2021 Kia Soul vs 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport

On the public data alone the Rogue Sport edges it 5–1.

2021 Kia Soul

The 2021 Kia Soul is sold in the U.S. as a gas wagon with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Soul Eco dynamics, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg …

2021 Nissan Rogue Sport

The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is sold in the U.S. as a gas wagon with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Rogue Sport, is EPA-rated at 28 …

	2021 Kia Soul	2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
Segment	Wagon	Wagon
Powertrains	Gas	Gas
Best combined mpg	31	28
Safety Signal	70	92
NHTSA recalls	2	1
Critical recalls	2	0
Owner complaints	231	23
NHTSA overall stars	4	5

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.

Recalls at a glance

Source: NHTSA

Soul

!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

SC336

137,256 vehicles

ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.RiskEngine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.

NHTSA campaign 25V099000reported Feb 17, 2025Kia America, Inc.

!critical

Engine

SC209

147,249 vehicles

ProblemKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.RiskA damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.FixKia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

NHTSA campaign 21V259000reported Apr 13, 2021Kia Motors America

Rogue Sport

▲high

Electrical System

R22C8

712,458 vehicles

ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Rogue and 2017-2022 Rogue Sport vehicles equipped with a jackknife style ignition key. The jackknife key may collapse into a folded position while driving.RiskDriver contact with a key in the collapsed position could inadvertently shut off the vehicle while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the vehicle shuts off while driving, the air bags may not deploy in a crash as intended, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will insert a spacer into the key slot of the jackknife key, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed March 29, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.

NHTSA campaign 23V093000reported Feb 16, 2023Nissan North America, Inc.