The Ford EcoSport has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Soul doesn't offer knee airbags.

The EcoSport has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Soul doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

Both the EcoSport and the Soul have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford EcoSport is safer than the Kia Soul:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford EcoSport is safer than the Kia Soul:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The EcoSport's 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Soul runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EcoSport's warranty.

The EcoSport's 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 19 more horsepower (166 vs. 147) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (149 vs. 132) than the Soul's standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The EcoSport has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Soul doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the EcoSport's standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Soul:

For superior ride and handling, the Ford EcoSport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kia Soul has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The EcoSport has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the EcoSport flat and controlled during cornering. The Soul's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The EcoSport is 3.9 inches shorter than the Soul, making the EcoSport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the EcoSport uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Soul doesn't offer active grille shutters.

The EcoSport has .2 inches more front headroom and 1.8 inches more front legroom than the Soul.

The EcoSport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Soul has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the EcoSport uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Soul doesn't offer electronic trailer sway control.

The EcoSport's driver's power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Soul's power windows' switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don't have them with you, you can let yourself in using the EcoSport's available exterior PIN entry system. The Soul doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The EcoSport's power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Soul's power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The EcoSport's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Soul's manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The EcoSport SES/Titanium's standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

Consumer Reports rated the EcoSport's headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Soul's headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The EcoSport (except S) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Soul doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the EcoSport is less expensive to operate than the Soul because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the EcoSport than the Soul, including $133 less for a water pump, $61 less for a starter and $56 less for fuel injection.