Compare 2012 Kia Soul vs 2012 Volkswagen Golf

2012 Kia Soul
2012 Volkswagen Golf
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5-Door Wgn Automatic !
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Soul 5-Door Wgn Automatic ! 23 28 $18,700 $19,600
Soul 5-Door Wgn Automatic + 23 28 $16,600 $17,300
Soul 5-Door Wgn Automatic Base 25 30 $15,100 $15,700
Soul 5-Door Wgn Manual + 24 29 $15,650 $16,300
Soul 5-Door Wgn Manual Base 25 30 $13,600 $13,900
Select style
2-Door HB DSG
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
GTI 2-Door HB DSG 24 33 $24,091 $25,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn 24 33 $29,851 $31,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV 24 33 $29,851 $31,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG PZEV 24 33 $24,091 $25,095
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof 24 33 $26,281 $27,375
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 33 $26,281 $27,375
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi 24 33 $27,787 $28,945
GTI 2-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 24 33 $27,787 $28,945
GTI 2-Door HB Manual 21 31 $23,035 $23,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn 21 31 $28,795 $29,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV 21 31 $28,795 $29,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual PZEV 21 31 $23,035 $23,995
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof 21 31 $25,224 $26,275
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 21 31 $25,224 $26,275
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi 21 31 $26,731 $27,845
GTI 2-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 21 31 $26,731 $27,845
GTI 4-Door HB DSG 24 33 $24,667 $25,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn 24 33 $30,427 $31,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG Automaticbahn PZEV 24 33 $30,427 $31,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG PZEV 24 33 $24,667 $25,695
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof 24 33 $26,857 $27,975
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 33 $26,857 $27,975
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi 24 33 $28,363 $29,545
GTI 4-Door HB DSG w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 24 33 $28,363 $29,545
GTI 4-Door HB Manual 21 31 $23,611 $24,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn 21 31 $29,371 $30,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual Automaticbahn PZEV 21 31 $29,371 $30,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual PZEV 21 31 $23,611 $24,595
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof 21 31 $25,801 $26,875
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 21 31 $25,801 $26,875
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi 21 31 $27,307 $28,445
GTI 4-Door HB Manual w/Sunroof & Navi PZEV 21 31 $27,307 $28,445
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic 24 31 $18,331 $19,095
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic PZEV 24 31 $18,331 $19,095
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv 24 31 $19,142 $19,940
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof 24 31 $20,885 $21,755
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 31 $20,885 $21,755
Golf 2-Door HB Automatic w/Conv PZEV 24 31 $19,142 $19,940
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI 30 42 $24,322 $25,335
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $25,973 $27,055
Golf 2-Door HB DSG TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $27,590 $28,740
Golf 2-Door HB Manual 23 33 $17,275 $17,995
Golf 2-Door HB Manual PZEV 23 33 $17,275 $17,995
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI 30 42 $23,266 $24,235
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $24,917 $25,955
Golf 2-Door HB Manual TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $26,534 $27,640
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv 23 33 $18,086 $18,840
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof 23 33 $19,829 $20,655
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 23 33 $19,829 $20,655
Golf 2-Door HB Manual w/Conv PZEV 23 33 $18,086 $18,840
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic 24 31 $19,003 $19,795
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic PZEV 24 31 $19,003 $19,795
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv 24 31 $19,814 $20,640
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof 24 31 $21,557 $22,455
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv & Sunroof PZEV 24 31 $21,557 $22,455
Golf 4-Door HB Automatic w/Conv PZEV 24 31 $19,814 $20,640
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI 30 42 $24,993 $26,035
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $26,645 $27,755
Golf 4-Door HB DSG TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $28,262 $29,440
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI 30 42 $23,937 $24,935
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Sunroof & Nav 30 42 $25,589 $26,655
Golf 4-Door HB Manual TDI w/Tech Pkg 30 42 $27,206 $28,340
Golf R 2-Door HB 19 27 $32,631 $33,990
Golf R 2-Door HB w/Sunroof & Navi 19 27 $34,071 $35,490
Golf R 4-Door HB 19 27 $33,207 $34,590
Golf R 4-Door HB w/Sunroof & Navi 19 27 $34,647 $36,090

Pricing

Invoice Price
$18,700
$24,091

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$19,600
$25,095

Monthly Payment Estimate
$327 / month
$418 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating
8.2
7.8

TCC’s Bottom Line
The name rings true: this Kia has a Soul, with fun road manners and tall-wagon practicality baked into its kicky shape. The 2012 Volkswagen Golf feels like a premium vehicle, and it's priced like one too, especially its fuel-efficient TDI edition.

TCC Likes

TCC Dislikes

Fuel Economy

City
23 mpg 24 mpg

Highway
28 mpg 33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification
Small Station Wagon Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)
53.3 - TBD -

Passenger Volume (ft³)
102.3 93.5

Second Leg Room (in)
39.0 35.5

Front Head Room (in)
40.2 39.3

Second Hip Room (in)
52.7 - TBD -

Front Shoulder Room (in)
55.2 54.6

Passenger Capacity
5 5

Second Head Room (in)
39.6 38.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)
55.1 53.1

Front Leg Room (in)
42.1 41.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)
62.5 59.7

Wheelbase (in)
100.4 101.5

Rear Door Opening Height (in)
- TBD - -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
70.3 70.0

Track Width, Front (in)
61.8 60.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)
6.5 5.0

Length, Overall (in)
161.6 165.8

Rear Door Opening Width (in)
- TBD - -

Height, Overall (in)
63.4 57.8

Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
19.3 -

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
- TBD - -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
- TBD - -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
- TBD - -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
53.4 -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)
NA -

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
NA -

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
- TBD - -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
- TBD - -

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)
- 15.3

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)
- 46.0

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA

Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.0 x 1.0 12.3 x 1.0

Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA

Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.3 x 0.4 11.3 x 0.5

Brake Type
Pwr Pwr

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
12.7 14.5

Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.8 3.0

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.6 15.6

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
34.6 35.8

Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA

Rear Tire Size
P235/45R18 225/40R18

Rear Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA

Front Tire Size
P235/45R18 225/40R18

Spare Tire Size
NA Compact

Front Tire Order Code
- TBD - NA

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)
2820 3151

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 x 7.5 18 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material
NA Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)
18 x 7.5 18 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA Compact

Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
6.4 8.4

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
550 - TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
90 120

Engine

Engine Type
Gas I4 Turbocharged Gas I4

Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM
148 @ 4800 207 @ 1800-5000

Engine Order Code
NA NA

Displacement
2.0L/121 2.0L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
164 @ 6500 200 @ 5100-6000

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
25 27

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
28 33

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
23 24

Transmission

Trans Order Code
NA NA

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.36-3.51 4.06/3.14

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.38 1.08

Trans Description Cont.
Automatic Automatic w/manual shift

Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.77 0.92

First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.21 3.46

Clutch Size (in)
NA NA

Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.80 1.46

Trans Type
6 6

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 1.09

Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA

Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.38 3.98

Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.63 2.15

Summary

Vehicle Name
Kia Soul Volkswagen GTI

Body Style
5 Door Wagon Hatchback

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -

Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
NA - TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
- TBD - - TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear
Torsion Beam Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
w/Coil Springs NA

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.3 6.7

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
- 6

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating
--

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
--

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
--

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
--

Overall Side Crash Rating
--

Side Barrier Rating
--

Side Barrier Rating Driver
--

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
--

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
--

Combined Side Rating Front Seat
--

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
--

Rollover Rating

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