Kia Soul EV Review 2024
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Kia Soul EV At A Glance
280-mile range is impressive. Spacious cabin. Long warranty.
Bold looks won't be for everyone. Interior could be plusher. Cheaper electric cars are available.
Kia and sister brand Hyundai have form with electric cars. The Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric are two of the most in-demand EVs thanks to their long ranges (up to 280 miles) and relatively affordable price tags. The Soul EV takes the same approach and offers a city-friendly compact size allied to good road manners when you head further afield. Read on for our full review of the Kia Soul EV.
So confident is Kia that electric cars are the future, the Soul is now sold exclusively as an electric vehicle. It uses the same 204PS electric motor and 64kWh battery pack as the Kia Niro EV, travelling 280 miles from a charge, or you can choose the 39kWh version with a range of 171 miles. While other recent electric cars like the Honda-e and MINI Electric will struggle to cover more than 100 miles between top-ups, the Soul's range makes it a realistic proposition for all but the most high-mileage of drivers.
It's also useable in terms of space. This isn't a small electric city car, it's a family car that could replace a Ford Focus or even a Nissan Qashqai on your driveway. The Soul's boxy dimensions means there's comfortably space for a pair of adults in the rear, although the 315-litre boot is a little disappointing compared to the e-Niro's 451 litres.
While the interior is functional, it's not particularly interesting. There are lots of dark, drab colours and lots of buttons dotted around the dash, although the standard 10.25-inch navigation system is clear and easy to use.
Priced from around £33,000, the biggest issue the Kia Soul faces is whether people can justify spending that kind of money on a small electric car. But it's not something that's hampered sales of the e-Niro or the likes of the Peugeot e-208, and when you start to factor fuel savings into monthly payments it can make a lot of sense.
Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Kia Soul EV review.
Reviews for Kia Soul EV's top 3 rivals
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Kia Soul EV handling and engines
Kia Soul EV 2024: Handling and ride quality
Try to tackle a twisty road at speed and you'll find that the Soul EV isn't as agile as petrol alternatives like the SEAT Arona and Ford Puma, but it remains fairly composed with only a bit of lean in the bends. But that's not what this car is about.
The Soul EV concentrates on delivering an unflustered, quiet drive, and it does it very well. Not only because the electric drivetrain keeps noise down, but because the car is happy to cruise along and demand little of the driver.
Kia Soul EV 2024: Engines
With 204PS, no Kia Soul EV driver is going to find themselves wishing it had more power in the Explore model. Hit the accelerator and it'll surge forwards instantly - as with any other electric car, all of the torque is available as soon as you ask for it. There's no waiting for the automatic gearbox to drop a few cogs or patiently waiting for the revs to build, it just goes.
With all that power going through the front wheels alone, it is quite easy to overwhelm the front wheels. That means you'll get the traction control light flickering if you're heavy with the throttle from a standstill, particularly in wet conditions. But you soon learn to drive within the Soul's limits - and a little bit of wheelspin through the front wheels isn't too disconcerting.
If you don't need the oomph or contain your trips within town, the 39kW version of the Soul EV is just fine. It's a couple of seconds slower at covering 0-62mph, but still has a good dose of instant get-up-and-go away from the lights.
Officially the Soul EV Explore can cover 280 miles between charges, while the Urban manages a WLTP driving range of 171 miles. We're yet to spend a lengthy period of time with it to see how that translates in the real world, but it's fair to say you should see comfortably over 200 miles with the bigger battery even with some brisk acceleration and use of the heated seats and headlights.
Charging is simple, using a socket located behind a panel at the front of the car. An 100kW DC charger will top up the Soul's battery from 20 to 80 per cent in less than 45 minutes, while a 7.2kW home wallbox will take around 9.5 hours to provide a full charge. You won't want to charge it using a three-pin plug regularly, though, as that'll take a lengthy 31 hours.
Kia Soul EV 2024: Safety
Every Kia Soul EV comes with twin front, side and curtain airbags, as well as a knee airbag for the driver. You also get Isofix child seat fixings in the two outer rear seats.
The Urban model has all the essentials such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, high beam assist, driver attention monitoring, and a tyre pressure sensing system.
Go for the Explore and you get the additional help of blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning to let you know if vehicles are approaching from the side as you pull out of a junction.
