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Kia Soul EV Overview

Introduction

The Kia Soul EV is a small electric crossover aimed at people who want a practical zero-emissions vehicle. Kia launched the Soul EV for 2015, making it a brand new vehicle. 
Competing models include the Fiat 500e, Chevrolet Spark EV, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, and Mitsubishi iMiEV.

Styles and Pricing

Kia makes the Soul EV in a base and + trim levels. It comes well-equipped with standard features like dual charging points (including DC fast charging), push-button start and smart key, climate scheduling, individual climate controls, 3.5-inch digital gauge cluster, LED lights, solar control glass, 16-inch alloy wheels, rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, USB jack, cruise control, bio fabric upholstery, 60/40 split folding rear seats, and a sound system with six speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio.
Going with the + adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, parking assist with front and rear sensors, power folding side mirrors, automatic dimming rearview mirror, and cargo cover. Optional equipment includes wheel locks, puddle lamps, cargo tray, illuminated door sill plates, and a rearview mirror with HomeLink and a digital compass. 
A Soul EV comes with a factory invoice of about $35,000 for a base model and an MSRP of about $37,000. The + trim level adds about $1,500 to the vehicle’s MSRP. Know that you are a member means you can rest easy when you go to a Certified Dealer, because once there you can count on a hassle-free experience and an upfront price that saves you money.

Powertrain

The Soul EV is powered by a 360 volt permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor that produces 109 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque. Kia says the vehicle goes from 0 to 62 mph in 11.2 seconds, which is fairly quick compared to other electric cars in the same price range.

Interior Style and Features

The interior color scheme is dominated by grey plastic, with bright white accent trim that sets it apart from the gasoline-powered Soul. The plastics have a unique feel to them, thanks to their having been made out of environmentally-friendly materials like corn and sugar cane. The digital gauge cluster is pretty large and can be easily read quickly, while the infotainment screen in the center stack is also large and fairly easy to use. The rest of the center stack contains a surprising number of physical buttons, some of which are pretty small. Still, the layout is logical and with practice is fairly easy to use while driving. 
The front seats are comfortable, especially for in-town trips, with well-padded bolsters and supportive headrests. As is the case with other versions of the Soul, the rear seating area can accommodate average-sized adults, but is cramped when it comes to legroom for taller people. The center seat is also pretty small and lacks contouring, making it impractical to use often. The cargo area contains 18.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up, but with them folded down it expands to 49.5 cubic feet.

Overall Assessment

If you're in the market for a reasonably-priced electric vehicle, the Kia Soul EV is a good option to look at. Like the gasoline-powered Soul, the crossover is relatively fun to drive on the road, particularly in crowded urban areas. Its small size makes parking fairly easy, with the rearview camera and optional parking assist system helping quite a bit. The vehicle also offers more utility than competing models, thanks to a pretty large cargo area, especially with the rear seats folded down.