With their uniquely sporty style and peppy around-town performance, both the 2019 Jeep Renegade and Kia Soul can put a little spring in your daily commute. But you can only take one of these beloved subcompact crossovers home—so which will it be? To help you make the best choice, our comparison guide does the legwork for you.
Easygoing Comfort: 2019 Jeep Renegade
We know you want a crossover that delivers the comfort goods, and that means a smooth ride and supportive seating. And that means that the Renegade definitely has the edge here. In this segment, it’s tough to find a smoother ride than the one you get in the Renegade Latitude trim. And every Renegade trim model supplies the kind of comfortable front seats and roomy rear ones that make for the best possible road trip.
Inside the Kia Soul, you’ll find space galore. Even after hours of driving, comfort levels remain high. But, because the Soul is tuned for surprising sportiness—another definite plus—it feels a little stiff on the pavement. While some drivers love a sporty ride, this stiffness might be a deal-breaker for some.
Chiseled Good Looks: 2019 Jeep Renegade
Both subcompact crossovers are easy to pick out of a crowd. The Renegade’s exterior style veers more toward rugged, while the Kia Soul is everyone’s favorite cube on wheels. Taste is subjective, of course, but we’d choose the Renegade’s chiseled front end and imposing grille every time.
Off-Road-Readiest: 2019 Jeep Renegade
With its optional performance gear, the Jeep Renegade is ready to prove itself in the wilderness. Unlike a lot of other subcompact crossovers, the Renegade offers all-wheel drive to help you keep your footing on soft surfaces. Even better, the Renegade lineup includes the Trailhawk trim model, which comes standard with everything you need for weekend adventure. That means a raised suspension, tow hooks, and all-terrain tires—the works.
We definitely have to give the Soul props for its sporty handling and sharp steering. Unfortunately, though, the Kia Soul is one of the aforementioned crossovers that doesn’t offer all-wheel drive. It’s a subcompact crossover that should stick to the pavement.
Thriftiest Ride: 2019 Kia Soul
We can’t deny that the Kia Soul is slightly more fuel-efficient. But, when it comes to just about everything else, the 2019 Jeep Renegade destroys the competition. If you’re looking for a crossover with plenty of pickup, off-road potential, and endless comfort, we think you’ll agree that the Renegade is it.