The Kia Soul EV is yet to be tested by Euro NCAP.
Kia Soul EV 2024: Towing
Forget it is the short answer here. Kia doesn't even quote a figure for an unbraked trailer, so you won't be able to tow with the Soul EV.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64kWh | - | 7.6 s | - |
Kia Soul EV interior
- Boot space is 315–1339 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of four stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4195 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1605 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
Kia Soul EV 2024: Practicality
Getting comfortable in the driver's seat is easy, thanks to eight-way power adjustment with the upright, high driving position that many people want in a small SUV.
There's plenty of room in the rear, too, although the 315-litre boot means you'll have to pack light if you're going away for a family holiday.
The rear seats do drop 60:40 if you need more space, while two sets of Isofix child seat tethers are fitted in the back.
Kia Soul EV 2024: Quality and finish
The first thing you'll notice about the Soul's interior is how spacious it is. There is a huge amount of headroom, even in the rear, thanks to its boxy dimensions.
The second thing you'll notice, unfortunately, is its lack of soul. It's just not as bright and cheery as you'd expect from the car's exterior, with lots of dark materials and drab plastics. There are also buttons everywhere, although that just hints at the Soul's high level of standard equipment.
To keep things simple, Kia includes a lot of standard kit in both versions, which helps to soothe the substantial price of this small car.
Kia Soul EV 2024: Infotainment
What size of infotainment screen you get with your Kia Soul EV depends on the size of the battery. With the 39kWh Urban model, you get an 8-inch colour touchscreen that can be connected to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This is also used as the screen for the reversing camera that is standard in all Soul EVs.
Op for the Explore with its larger 62kWh battery and you enjoy the bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen that has all the same functionality as its smaller sibling with a clearer display and quicker response.
All Soul EVs come with a 7-inch information display in the main dial cluster.
Kia Soul EV value for money
Kia Soul EV 2024: Prices
There is a simple choice between the Urban model with its smaller 39kWh battery and 171-mile range that costs from £32,845, and the Explore model. This second version uses a 62kWh battery to give a range of up to 280 miles and it costs from £39,045.
If you go down the used route, a two-year old Soul EV will cost from around £23,000. The previous generation Soul EV can be found for around £11,000 for a seven-year old model with average miles on the clock.
Kia offers several finance packages to fund a Soul EV either to buy outright or lease over an agreed duration.
Kia Soul EV 2024: Running Costs
Keeping a Kia Soul EV on the road will not be a drain on your finances. Insurance ranges between groups 26 and 31, and there's no road tax to pay in the first year thanks to the car's zero tailpipe emissions. This also means a Benefit in Kind rating of 2% for business users, and you won't have to pay to drive in the increasing number of Low Emissions Zones in towns and cities.
The lower power Soul EV can cover up to 171 miles on a charge, while the model with the bigger battery can offer up to 280 miles. Recharging a Soul EV from 10- to 80% charge should take about an hour at a 50kW public charge station.
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The Kia Soul EV range is pleasingly simple – you have the Urban with the smaller 39kW battery and the Explore with bigger 62kW battery. There are some other differences apart from battery capacity, however.
The Urban comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, auto headlights, and heated door mirrors. Inside, there’s cloth upholstery and manual driver’s seat height adjust, along with the 8-inch infotainment screen that doubles as a reversing camera.
Take the Explore model instead and you gain roof rails, rear privacy glass, and rain-sensitive wipers. Also included are heated front seats and steering wheel, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, upgraded safety tech, and the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4195 mm |
| Width | - |
| Height | 1605 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1610–1758 kg |
| Boot Space | 315–1339 L |
| Warranty | 7 years / 100000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £32,790–£38,990 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | Exempt |
| Official MPG | - |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 4 |
Currently on sale
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Explore 201 Electric 64kWh Auto 5dr | £38,990 | - | - |
| Urban 134 Electric 39.2kWh Auto 5dr | £32,790 | - | - |
On sale until April 2023
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Maxx 201 Electric 64kWh Auto 5dr | £34,295 | - | 7.6 s |
On sale until December 2021
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| EV 201BHP First Edition 64KWH A 5dr | - | - | - |
Model History
- February 2019: Kia Soul EV announced ahead of European debut at Geneva
- July 2019: Kia Soul EV priced from £33,795
- August 2021: Kia Soul EV Maxx replaces First Edition trim level
- October 2022: Updated Kia Soul EV priced from £32,795
February 2019
Kia Soul EV announced ahead of European debut at Geneva
All-new Kia Soul will be sold exclusively as an electric model from 2019. Drivers have a choice of long-range (64 kWh) and standard-range (39.2 kWh) powertrains.
