Kia Soul vs MG MG3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Kia Soul
Price TBC
Hatchback
Petrol
In-line 4 cyl DOHC D-CVVT 16-valve petrol
95kW
6.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
340L
MG MG3
From $20,990
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
81kW
6 L/100km
4★ ANCAP
293L
Kia Soul: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h, transmission, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 2 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
The Kia Soul holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the MG MG3.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on the MG MG3, against 0 on the Kia Soul.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The MG MG3 counters with Apple CarPlay and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Kia Soul uses a In-line 4 cyl DOHC D-CVVT 16-valve petrol producing 95kW and 157Nm of torque, sent through its transmission to a FWD layout.
The MG MG3 responds with a Petrol making 81kW and 142Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.8 seconds.
The Kia Soul has the clear power advantage at 95kW vs 81kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia Soul measures 4,105mm long on a 2,550mm wheelbase, 8mm shorter than the MG MG3 at 4,113mm (2,570mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG MG3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 340L in the Kia Soul and 293L in the MG MG3, giving the Kia Soul a 47L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m diameter
Good
Based on 10.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Clears the U-turn in one swing
Needs about 9.0 m of road; you have 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the Kia Soul and $1,710/year for the MG MG3. That is a $143 annual difference in favour of the MG MG3.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Kia Soul) vs 10 years / 250,000km (MG MG3). The MG MG3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Soul if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MG MG3 if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Soul takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The MG MG3 will save you roughly $143 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Soul has a clear edge. The MG MG3 adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Soul and MG MG3?
The MG MG3 is the cheapest at $20,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MG MG3 uses the least fuel at 6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Kia Soul has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Soul has the largest boot at 340L.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG MG3 has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Soul makes the most power at 95kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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