat anchors (LATCH) is evaluated for safety and convenience. The 2020 Kia Soul received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system.
| Evaluation Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | A |
While rated “Acceptable,” the Kia Soul offers two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. Some lower anchors were noted as being deep in the seat, requiring slightly more force to attach child seats.
Conclusion
The 2020 Kia Soul demonstrates strong safety performance across most IIHS crash tests, earning “Good” ratings in key areas like small overlap, moderate overlap, side impact, and roof strength. Its front crash prevention systems are “Superior,” and head restraints are also rated “Good.” The main area for potential improvement is headlight performance, where only specific trims with LED projector headlights achieve a “Good” rating, while other trims with halogen headlights are rated “Poor.”
Overall, the 2020 Kia Soul is a safe vehicle choice, especially when equipped with the optional safety systems and higher-rated headlights. Prospective buyers should consider trim levels and headlight options to maximize safety. These safety ratings provide valuable information for making informed decisions when choosing a vehicle that prioritizes occupant protection and crash avoidance.
