If you're cross-shopping a used Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and a used Kia Soul around Panama City Beach, the short version comes down to this. The Soul wins on fuel economy and flat-cargo utility, and the Outlander Sport is the only one of the two that offers all-wheel drive. That single fact reshapes the decision for Bay County buyers.
- The EPA rates the 2024 Kia Soul at 27/33 mpg (city/highway) against the Outlander Sport's 24/30 mpg FWD (a noticeable gap at the pump).
- The Soul has more usable cargo room when seats are folded (62.1 cu ft vs 49.5), but neither cargo floor is perfectly flat.
- The Outlander Sport offers AWD. The Soul does not. Not on any trim, ever.
- A NHTSA-documented CVT software recall covers 2019-2022 Outlander Sports; confirm it's been remedied before you sign.
- For most Bay County daily drivers and Frank Brown Park families, the Soul edges ahead. If wet-road grip matters to you, the Outlander Sport is the only choice in this class.
What's the Real Difference Between These Two?
The Outlander Sport is a compact crossover on a raised platform, with genuine SUV proportions and optional all-wheel drive, while the Soul is a tall wagon that Kia calls a crossover, so the two share a used-car price band without really being the same kind of vehicle. We don't mean the wagon label as a dig. Call it a feature. The boxy shape is exactly why the Soul's cargo numbers come out so strong. But it does mean these two aren't the same type of vehicle, even when they land on the same shopping list.
Line them up side by side and the numbers that matter look like this.
| Spec / Use Case | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (2019-2022) | Kia Soul (2020-2024) |
|---|---|---|
| EPA City / Hwy MPG | 24 / 30 (FWD); 23 / 29 (AWD) | 27 / 33 (FWD only) |
| Cargo (seats up) | 21.7 cu ft | 24.2 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 49.5 cu ft | 62.1 cu ft |
| Drivetrain options | FWD or AWD | FWD only |
| Horsepower | 148 hp (2.0L) / 168 hp (2.4L GT) | 147 hp (2.0L) |
| Rear seat space | Tight for adults over 5'9" | Notably more headroom |
| Key recall to verify | CVT software (NHTSA 22V563000) | No equivalent powertrain recall |
| Frank Brown Park parking | Fine either way | Fine either way |
Those EPA figures are for the standard engines on each platform. The Outlander Sport's 2.4L GT trim bumps power to 168 hp (but fuel economy drops further, down to roughly 23/28 mpg in AWD trim).
Does the Drivetrain Question Actually Matter in Bay County?
For most Panama City area buyers the drivetrain matters less than you'd think, though not zero, because Florida isn't a snow state and the AWD-for-winter logic that holds up north doesn't translate to the Gulf Coast. That said, we get serious summer thunderstorms from June through November, and those downpours can leave standing water on roads quickly. The Outlander Sport's AWD system sends torque to all four wheels when the front tires slip, a genuine traction advantage in those first few seconds of heavy rain on a wet road.
The Kia Soul is a front-wheel-drive-only vehicle on every trim. Always has been. If traction in wet conditions is a priority, that's a factual limitation worth weighing, not a dealbreaker (but it's real).
On the flip side, the Soul's EPA-rated 27 city / 33 highway mpg (2024 model, per the EPA) against the Outlander Sport's 24 city / 30 highway (FWD, same EPA source) means you're saving meaningfully at the pump on every errand and every drive up US-98. Over time, that adds up, and it isn't a small difference.
Cargo and Cabin: The Soul's Structural Advantage
Cargo is where the Soul's box shape pays off, since the 2024 model gives you 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats against 21.7 in the Outlander Sport, and folding those seats opens up 62.1 cubic feet versus 49.5. The gap is meaningful. You'll notice it the first time you load up.
There's an honest tradeoff, though. When you fold the Soul's rear seats, a load-floor hump at the base limits how easily long, flat items slide all the way in. A bike, some plywood, a stroller that needs to lie flat (you'll feel it). The Outlander Sport's folded floor isn't perfectly flat either, but its rear cargo opening is usually easier to load from a standing position thanks to the SUV-style liftgate height.
What does this mean near Frank Brown Park? If your Saturday involves hauling sports gear, folding chairs, a cooler, and a dog to one of the park's tournament fields or the Gayle's Trails trailhead, the Soul carries it all more comfortably. If you're doing lighter loads and want the security of AWD on the drive home through a surprise squall, that shifts the math.
The Outlander Sport's rear seat is tight. Legroom is workable, but anyone much over 5'9" will feel it on longer drives. By contrast, the Soul has 38.8 inches of rear legroom and genuinely usable headroom for adults. Three adults in the back of a Soul is doable. Three in the Outlander Sport is a negotiation.
That recall carries a software remedy dealers apply free of charge. It is documented and fixable. But when you're looking at a used 2019-2022 Outlander Sport, the first thing our team checks is whether that CVT-ECU update has been completed. If the service history doesn't confirm it, the deal waits until it's done. Non-negotiable.
The 2020-and-Newer Sweet Spot Years (and the Years to Watch)
Kia Soul sweet spot: The 2020-2024 Soul (third generation) is the version you want. Kia redesigned the platform for 2020 with a stiffer chassis, better ride quality, and the 2.0L engine that delivers the 27/33 mpg rating. Any 2019 or older Soul rode an older platform that's tougher to find in good shape now. Stick with 2020 and newer.
Outlander Sport sweet spot: 2023 is the cleanest pick in this generation (it avoids the CVT recall window that covers 2019-2022). A 2022 works too if you confirm the software fix is on the service record. We'd be more cautious about an unchecked 2019-2021 without that paper trail.
Years to approach carefully: The 2019-2022 Outlander Sport with an unverified CVT history is the obvious one to vet thoroughly. Not a reason to walk away, just a reason to verify.
Which One Should You Actually Pick?
Pick the Kia Soul if you're a Bay County commuter, a Frank Brown Park family running kids to weekend tournaments, or anyone who logs meaningful miles and wants the lower fuel cost and roomier cargo floor. A practical, efficient, comfortable daily. Our team genuinely likes the third-gen Soul for buyers who want reliability and usability without the AWD premium.
Pick the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if AWD matters to you specifically. That's it. It's not a comfortable highway cruiser, and it won't beat the Soul on MPG or cargo. But if you want grip in wet conditions or the security of an all-wheel-drive platform, it's the only one of these two that delivers it. A verified, post-recall 2023 example is a solid used pick.
Our honest takeaway is simple. For most Bay County buyers the Soul does more of what daily life requires, while the Outlander Sport fills a specific niche. Figure out which buyer you are before you start shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Kia Soul come in AWD?
No. The Kia Soul has been front-wheel drive only across every trim level and every model year. There is no AWD option available on any Soul, new or used. If all-wheel drive is a requirement for you, the Soul is not the right vehicle.
What should I check on a used 2019-2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport before buying?
The most important thing to confirm is whether the CVT software recall (NHTSA campaign ID 22V563000) has been completed. This recall covered approximately 76,500 vehicles from model years 2019 through 2022. The fix is a CVT-ECU software update that dealers apply at no charge. Ask for the vehicle's service history and look for documentation of that update. If it isn't there, the repair should be completed before the vehicle changes hands.