Kia Soul vs. Mazda RX-8 MPG

Chart is based on 224 fuel economy reports for the Kia Soul and 202 fuel economy reports for the Mazda RX-8.

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 RX-8 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
2010	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	1	22	22	55	74	17.1
2009	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	2	16	29	53	68	17.5
2008	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	3	16	15	67	72	20.9
2007	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	5	14	48	33	79	18.4
2007	4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	light	15	24	10	51	78	22.5
2006	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	none	9	10	13	67	66	19.1
2006	4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	med	light	5	28	65	3	60	17.3
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2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	6	16	18	60	77	18.6
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	flat	med	light	7	25	24	44	77	17.5
2004	4dr Coupe 197-horsepower 1.3L R2 4-speed shiftable automatic RWD	flat	lead	light	42	12	23	23	70	17.3

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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

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Mazda RX-8

Mazda RX-8 Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2009	4dr Coupe 232-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	One of the big downsides of the rotary is truly horrendous fuel economy. When the RX-8 first came out in the early 2000s, its mileage ratings of 16/22 city/highway mpg (stick shift) were just barely acceptable, but there days, with many crossovers hitting more than 30 mpg on the highway, those figures are truly atrocious, especially given respectable but certainly not neck-snapping power. Futhermore, it takes premium. If you're using the RX-8 as it commuter, fuel costs will add up quickly. In my predominantly around-town driving, I typically average between 16-17 mpg. My highest recorded average was 20 mpg on a highway trip at speeds around 75 mph. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2007	4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	The EPA numbers are way low compared with my real-world experience. The window sticker showed 18/25 and I have never seen less than 23 with my 40/60 city/highway commute. I think Mazda should develop a lean-burn economy cruise mode for this car. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2006	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Lite bit to high consumption when I drive it in normal speed. On full woot its ok. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Worst fuel economy in its class. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Not that bad for what it is, but it seems to me that Mazda's Sky Active technology could help the city mileage. It just needs more R&D. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	At 16 m.p.g. on premium grade these days it could be cheaper to take a taxi. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	For a small engine displacement and a relatively light vehicle weight, the gas mileage is weak. I usualy get around 19mpg, and that does not realy matter if I am doing all city or all highway driving. I think the real problem is in the sixth gear it isnt much different than fifth gear so it does not provide good fuel economy. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	For a car with a 1.9 liter engine I would have expected better than 16-19 MPG. Get your foot into it and the numbers fall drastically. Otherwise I loved that car. It just got too small with a newborn and a big dog. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	I gets 20MPG no matter what I do. Running around 20. 1/2 highway 20. All the highway all day 25-26. I think that it could do better. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2004	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	16-18MPG city, 24MPG highway see full Mazda RX-8 review