Kia Soul EV
The original Kia Soul EV is Kia's first production electric vehicle and was released with a market-first seven-year warranty.
The 109bhp electric motor provides a 0-60mph time of 10.8sec and a top speed of 90mph. The 27kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack can take up to 13 hours to charge from a UK domestic socket, Kia supplied owners with a wallbox charger to at least halve that time. A fast-charging socket can also deliver an 80 per cent charge in just over half an hour.
Kia's engineers also developed a low-energy heating and ventilations system which can be restricted to just the driver, saving energy. The combination of the polymer battery cells and the new heating system stretches the potential driving range out to 132 miles.
Reviewers have confirmed that the Kia Soul EV delivers smooth performance and a quiet cabin, the trademark qualities of modern electric cars.
Launched in 2019, the latest Kia Soul EV (also known as the e-Soul) brings long-range, zero-emissions power to the urban crossover class. In its third generation, customers have a choice of two zero-emissions, energy efficient powertrains - standard-range (39.2 kWh) and a long range long-range (64 kWh) with the latter offering up to 280 miles on a single charge and 0-60 mph in just 7.9 seconds. Kia also confirm that the battery has 25% greater cell-energy density courtesy of new-generation battery chemistry.
The Kia Soul EV / e-Soul offers a roomy interior for five occupants, and high levels of space and versatility. Like all Kia models, the Kia Soul EV / e-Soul is sold with Kia's 7-Year, 100,000 mile warranty, which also covers the car’s electric motor and battery pack.
Every exterior panel on the steel/aluminium bodied Kia Soul EV / e-Soul is new and it has been enhanced with full-LED headlamps integrated into the upper ‘brow’. The charging socket is housed behind a small panel at the front of the car and strake-style LED fog lamps beneath the headlights replace the round lamps found on the previous Soul EV. The latest Kia Soul EV / e-Soul is 55 mm longer than the car it replaces and is finished with a unique five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheel design. The updated Kia Soul EV / e-Soul is available in a choice of seven single-tone paint finishes and seven two-tone combinations with an optional SUV Pack, which elevates the design of the Kia Soul EV / e-Soul with the addition of bolder wheel arch and side sill cladding, as well as a skid plate on the base of the front bumpers.
Inside, the Kia Soul EV / e-Soul's cabin can be finished in a range of single- or two-tone colour schemes, with a choice of fabric and synthetic or real leather. The cabin is fitted with an optional Sound Mood Lighting system andis also available with a wireless phone charger at the base of the dashboard, heated and ventilated front seats, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. Kia has also included its UVO CONNECT ‘connected car’ telematics system. A large touchscreen navigation system comes as standard and efficiency is improved by regenerative braking as well as the ability to select ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’, Eco+’ and ‘Sport’ driving modes.
A range of passive and active safety systems ensure that occupants remain as well protected as possible on every journey.