Kia Soul vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

Chart is based on 224 fuel economy reports for the Kia Soul and 287 fuel economy reports for the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Kia Soul MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2023	4dr Hatch 147-horsepower 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable CVT FWD	flat	light	light	0	0	26	74	71	35.7
2022	4dr Hatch 147-horsepower 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable CVT FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	0	100	50	33.2
2015	4dr Hatch 130-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	10	40	25	25	70	23.7
2014	4dr Hatch 164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	v.lt	none	0	2	40	58	69	30.9
2014	4dr Hatch 130-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	hvy	15	50	10	25	60	29.7
2013	4dr Hatch 164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	none	0	5	5	90	70	27.0
2013	4dr Hatch 164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	10	20	45	25	70	28.9
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2013	4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	v.lt	none	17	33	21	29	40	30.0
2012	4dr Hatch 164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	6	14	15	66	70	29.2
2012	4dr Hatch 164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	0	51	6	42	64	28.9
2012	4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	10	7	10	73	71	27.4
2012	4dr Hatch 138-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	2	10	12	76	69	34.2
2011	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	0	13	29	58	64	31.1
2011	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	9	30	25	37	68	26.3
2011	4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	9	20	47	24	64	31.8
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 126hp 1.6L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	37	18	13	32	60	28.1
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	6	13	10	72	64	28.6
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	9	24	27	40	72	26.9
2010	4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	9	15	1	74	72	33.4
2009.5	4dr Hatch turbocharged 126hp 1.6L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	hills	v.lt	light	10	20	20	50	60	42.5

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Kia Soul Electric Fuel Economy

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2016	4dr Hatch 109-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	0	0	95	5	50	21.4

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Mazda MX-5 Miata MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2017	2dr Convertible 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	25	25	0	50	70	31.1
2016	2dr Convertible 155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	hills	lead	none	15	30	15	40	80	34.5
2016	2dr Convertible 129-horsepower 1.5L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	v.lt	none	5	5	20	70	65	40.8
2013	2dr Convertible 167-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD	hills	med	light	5	5	46	44	60	35.6
2012	2dr Convertible 167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	1	10	39	49	70	28.7
2011	2dr Convertible 158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	0	40	0	60	70	31.0
2010	2dr Convertible 167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	15	16	19	51	68	28.3
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2010	2dr Convertible 158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	hills	med	none	2	2	13	85	63	30.7
2009	2dr Convertible 167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	11	20	34	36	70	26.9
2009	2dr Convertible 167-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	lead	none	0	8	20	73	73	31.5
2008	2dr Convertible 166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	5	15	34	46	67	27.6
2008	2dr Convertible 166-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	lead	none	0	10	10	80	63	27.2
2008	2dr Convertible 158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	hills	med	light	17	8	13	63	75	30.7
2007	2dr Convertible 166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	15	28	5	51	80	27.9
2007	2dr Convertible 166-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD	hills	v.lt	light	0	15	15	70	50	26.0
2007	2dr Convertible 163-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	hvy	2	14	37	47	67	30.4
2006	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	1	3	45	51	96	26.9
2006	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	lead	light	7	67	13	13	93	27.7
2006	2dr Convertible 166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	light	none	0	0	30	70	70	27.8
2005	2dr Convertible turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	hills	med	none	13	23	29	35	67	27.5
2005	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	0	0	16	84	76	31.2
2004	2dr Convertible turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	4	26	24	45	65	25.9
2004	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	lead	none	0	0	20	80	60	27.0
2004	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	3	10	7	80	110	18.8
2003	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	hills	med	none	3	10	18	70	83	31.9
2003	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	7	26	25	42	70	28.0
2002	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	8	20	30	43	74	23.6
2002	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	23	13	5	60	68	28.5
2002	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	light	10	20	50	20	60	21.5
2001	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	hills	lead	light	3	60	13	25	55	27.9
2001	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	14	22	45	20	68	25.5
2001	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic RWD	hills	med	none	0	0	29	71	58	31.2
2000	2dr Convertible 140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	0	20	10	70	80	27.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Mazda MX-5 Miata fuel economy data.

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Soul

Kia Soul Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2015	The top reason to buy any EV is fuel economy. Both the Soul EV and the e-Golf used about 20 kWh of electricity per 100 miles of suburban driving, with the Kia perhaps ten percent less efficient than the Volkswagen. Their EPA MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) ratings are 120/92 and 126/105, respectively. With the average cost of a kWh about 12 cents, this works out to 2.4 cents per mile. Some people will pay one-third this amount by recharging at night in an area with low rates. Assuming 30 MPG and $2.50 per gallon (low by recent historical standards), a fairly efficient gasoline-powered car burns 8.3 cents of fuel per mile. Drive a little over 10,000 miles a year, and the annual savings works out to $600 even assuming 12 cents per kWh. But what about range? This will vary based on driving mix and style. Go easy on the pedals--especially the brakes--in the suburbs without heat or A/C and it's easy to beat the EPA range estimates of 93 miles for the Soul and 83 for the Golf. The former was the best during 2015 for any compact EV, while the latter was about the class average. (For 2016 the Nissan LEAF will have an EPA range esimate of 105 miles.) Of course, that's quite a few qualifications. In cold or hot weather running the heat or A/C will significantly reduce range. To help avoid this, the seats in the top trim Soul EV can be heated or cooled. Those in the e-Golf can only be heated. Highway miles drain the battery packs even more quickly than the EPA figures suggest, because the EPA assumes a relatively low cruising speed. On a 70-MPH Interstate the e-Golf's range fell by about a third. The Soul EV, with a taller, chunkier body, should suffer at least as much. Still, most people rarely need to drive farther than these cars can go between charges unless they're traveling (in which case a non-Tesla EV isn't practical). Recharging via a standard wall outlet can take over 15 hours in either car. Anyone who will often drive more than 50 miles per day should seriously consider having a 240-volt wall charger installed in their home. Chargers cost about $600, but this is without installation, which can easily add another $600 (depending on the specifics of your house). see full Kia Soul review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Soul