The long-range 64 kWh battery pack is paired with a 150 kW (204PS) electric motor, enabling the Soul EV to travel up to 280 miles on a single charge (on the WLTP combined cycle).
With the powertrain’s maximum 395 Nm torque available from a standstill, and 84 per cent more power than the car it replaces, the long-range 64 kWh Soul EV will accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds.
The standard-range 39.2 kWh battery pack powers an efficient 100 kW (136PS) electric motor. With peak torque of 395Nm, and 23 per cent more power than the outgoing Soul EV, the significantly improved efficiency of the battery nevertheless enables the standard-range Soul EV to travel up to 172 miles on a single charge.
It has a vibrant interior inspired, Kia says, by music - with signature 'tweeter' speakers bookending the dashboard.
The new Kia Soul EV is built in Korea and will go on sale in the UK in the UK in spring 2019. Prices are yet to be confirmed.
July 2019
Kia Soul EV priced from £33,795
Orders for the Kia Soul EV ‘First Edition’ are being opened sufficiently early so that demand can be judged to ensure that the appropriate supply is requested.
The Soul EV will be offered in one highly specified grade called ‘First Edition’ and is priced at £37,295, or £33,795 with the Plug-in Car Grant subsidy deducted. The first examples of the Soul EV ‘First Edition’ are scheduled to reach UK dealers during Q1 2020.
With the new generation Soul, Kia has taken the decision not to import the internal combustion engine versions, and instead concentrate on the highly commended pure electric drivetrain.
In its third generation, the all-new Kia Soul EV will be powered by a 64kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers a range of 280 miles from one charge.
It has a Type 2 charging inlet which allows the 64kWh battery to be fully charged in 9 hours and 35 minutes. Additionally, with CCS Combo charging, the Soul EV can be charged even quicker, achieving up to 80 per cent charge in 1 hour and 15 minutes with a 50kW DC Rapid Charging Station. A three-pin cable and Type 2 connection will be provided with the car.
The new Soul EV features the same iconic silhouette, with newly sculpted lines, sharper details, and more technical lighting elements. There are restyled front and rear bumpers, for a smoother, more aerodynamic appearance. In place of the conventional Soul’s front grille, there’s a solid insert, with a door housing the charging socket conveniently located on the driver’s side. The Soul EV’s unique LED headlamps are strikingly integrated into the upper ‘brow’ of the front of the car, which itself extends the full width of the car for a wide, stable appearance. The EV’s ‘face’ is completed with unique front LED fog lamps and a unique five-spoke design for the 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the cabin is more high-tech than ever, with its cool design and ultimate functionality accompanied by acoustic-inspired shapes and textures. The Soul EV is offered with a range of technologies which includes a wireless smartphone charger, a customiseable head-up display, and a 10-speaker, 640-watt, premium Harman/Kardon ® sound system. It retains the signature ‘tweeter’ speakers which bookend the dashboard, a feature of the previous-generation Soul which exemplified the car’s combination of interesting design and functionality.
At the heart of the Soul EV’s dashboard is Kia’s new 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen system, featuring the new UVO CONNECT telematics system. New functions include a split screen mode, home screen customization, Bluetooth® multi-connection and user profiles. UVO CONNECT puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability. For the Soul EV, UVO CONNECT also provides vehicle charging information, including charging station locations, charger availability, and connection compatibility. The system can also be accessed via a UVO smartphone app, providing remote access to a range of vehicle functions, including at-a-glance overview of key elements of the car, including doors, locks, battery and charge status. The last known location of the vehicle can be viewed, and a monthly summary of the car’s usage. Diagnosis alerts are shared with the smartphone user, keeping them informed of the current status of the car, with notifications automatically sent whenever an event is detected in the car.
