Review | The first 200 miles with the Kia EV Soul via the Car Pervert
The next generation Kia EV Soul is turning heads in the U.K. with its nearly 300-mile battery pack and reduced price point. Also, a September preview of Plugged In is below.
Image Caption | Jonny Smith reviews the next-gen Kia EV Soul from the UK. Unfortunately, the more aggressive-styled Kia Soul update with 268 miles of range won’t be coming to the U.S. Can you say missed opportunity!
Right now, EV car sales in the U.S. are just over 2% of the total auto market, which includes trucks and SUVs. Many analysts point to the lack of electric car model diversity in the U.S. and they’re right. Up until last year, U.S. electric cars (pure EVs only) included sedans, compact vehicles and some rather pricey crossover SUVs that many consumers weren’t willing to spend a premium price on, such as the Chevy Bolt, Audi eTron (70,000 for 204 miles) or BMW i3.
The U.S. will have to suffer a little bit longer with EV model diversity as we wait for the Ford Mustang Mach-e (deliveries in 2020) and Rivian’s SUV (deliveries in 2021) but the U.K. market is now enjoying the next-gen Kia Soul 2020 and its 268 to 280-mile battery pack, according to the Car Pervert, Jonny Smith.
According to Smith, he enjoys the Soul’s 200-hp, nearly 300-mile range vehicle that’s $10,000 cheaper than the nearest Tesla in the UK.
Plus, Mrs. Car Pervert, also known as Chops Smith, provides a non-enthusiast perspective on daily driving with the EV. Below are some of the highlights of the 1st edition, Kia Soul.
Kia Soul EV, 1st Edition:
£34,295 (after £3000 gov grant)
100 kW Fast charging capability
Range: 280 miles (450km) WLTP
7-yr or 100,000 mile warranty
Elevated Driving position
Boot (Cargo) space: 315 litres (1339 litres with seats down)
Comments on the Kia Soul Review from other owners:
Got mine in January to replace a Leaf 40 and have never regretted it. My range anxiety has disappeared and to drive it’s a generation leap on the Leaf. I’m in Dublin and the car comes without the SUV pack which I prefer also. I’m usually getting around 480kms on a full charge even if I do check out the acceleration occasionally! Only thing I’m missing is the app which is only coming in now. Tell Chops to indicate when overtaking as that cancels LKA. Love the video and am looking forward to the next one. Your original appraisal vid of the car on FC pointed me to the car.....
Regarding KIA's Quality and service it has been great. I have a 2014 Soul + (111 miles). and live here in Yuma, AZ.. During the summer we reach temperatures of 110 degrees +. Never have I had any cooling problems. My car has had three cross country trips .West coast to East coast and back. (round trip average 7000 miles) and at speeds up to 85 miles per hour. Great long trip car. I now have over 75,000 miles which have been completely trouble free. I have replaced 1 battery and a one set of tires, every thing else is original. Your review was great! Keep up the good reporting.
What’s coming in September?
We have two guides coming in September that will be behind a pay wall and one is an EV Owner Checklist and the second will be what’s the difference between a pure EV and plug-in hybrid EV.
Plus, we will have a podcast interview with an EV owner that resides in the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountain Tesla YT Channel) and lives in an urban setting, too boot. Plus, we’ll talk to a dealer and get the inside scoop on what you should be asking.
Get Plugged In in September!