The Kia Soul is often seen as an unremarkable vehicle, much like the Scion xB that preceded it. Initially aimed at younger drivers with its hip, quirky design, it quickly became popular among older generations due to its ease of entry and exit; many might even refer to it as “cute.” This car is so prevalent that it tends to blend into the background, despite being one of the few boxy cars still on the road. So, it came as a surprise when the Kia Soul began trending on Twitter.
Jackson Vose tweeted a screenshot of the Kia Soul trending with the comment, “you never thought the Kia Soul would be the main character.”
The Soul’s typical invisibility may have been at the heart of its sudden popularity. Many drivers only notice Kia Souls when their poor driving or parking skills affect their day. One particularly viral tweet captured this sentiment perfectly: “Thinking you found a parking spot and then boom. Kia fucking soul,” tweeted @tiffohsnapp.
It was clear that this Twitter phenomenon wasn’t initiated by Kia’s marketing team.
Tiff’s tweet has garnered over 30,500 shares, addressing a common and relatable issue. Hidden “dammit cars”—those that occupy perfect parking spots—have been a longstanding joke in driving circles. As small cars become increasingly rare in the U.S., the Kia Soul stands out as an easy target for this kind of humor.
The Soul is widely recognized, making it easy for many to share their opinions about it. Most people probably know at least one Kia Soul owner. Even though it’s a practical car with decent power and ample space, Twitter users have humorously branded it as a vehicle that reflects a specific type of “non-car-person” vibe. Some purchase the Soul to express their individuality (just like many others), while others appreciate its cuteness or the comfort it provides for those with mobility issues.
As is often the case with common vehicles, many people’s experiences with the Kia Soul involve less-than-expert drivers behind the wheel—along with memories of those iconic hamster commercials. Poor Kia Soul, what did it do to deserve this much criticism?
Today, the negativity surrounding the Kia Soul peaked to the point that Twitter officially categorized it as a trending topic, describing it as “People are sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of driving a Kia Soul.”
In response, many defenders of the Soul took to Twitter to counter the criticism. Some users praised its safety features, while others defended the whimsical “Hamstars” from the commercials. Others pointed out cars they disliked more. Others simply hit back at the critics—sometimes humorously with photoshopped images of a gun-toting Mariah Carey.
According to some Soul enthusiasts, this compact and practical car is perfect for taking friends out for an evening at Gapplebee’s.
This isn’t the first time a widely accepted vehicle has faced scrutiny or ridicule online, nor is it the first time the Kia Soul has been mocked on social media platforms.
Car Bibles writer Kevin Williams noted that TikTok users often love to poke fun at everyday vehicles, including the Kia Soul. Some of the best jokes about the Kia Soul on Twitter originated from TikTok, where a dedicated Kia Soul Hatred account has amassed over 29,000 followers.
Williams argued that people don’t necessarily harbor negative feelings towards the Soul, but the humor surrounding it is simply entertaining.
The online obsession with the Kia Soul has persisted for months, garnering millions of views on TikTok videos. Even TikTok itself celebrated a humorous video featuring the Soul’s hamsters in January.
For a light-hearted laugh, take a look at the #kiasoul tag on TikTok. Even as someone who doesn’t mind these vehicles, I’m amused by the disdain they attract.
The Kia Soul isn’t the only commonly accepted vehicle that has been targeted by jokes on TikTok. A hilarious Ford Escape account continually mocks its arch-nemesis, the Chevy Equinox. Nissan also went viral with content criticizing its failing CVTs, and there’s even a Dodge salesman poking fun at his own inventory.
Ultimately, this trend shows that we could all use a little levity. The banter from both Kia Soul fans and critics provided plenty of laughs, and if you enjoy your car, celebrate it without hesitation.
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