Which South Korean automaker produces the Kia Soul?

The story behind the answer

Kia produces the Kia Soul.

The Kia Soul is a boxy five-door hatchback introduced by South Korean automaker Kia in 2008. Kia developed the concept partly to appeal to younger buyers, and its upright shape gave it a distinctive identity in a market that included vehicles such as the Scion xB, Nissan Cube and Chrysler PT Cruiser. The production version was shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

Kia is the canonical answer. The Soul is not made by Hyundai, even though Kia and Hyundai are closely related South Korean companies within Hyundai Motor Group. Daewoo and SsangYong are separate Korean automotive names and are not the manufacturer of this model.

The Soul’s tall roof and squared-off body create a roomy-feeling cabin, but the model has traditionally been front-wheel drive rather than a true four-wheel-drive SUV. Kia also offered the Soul EV, a battery-electric version, in several markets from the 2010s. The name “Soul” is commonly associated with Seoul, the city where Kia is headquartered, although Kia’s own global design and development work has involved facilities outside South Korea.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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