Zapmap verdict: ”An excellent range, surprising practicality and striking styling help make the Kia Soul EV a real contender.”
- ● OTR: £34,295
- ● Category: Crossover
- ● Tax: £0 VED – 0% BIK
- ● Cost to charge: £10.25
- ● Emissions: 0 g/km CO2
- ● Cost per mile of range: £122
Kia Soul EV: Range & charging
Kia is one of the few manufacturers that has a second-generation electric vehicle on sale with the Soul EV. This version gets the same battery and electric motor as the successful e-Niro, meaning it has a long driving range and ultra-rapid charging capabilities.
There is one configuration available:
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- ● Kia Soul EV – 150 kW – 64 kWh – 280 miles
Range
The official WLTP driving range for the Kia Soul EV is 280 miles on a charge, which puts it towards the top of the table for mass-market EVs. In fact, the only car in its class that can compete is the Kona Electric – made by Kia sister firm Hyundai.
When driving in the real world, that quoted range holds up very well. Even at motorway speeds and with a fully loaded car, the Kia Soul EV can cover 230 miles on a charge, and that’s a situation which is not ideal for electric vehicles. In more normal driving conditions – a mix of fast, country and urban routes – the Soul EV averages closer to 250-260 miles on a charge, and easily gets closer to its official figure when kept to town work.
Braking
There are a variety of ways to feature brake energy recuperation on an EV, but the Kia’s set up is one of the best. It allows drivers to toggle up and down four levels of regen, from almost coasting to strong braking feel. There’s also a bonus feature where it will come to a complete stop when holding the left hand paddle, meaning drivers can cover most of their route driving on one pedal. It allows for an extremely efficient driving experience.
Charging
Kia has fitted a 7.4 kW AC on-board charger to the Soul EV, which will deal with most home and public points at full speed. On DC chargers, the CCS inlet will take up to 100 kW from ultra-rapid units, allowing for a charge to 80% in under an hour. A full charge on a 7 kW unit will take around nine and a half hours. The inlet is conveniently located behind a flap on the front of the car, making it easy for drivers to connect up even short tethered cables.
The Kia Soul EV on the road
A 150 kW electric motor deals with the performance aspects of the Kia, which allows for a sub-eight seconds 0-62mph time. It’s as responsive as you would expect from such a motor, and the performance on offer is more than enough for most buyers.
What’s the Kia Soul EV like to drive?
The Kia Soul EV is surprisingly refined on the motorway, considering its boxy shape and short wheelbase. However, it’s on twistier roads and in town that it excels. The suspension is supple enough to keep things comfortable, but stiff enough to keep body control in check. As such, the Kia Soul EV proves a versatile and easy-to-drive EV.
Kia Soul EV: Comfort & Practicality
An evolution of the Soul design – which can easily be traced back to the first generation model in 2008, through to this fourth-gen Soul (second-gen Soul EV) – means the boxy shape remains, but it’s more grown up, moodier and more striking than before. The shape is key, since it means that the Kia remains a practical car at heart.
Design and functionality
The square shape means there’s a very good amount of space inside for occupants. Four adults can fit in the Kia Soul EV comfortably, and it will deal with daily life as a family workhorse easily. The boot space is decent for its size – middle of the road, really – but is more practical than most because of the flat hatchback shape of the rear door.
Kia Soul EV: Tech & Specifications
There’s one trim level available from launch – First Edition – which makes picking a model easy. It comes well stocked, with a range of important features included as standard.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system with BlueLink and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Head-up display
- 17-inch alloys
- Rear parking sensors & parking camera
- Keyless entry and start
- Variable brake energy recuperation
- LED headlights
- Wireless phone charger
Is the Kia Soul EV a good car?
Kia’s Soul EV is an excellent EV. With a range closer to 300 miles on a charge than 200, and space for a family to use the Kia as a daily driver, the Soul EV makes quite a case for itself. A superb warranty, quick recharging times, long driving range and plenty of style mean the Kia Soul EV is a tough car to ignore.
And how much is the road tax on a Kia Soul EV? Use our Car Tax Calculator to find out.
The Kia Soul EV’s rivals
Hyundai Kona Electric The Kia Soul EV’s closest rival. A longer driving range, but less practical interior and boot make it a close call.
Peugeot e-2008 Similar levels of practicality from Peugeot, and same quick recharging times. Can’t match Kia’s range though.
Mazda MX-30 Much shorter range than the Soul EV, but the Mazda MX-30 is all about driving enjoyment and style.
All information above correct at time of publication. Official economy figures, pricing, and tax rates supplied by the manufacturer. Cost to charge based on 0-100% charge at home on a tariff of 16 p/kWh.
