Vehicle guide
Car camping in a Kia Soul
Sleeps one inside - no tent needed. Here is the kit: $445, in stock on Amazon today.
The kit: 8 items, ~$445
Sized for a midsize SUV or wagon sleeping on the folded seats: no tent, the 52-quart family cooler and standard quad chairs. Amazon prices, checked daily. Affiliate links: we earn a commission on Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.
No tent in this kit: the Soul sleeps one on the folded seats. Two of you, or prefer a tent? Build the couple's tent kit.
Sleeping Bag
Kelty Cosmic 40°F Sleeping Bag
- Comfort to:
- 40°F
- Fill:
- Synthetic
~$80
Check price on AmazonSleeping Pad
Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad
- Warmth:
- Cool nights (R 4.4)
- Type:
- Inflatable
~$73
Check price on AmazonCooler
Coleman Classic 52-Quart Cooler
- Holds:
- 52 qt
- Keeps ice:
- 3 days
~$55
Check price on AmazonCamp Chair
Coleman Cooler Quad Chair
- Packs:
- Standard quad
- Supports:
- 325 lbs
- Seat:
- Padded
~$35 last checked Jan 30
Check price on AmazonCamp Lighting
Coleman 1000-Lumen LED Lantern (BatteryGuard)
- Brightness:
- 1000 lumens
~$43
Check price on AmazonHeadlamp
Lepro Rechargeable LED Headlamp
- Brightness:
- 300 lumens
- Power:
- Rechargeable
~$10
Check price on AmazonCamp Stove
Coleman Triton 2-Burner Propane Stove
- Burners:
- 2
- Fuel:
- Propane
~$84
Check price on AmazonCook Set
Fire-Maple Feast 12-Piece Camp Cookware Set
- Pieces:
- 12
- Surface:
- Steel
~$65
Check price on AmazonStock and prices checked daily (how we pick).
Not quite you? Change who is coming, the quality tier or the season - your Soul stays filled in.
Why the Soul changes the kit
About 62 cu ft with the seats down - a midsize SUV or wagon. So:
- No tent: you sleep on the folded seats, and the money goes to a better pad.
- Room for the 52-quart family cooler.
- Standard quad chairs, which pack to a 36-inch bag each.
About 62 cu ft with the seats down in a tall, square cargo area, so standard-size gear fits standing up. The floor is short: one adult sleeps diagonally with the front seat slid forward.
Sleeping inside the vehicle
With the rear seats folded, the Kia Soul gives you a usable flat platform. Most owners use a 2.5-inch self-inflating pad or a 4-inch air mattress on top of the cargo floor. If you camp in it often, a simple plywood-and-2x4 platform with drawers underneath turns the cargo area into a real bed plus dedicated gear storage. Crack the rear windows with rain deflectors and a 12V fan moves enough air to stop condensation overnight.
Two things this setup needs that the kit does not carry, because they are sized to the car: a 4-inch SUV air mattress for the cargo floor, and Kia Soul window rain guards so the windows can stay cracked in the rain. Both on Amazon.
Common questions
Is the Kia Soul good for car camping?
Yes. It is a midsize SUV or wagon, so a standard car-camping kit fits without a roof box. It sleeps one inside with the seats folded.
Can you sleep inside a Kia Soul?
With the rear seats folded, yes. The cargo area is long enough for a sleeping pad and most adults can stretch out diagonally if not straight. A simple plywood platform turns it into a real bed with under-storage.
What gear should I pack?
The kit above: no tent, the 52-quart family cooler and standard quad chairs. Change the group, budget or season and it rebuilds.