Dual full-LED headlamps are flanked by LED daytime running lights, while at the rear, the LED theme continues with combination lighting. Privacy glass is fitted to the rear windows and tailgate, and roof rails accentuate the Soul’s lifestyle remit. Unique five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels complete the distinctive exterior look.
Black leather upholstery is included as standard and the driver’s seat features eight-way electric adjustment, including sliding, reclining, height adjustment and lumbar support. Both the front seats and steering wheel are heated, and the regenerative braking level is taken care of by the paddleshift mounted on the leather trimmed steering wheel. An electric parking brake is included for the first time on the centre console, while climate control and Adaptive Smart Control Function (SCC) are both included as standard. An engine start/stop button is provided for convenience, together with a Smart Entry System.
A head-up display means drivers can keep their eyes on the road ahead, and this is combined with a 7-inch OLED colour display cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen Satellite Navigation system with European mapping and Traffic Messaging Control (TMC). DAB radio with MP3 compatibility is included, along with Bluetooth ® with music streaming, Apple CarPlay TM and Android Auto TM , both with voice control. A wireless mobile phone charger is provided on the centre console, a reversing camera system is integrated into the touchscreen and rear parking sensors are included, too. Completing the repertoire is a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon® premium sound system with 640-watt subwoofer, external amplifier and front centre speaker.
Safety is very important, with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Lane Follow Assist (LFA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) fitted as standard. This is in addition to an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS).
Three exterior colour schemes are available on the all-new Soul EV, with a choice of Neptune Blue with Black roof, Clear White with Red roof or Quartz Black with Red roof. The cost of the premium paint is included within the price of the Soul EV ‘First Edition’.
In keeping with every Kia, the all-new Soul EV ‘First Edition’ comes with the company’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, subject to certain wear and tear conditions. The warranty is fully transferable should the car be sold before the time or mileage limits have been reached.
August 2021
Kia Soul EV Maxx replaces First Edition trim level
Kia UK has today introduced the Soul EV ‘Maxx’, replacing the existing ‘First Edition’ variant in the UK line-up that has been available since the car’s launch.
Available for customers to order now, the Soul EV ‘Maxx’ is available from £34,945 on-the-road, making it eligible for the UK Government’s £2,500 Plug-in Car Grant. This reduces the price that customers pay to £32,445.
Retaining the same funky and distinctive design of the existing ‘First Edition’ launch model, the ‘Maxx’ features the new Kia logo inside and out. Its comprehensive standard equipment includes 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, black leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™.
The ‘Maxx’ also receives two new metallic paint colour options: single-tone Snow White Pearl (as standard) and a new two-tone Inferno Red body with Black roof (optional, priced at £575). Two existing two-tone premium paint options are also available: Quartz Black with Red and Neptune Blue with Black.
The Soul EV ‘Maxx’ embraces the iconic design and playful character of its predecessors, and features the same long-range 64kWh lithium-ion battery pack as before, delivering an impressive range of 280 miles on a single charge (WLTP, combined).
The Soul EV remains a popular choice with EV buyers, with more than 900 sold in the UK so far in 2021. It is one of two fully electric models offered by Kia UK, alongside the popular e-Niro electric crossover. The Soul EV and e-Niro will be joined later in 2021 by the Kia EV6.
First customer deliveries of the Soul EV ‘Maxx’ are expected in autumn 2021. As with all Kia models, the Soul EV ‘Maxx’ will benefit from Kia’s industry-leading 7-year/100,000 mile warranty.
October 2022
Updated Kia Soul EV priced from £32,795
Kia has revealed UK pricing and specifications for the 2023 model year Soul EV line-up, as order books open for the newly upgraded model.
A new ‘Urban’ specification joins the ‘Explore’ grade to offer buyers a fresh choice of highly equipped, distinctively styled models, including a new ‘medium-range’ battery for the first time.
UK customer deliveries for the new Soul EV models commence during Q4 2022, with prices starting at £32,795 for the ‘Urban’ grade with ‘medium range’ battery pack, with ‘Explore’ specification fitted with the ‘long range’ battery pack costing £38,995.
