Video: 2009 Kia Soul vs. 2009 Nissan Cube

Now we're gonna compare the Cube and the Soul on some key features to see which one is right for you. For interior in the Soul. There's a fairly plasty you feel for the inside, but that's not bad or unusual on a car for this class. It's got a really nicely designed, a nicely integrated center stack. And in the glove box, there's a ton of space. Now in the center, there are spots for two different cup holders and there's more storage space. But when I don't like is that there's not support for my elbow here. In the Cube we find a common combination of the traditional and the unusual, first of all, the plastics are a little softer and nicer to the touch than in the Soul. The radio is kind of, you know, the same you find everywhere, but we have this nice sort of planet donut here in the center. The glove box is equally as large, and we find that we have cup holders in the front, but they also have these cup holders up here. Now these worry me a little bit. 'Cause if you have the wrong size container, you'll end up with your drink in your lap. Now, that being said, I think the interior quality, the feel of it in the Cube is much better than in the Soul. So this one is the winner. It's a little harder when we talk about the second row in the Soul, the sheet comes down nice and easy. Give me a flat load floor. And my knees is barely brushing in the front seat, but these seats don't recline and they don't move back and forth. What makes the Cube different is that it's got these strings that you can pull, that let you recline the sheets backwards or forwards. That's very nice. In addition, they've got the ability to move a whole row forward or back as you need. Unfortunately though, the seats don't lie flat, and don't make for a flat load floor. In this case, I think it's a tie. The Cube comes with a swing gate, which we're not really wild about. The second row seats though. Go down pretty easily, but they don't give you a clean, flat load for it. Now there's tons of cargo space in there, but you have to decide, do you need something flat or do you just need a lot of space. in the Soul you'll find that you can get a flat floor by logging the seats and you get this nice storage underneath that flat floor. But what makes the Soul, the winner in this category it's a lift gate the gets up and out of your way. You don't have to hold it open. You don't have to worry about traffic taking it off. Now the Cube is perhaps the most distinctive of all the boxy types of cars. It's got this very cool ripple effect in the ceiling of the car, on the speakers, even at the bottom of the cup holders. Now that being said, this car is a little too unique for me. When it comes to the Soul, I liked the styling a lot more. It's a lot more aggressive, a lot more contemporary looking and a lot less Japanese looking if you will. So for styling points, I give it to the Soul. So let's recap the Cube won for interior quality. They tied on the second row and it's space and it's usability. But the Soul for me was much better in terms of the styling and the cargo access to the back. So for me, I choose the Soul. Now for you, if you like seats that recline and move back and forth on the second row, you may choose the Cube. The cars are very similarly priced, only about 600 bucks between them. And I would look for incentives to see if you can even make a better deal. <v Narrator>For additional information on this car or any other go to cars.com and our blog kicking Tires.