2018 Kia Soul vs 2018 Mazda Mazda3
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2018 Kia
Soul
5/10
Great cheap-transportation shape and personality, undercut by an engine family Kia itself has admitted burns oil until it dies.
VS
2018 Mazda
Mazda3
8/10
A Miata in a hatchback suit — buy the 2.5L, avoid the cracked screen, and enjoy one of the last genuinely fun economy cars.
Milo scores the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 higher — 8/10 against 5/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Kia Soul |
Mazda Mazda3 |
| Known failure points | 5 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 213 | 107 |
| Safety recalls | 1 | 4 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 48 | 78 |
| Cheap to own | 55 | 80 |
| Fun factor | 58 | 85 |
| Holds value | 40 | 70 |
| Enthusiast cred | 35 | 72 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2018 Kia Soul
2.0L GDI (Nu) excessive oil consumption — engine burns 1+ quart every 1,000 miles or less with no visible leak, eventually causing spun bearings, misfire, or complete engine seizure
$0–$6,50040k–90k mi
2018 Mazda Mazda3
Mazda Connect infotainment screen cracking / 'ghost touch' malfunctioning
$500–$1,20020k–50k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2018 Kia Soul
A 2018 Soul '!' (Exclaim) or '! Special Edition' trim with the 1.6L turbo engine and 7-speed DCT — completely sidesteps the 2.0L oil consumption saga and is genuinely fun to drive.
✅ 2018 Mazda Mazda3
2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring hatchback, 2.5L engine, 6-speed manual — the sweet spot of power, chassis feel, and features.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.