For the first time in the UK, Kia is offering a 39.2kWh battery pack in the Soul EV ‘Urban’, with a maximum (WLTP Combined) range of 171 miles, or up to 252 miles in a city setting. It can take just 54 minutes to recharge the battery pack from 0-80 per cent using an 80kW rapid charger, while a 7.2kW home charger will replenish the battery from 0-100 per cent in 6 hours and 10 minutes. For owners without a dedicated home charger, a domestic plug socket can recharge the Soul EV from 0-100 per cent in 18 hours. The car is powered by a 100kW (134bhp) electric motor, producing a maximum torque of 395Nm. The ‘Urban’ model is mated to a single-speed automatic transmission and can achieve a top speed of 97mph, with a 0-62mph acceleration figure of 9.9 seconds.
The anticipated best-seller in the line-up is the 64kWh ‘Explore’ grade, featuring SUV-inspired design cues. With a (WLTP Combined) driving range of 280 miles, up to 402 miles is possible when driven in the city, making the best use of the Soul EV’s flexible regenerative braking system that can be altered using the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. By visiting an 80kW rapid charger, the Soul EV ‘Explore’ can be recharged 0-80 per cent in the same 54 minutes as the ‘Urban’ model, despite the battery being 63 per cent larger. Plug in the ‘Explore’ at home with a 7.2kW charger and the battery can be easily replenished overnight from 0-100 per cent in 9 hours and 35 minutes, while a domestic charger will take 29 hours to recharge 0-100 per cent. This grade is powered by a 150kW (201bhp) electric motor with a maximum torque of 395Nm, enabling a top speed of 104mph, with a 7.9 second acceleration dash from 0-62mph.
For the first time, the Soul EV is offered with a two-version model line-up, with ‘Urban’ specification equipped with the 39.2kWh ‘medium range’ battery, and ‘Explore’ specification equipped with a 64kWh ‘long range’ battery.
The generously equipped two-tier range starts with the new ‘Urban’ grade, priced from £32,795. The more affordable ‘medium range’ model is perfect for shorter commutes, is lower in weight and has a WLTP combined driving range of 171 miles. The specification includes:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Dual full LED headlamps
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™, and 7.0-inch OLED colour driver instrument cluster
- All-round electric windows with front auto up-and-down function
- Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with LED indicators
- Automatic headlight control
- Reversing camera system
- USB-A sockets in the front cabin, and two USB-C sockets in the rear
- Engine Start/Stop button with Smart Entry System
- Automatic air conditioning
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with city, pedestrian, cyclist recognition and junction turning
- Seven airbags
- ISOFIX Child Seat Top Tethers and Anchor Fixings
- Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) and Lane Follow Assist (LFA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Drive Mode Select – three settings
- Cloth upholstery
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Adaptive Smart Cruise Control Function (SCC)
The ‘Explore’ grade, priced from £38,995, replaces the previous ‘Maxx’ model and is the new flagship, high specification, version of the Soul EV. With 201bhp on tap, it’s strong on performance, yet is capable of travelling up to 280 miles (WLTP Combined) on a single charge. It features SUV-inspired design cues and adds the following equipment over the ‘Urban’ grade:
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system
- Free seven-year Kia Connect connectivity services
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Rear parking sensors
- Black leather upholstery
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Power driver seat adjustment
- Leather steering wheel
- Satin chrome interior door handles
- Privacy glass
- Rain sensing front wipers
- SUV pack
- Roof rails
- Blind-spot Collision Warning (BCW)
- Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
- Rear-Cross Traffic Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
The Soul EV has always been offered with a selection of eye-catching colour options, and these latest models are no different. ‘Urban’ models come with a mono-tone livery as standard, with the option of metallic paint, with ‘Explore’ editions available with optional two-tone metallic paint.
‘Mars Orange’ paintwork comes as standard on both ‘Urban’ and ‘Explore’ models, with four other premium metallic hues on offer for £595 on the ‘Urban’ edition, which includes ‘Inferno Red’, ‘Neptune Blue’ ‘Snow White Pearl’ and ‘Fusion Black’. On ‘Explore’ models, ‘Inferno Red’ and ‘Neptune Blue’ colours feature a ‘Fusion Black’ roof, while ‘Snow White Pearl’ and ‘Fusion Black’ editions have an ‘Inferno Red’ roof. The premium two-tone paint costs £745.
