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2025 Nissan Kicks ReviewBudget Buy $20,000: 2020 Jeep Renegade vs Kia Soul
With a $20,000 budget, we set out to find out which subcompact crossover is best in this 2020 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul comparison.
Introduction
Whether you need basic transportation, a spritely cruiser, or a legit off-roader, this comparison of the 2020 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul has you covered. Both are sized extra small and both are wrapped in notably boxy sheetmetal, which is relatively unusual in today’s sea of blob-shaped crossover anonymity.
The Renegade went on sale in 2015 with the 2020 model benefiting from a facelift one year earlier. Kia has been selling and refining the Soul since 2008 and the 2020 model offers stiff competition as it kicked off the all-new third generation. Ideal vehicles for folks that need to maneuver in a tight urban jungle and who want to pack up the car for weekend adventures, only one of the used sub-$20,000 SUVs in this Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul matchup can be crowned the winner as we dive into below.
Specs
Entry-level 2020 Jeep Renegades are powered by a 2.4L inline-4 making 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque that pairs with a 9-speed automatic to spin the front wheels with the option for AWD. In Limited and Trailhawk form, a turbocharged 1.3L four-pot comes standard. Rated for 177 horsepower and 210 torques, it works with the same transmission.
Trailhawks are further differentiated by a true 4WD system with a dual-range transfer case. The boosted powertrain earns 24 mpg in city driving and 32 on the highway in FWD setup, while the base motor comes in at 22/30 mpg in city/highway driving.
Kia follows a similar approach as Jeep by fitting base model Souls with a naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder engine though it only makes 147 hp and 132 torques. LX models offer a throwback 6-speed manual transmission while a CVT is standard on the S, X-Line, GT-Line, and EX variants. Only the top-spec GT-Line Turbo comes with the more potent turbocharged 1.6L inline-4 that puts out 201 horses and 195 lb-ft of torque. It pairs exclusively with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
As with the rest of the 2020 Soul lineup, this model is FWD, there is no option for AWD. The turbocharged powertrain is rated for 27/32 mpg in city/highway driving, which is slightly better than the Jeep’s turbo variant. But in base guise, the Soul trounces the FWD Renegade in fuel efficiency with ratings of 27/33 mpg in city/highway driving. No surprise then that the Soul earns a spot on this list of small SUVs with the best gas mileage.
Driving and Performance
Across the board of this 2020 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul comparison, you’ll find fully independent suspensions tuned for a comfortable ride with few exceptions. The Renegade Trailhawk has a slightly lifted ride height and all-terrain tires that are well-suited for off-roading but on road driving will be on the floaty side.
Over at Kia, the GT-Line Turbo Soul is the way to go for those interested in a bit of fun behind the wheel it comes with all the acceleration you would expect from a turbo trim level. The rest of the variants from both Kia and Jeep tend to be on par for the segment.
Comfort and Interior
Thanks to an extra two inches in overall length versus the Renegade and square-edged bodywork, the Kia Soul dominates when it comes to cabin space. Both vehicles offer 41 inches of front legroom, but the Kia has 38.8 inches in the back seat to the Jeep’s 35. There are 23.4 cubic feet of space behind the backseat in the Soul versus 18.5 cu-ft for the Renegade and 62.1 cubic feet with the Kia’s backseat folded down. The Jeep manages just 50.8 for this metric. One caveat is that the Kia’s rear bench doesn’t lay perfectly flat when lowered making it more difficult to load.
As for interior quality, both the Renegade and Soul are evenly matched with cloth upholstery on most models and touches of red to break the mostly black cabins depending on trim. If you require leather, only the Renegade in Limited trim comes with it while the top Soul model makes do with a premium cloth and leatherette style that looks upscale. And niceties like heated front seats, dual-zone automatic control, and a panoramic moonroof are available in both the Jeep Renegade and Kia Soul. But the Soul steps ahead when it comes to infotainment.
A 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard on the 2020 Kia Soul, while EX models and above are upgraded to a 10-inch display plus navigation and voice control. Base Renegade Sport models come with a 5-inch interface and no smartphone mirroring software. You’ll need at least a Latitude model to access that along with a 7-inch touchscreen. An 8.4-inch display is available via a package throughout the lineup, but it is not standard on even the top-spec Renegade.
Trims and Features
The 2020 Jeep Renegade lineup consists of four main models ranging from the entry-level Sport trim with 16-inch steel wheels, cloth seating, and a 6-speaker stereo to the most expensive Trailhawk variant with Hill Descent Control, tow hooks, and underbody skid plates. The mid-tier Latitude model rides on 17-inch alloys and comes with amenities like dual-zone automatic climate control, LED cabin lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and satellite radio.
In Limited trim, the Renegade sports 18-inch wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, and remote engine start. Jeep offers loads of optional packages across the 2020 Renegade lineup like a power-operated panoramic moonroof, manually removed “My Sky” sunroof panels, a Kenwood 9-speaker audio system, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and an automated parking system. Notably, there are no standard advanced safety systems on any 2020 Renegade.
A 2020 Kia Soul doesn’t have any advanced driver aids on base LX models either. However, the S trim above comes with forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, and a driver-attention monitor. Rugged-esque X-Line Souls have 18-inch rims, black plastic body cladding, fog lights, and roof rails. In Sporty GT-Line guise, the Soul largely mirrors X-Line content but with a gloss black style.
A Soul EX is nicely equipped with keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a wireless charging pad, two USB ports, and satellite radio. But for all the bells and whistles, look to the GT-Line Turbo with its LED headlights, sunroof, 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, adaptive cruise control, and head-up display. Be sure to check out our 2020 Kia Soul review for an in-depth look at everything this crossover offers.
The Verdict
Though both crossovers in this 2020 Jeep Renegade vs. Kia Soul comparison acquit themselves as comfortable, well-equipped vehicles, only one can be the winner. And that title goes to the Kia Soul. If you’re aiming to get off the beaten path – or are one of the many serious Jeep fans – the Renegade Trailhawk is certainly the only variant across both model lines that can easily take you there. However, it’s hard to find a 2020 model within our $20,000 budget. If you’re willing to go back a bit further, to say the 2017 Renegade lineup, you may be able to find one that fits the bill.
Trailhawk aside, the Renegade suffers from remaining largely the same since it arrived in 2015, while the Soul benefits from riding on a fresh third-generation platform. As well, none of the Renegades come with advanced driver aids, so if that’s important to you, be sure to find out if the used vehicle you’re looking at came with the Advanced Technology package.
The biggest ding against the Kia is the lack of AWD, but a good set of snow tires can mostly manage that hurdle. Add in the larger cabin, better infotainment, manual transmission option, and brisk turbocharged model and you have a recipe for success. Regardless of which vehicle you choose, be sure to consult this used car checklist before going shopping.