Kia Soul Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Hatch 164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	We averaged 29 mpg US gallon driving in 100 degree weather in Phoenix for 3 weeks with the AC on continuously. Driving at a spirited pace, not just cruising along. see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 122-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD	30+ MPG see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	I get about 26 to 28mpg, I got 315 miles on 12 gallons of fuel. I could probably get better mileage, but I have a heavy foot. see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	I travel highway to work everyday (130 kms to work and back) so I was looking for a bigger car with power and great fuel economy. see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	equal to my current nissan sedan, good for trips when we need to take gear but doesnt require a full size SUV that gets 20 MPG see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	Good fuel economy, which I was looking for. I used the CARS Program so I needed a +10 mpg improvement. see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	When new I was getting 30 MPG out of the gate. Now on longer trips at 65 MPH I get 31+ At 55 (roughly 2500 RPM I get 34 MPG. see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	good enough see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	The EPA estimates seem to be pretty accurate give or take for driving styles. see full Kia Soul review

Kia Soul Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr Hatch 164-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Poor at 30MPG! Its stated highway mileage was 34MPG. Never have we got that.... see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	For a car its size, with a 1.6 liter engine and :-( an automatic transmission, mileage is no better than a much larger, smoother-riding Buick Lacrosse. Disappointing. However, Kia -- fast learners -- fixed this for the 2012 models. see full Kia Soul review
2010	4dr Hatch 142-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	I am somewhat dissappointed in the gas mileage I have been getting with my Soul. I average about 28MPG, city or highway. Not much difference between long and short trips. see full Kia Soul review

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda MX-5 Miata Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	Nothing has improved more with the Mazda MX-5 Miata's latest redesign than its fuel economy. The 2015 managed only 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway in the EPA's tests, disappointing for such a light car powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine. The new car tests much better: 27/34 with a manual transmission and 27/36 with an automatic. The MINI Cooper S Roadster was about equally efficient when equipped with a manual transmission (26/35), a little short with an automatic (25/34). The new MINI Convertible, if it shares the Hardtop's EPA ratings, won't be as efficient with a manual transmission (23/33) but will be as competitive as its predecessor with an automatic (26/33). The Scion FR-S barely out-economizes the old Miata with a manual (22/30) but is just a couple mpg short of the new one with an automatic (25/34). Premium fuel is recommended in all of these cars. The new Miata can use regular unleaded at the cost of some responsiveness. In my real-world driving of the new Miata with an automatic transmission the trip computer reported a suburban average around 30 mpg. On a 60-mph highway the average can reach 40, about 4 mpg better than a Scion FR-S and 5 mpg better than a MINI JCW Clubman, both tested with manual transmissions. Drive at 75 mph with the top down, though, and the reported average will fall to 34 mpg. The largest fuel economy advantage over the Scion FR-S appeared when both were flogged along Ohio's Route 26. The Scion's fuel economy dipped into the high teens, but the Mazda's only into the mid-20s. The most likely reason: the torquier, far less peaky Mazda engine doesn't have to be revved nearly as high to reach its sweet spot. The JCW Clubman, its turbo reducing the need for fuel-guzzling runs to the red line, fell between the two with a "spirited driving" average around 20 mpg. Overall, with the redesign the Miata's fuel economy has gone from worst to first. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review

Mazda MX-5 Miata Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Comment
	The first four "why nots" shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. This one might. I didn't ding the MX-5 Miata's engine for its power output, but I am going to ding it for its fuel input. While EPA ratings of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg are hardly abysmal, the FR-S does better (22/30) and a 315-horsepower Porsche Boxster S does about as well (20/28). With one of Mazda's new SKYACTIV engines, the Miata would go much farther on a gallon of gas. (The 2,900-pound Mazda3 is rated 27/39.) But this engine won't happen until the Miata is again redesigned. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mazda MX-5 Miata Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	2dr Convertible 167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	Good enough to drive for fun and not worry about the cost. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2008	2dr Convertible 158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	I average 28mpg city and about 32 highway, and I have an uncontrollable lead foot in this car. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2006	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	The MX-5 always seemed to be great on gas, no matter how hard you flogged it, top up or top down. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2006	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	I average about 8.5 L/100 km, so even though it uses Premium fue, it only costs about $40 to drive as much as 475km. This is with gas at about $1.20 a litre. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2006	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	a very cheap car to run see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2006	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	To date gas millage has never gone under 30mph and has gone to almost 39mph. And this has not been driving it EASY. Like I said before, it is a FUN FUN FUN Car. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2006	2dr Convertible 170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD	Great fuel economy for a sporty car. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2005	2dr Convertible turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	Excellent mileage. I get 36mpg on normal highway cruises and about 28mpg in town. When I go to the race track, I run around 22-24 mpg. If you are really savvy, this car burns about 2 gallons an hour! So cheap to keep on the road. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2003	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	Never thirstier than 10.5 l/100 km, even during autocross. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review
2003	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD	30-35 MPG....easy question these days. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review

Mazda MX-5 Miata Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2003	2dr Convertible 142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD	For a small (size of a subcompact) 4-cylinder stick shift, it only gets around 28 mpg highway...my 6-cylinder Honda Accord got 30+. see full Mazda MX-5 Miata review