For those who are ready to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) and ditch either gasoline or diesel engines altogether, the Kia Soul EV seems like the perfect model for drivers to make the switch.
Car Wow reckons that the Soul EV has an ace-in-the-hole that should make it a powerful contender to the likes of the Nissan LEAF and the Peugeot e-2008 - it is based on the outstanding Kia e-Niro, which is one of the very best all-round EVs currently on the market.
In fact, it has a history of good sales figures. According to Top Gear, in 2018, the South Korean automotive manufacturer sold more Soul EVs in Europe than it did gasoline and diesel ones combined. In Europe, customers can only purchase it as an electric model, but in the rest of the world, gasoline engines are available for the Soul.
Like its Hyundai Kona Electric counterpart, the Soul EV seems like good value given it costs the same as a top-spec Mini Electric - approximately $46,700 in the US.
It's an incredibly nifty little car that can help drivers get out of the tightest spots, but for the purposes of this article, only one feature can be chosen as its best one, and that has to be the design.
The Best Feature Of The Kia Soul EV Is The Design
With comfortable, electrically adjustable, heated, and leather-trimmed seats, drivers have everything they need once they take their seat in the Soul EV. Other interior features that come as standard with the First Edition trim are a leather steering wheel and gray headlining. Further, there's pretty generous space inside, too, whether for the driver or other occupants.
The EV also comes with a touchscreen 10.25-inch infotainment system that not only looks good but has plenty of functions and responds quickly to inputs. There are plenty of physical climate controls and lots of buttons providing direct access to most functions, including Kia's own UVO Connect telematics system, which provides live weather and traffic updates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
If anyone wants a car that will grab people's attention, the exterior of the Soul EV will do that for them. The Soul EV has a high bonnet, squinting LED headlights, and a raked roofline. It also has a quirky blue color that will help make it even more distinguishable.
Furthermore, there are some cool details on the doors, and the circular drive selector helps make the Soul EV stand out not just from other cars but even from alternative Kia models.
The Soul EV is equipped with wireless smartphone charging that is suitable assuming that a passenger's smartphone supports it, but there is also a more traditional USB socket just in case. As long as drivers keep the sound levels below legal limits, they can have great fun with a pumping 10-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system.
With so much to love about the Soul EV's design, it's no wonder that it was classed as the vehicle's best feature. However, there are other characteristics that many people love about this model.
There's More To Love About The Soul EV
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Power is delivered smoothly and immediately in the Soul EV, and it has a 201 hp output. It can also zoom from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds. Not bad! Drive it around town, and the Soul EV rewards drivers with upward of 4 miles per kWH which makes it more impressive than the world's first-ever EV - the Nissan LEAF.
The Soul has an impressive range for an EV. With 250 miles, drivers should end up in a major rush to recharge their vehicle.
This electric car also features regenerative braking, which adjusts the level of regen based on traffic ahead, rather like it does in the Niro.
But for those who are interested in its battery, the Soul EV has a massive 64 kWh battery which can be charged from empty to full using a 7 kW wall box charger at home in ten and a half hours. The good news is that it is possible to go from 10-80% in just over an hour using a 50kW charger. A full charge at home will cost roughly $13.04, which is cheaper than fueling the average gasoline car over the same range.
While traveling in the country, the Soul EV benefits from its instant punch when overtaking, too, although its light steering makes it hard to drive quickly. It is recommended that drivers try and preserve its range, especially on highways.
The only downside of this model is that there's inadequate space for luggage.
The Kia Soul EV's design should be the ultimate factor that convinces people to buy this model, as it has a great exterior and interior design and an awesome infotainment system. Go and buy one if you can.