2021 Kia Soul EV (e-Soul): InsideEVs In-Depth Review

Kia initially announced that it was going to sell the excellent all-electric version of the latest (third-generation) Soul in the United States, but then at the last moment decided against it. Now only the ICE Soul is available in the States and because Kia launched the flashy and exciting EV6, everyone is talking about that and not the electric Soul. But is the US market missing out by not having the Soul? InsideEVs European Editor Andrei Nedelea seems to think so.
00:00 Intro
00:55 Exterior
06:10 Interior
10:58 Tester's spec & price
12:10 Driving impressions
15:30 Conclusion

[@jameswells2299]

Hello I am a American we live in France and purchased new 2022 KIA E-Soul (Red) several months ago and we are really enjoying it. We have already done several road trips from Geneva, Switzerland to Metz & Paris, France and the expereince with our vehicle was really great. For a small electric car for us we thank it's one of the best EV's on the market from KIA today. 😀

[@treads2595]

I don’t have the words to describe the anger I felt when I found out that Kia wasn’t bringing this to the US. Canada gets it but we don’t. I’ve been looking into how to import it from Canada but so far I haven’t figured out how to do it yet.

[@MrLM002]

I'm pretty sure there's no legal way to do it before said car is 25 years old but if there is a way it'll probably cost you more than the whole car did, then you'd have no dealer support, basically no drivetrain parts availability, etc. I think they'll bring them to the US eventually, they just need to sell a ton of them in Europe and they're selling them as fast as they can make them.

[@charlesstanton4135]

You can import vehicles newer than 25 years if they meet FMVSS and EPA etc. They certified the 2020 models, and a handful of them are out there. There was a dealer in Everett, WA that sold at least two of them for $40k last year. Because they were US models they still had the warranty etc. Other than trying to find one of those unicorns, it'd probably be best to import a Canadian 2020; don't know of the steps for that. The government website make it seem like you need to go through a broker or something. Probably have to change the light to say "brake" if it doesn't already.

[@guylr7390]

Come on Kia, this is the EV that I want right now. It’s not too large but has great interior space and adequate range. I know it’s a matter of availability of batteries, chips etc but this car is the kind of vehicle that can open up EVs to the general public so get this one or the next gen version here ASAP.

[@DesmoLocke]

My wife and I would buy the 280 mile Soul EV tomorrow if it was here in the states. She loves her 2017 Soul and I like how easy it fits in our garage. Come on Kia!

[@MrLM002]

As an American I really appreciate the review. The lip in the back is disappointing. Otherwise I'd agree the e-Soul is better than the EV6. All they need to do with the e-Soul is make an AWD option (shouldn't be hard whatsoever) and get rid of that rear lip. Do that and I bet they'd sell pretty dang well in the US. Like an electric Honda Element. I think the main reason they haven't sold them in the US though is that they're selling them as fast as they can make them everywhere else and in Europe the EU punishes your company if you don't sell enough BEVs, Honda was having a big issue with that not too long ago.

[@TheMehlvin]

I wish Kia would have brought this EV to the States..I would have purchased this over my 2022 Mini Cooper EV. I love my Cooper but the range is obviously a sticking point for most people...for me so far it hasn't bothered me, even on longish drives.

[@charlesstanton4135]

I really love my older one and I wish I could get this one (plus have the money to buy it). It's the perfect car for me 🥺

[@khazm2k]

Heading out to test drive one and upgrade my 2018 to this one... hopefully :)

[@rzu7120]

Given the battery size and drag coefficient, I suspect the stated range is highly optimistic.

[@InsideEVsUS]

You can hit 250 miles / 400 km in summer, just don't drive it at high speed. When I picked up this tester with a fully-charged battery, it showed 382 km, in winter with near-freezing temps. Andrei

[@MrLogansimmons]

It seems like the small trunk and rear seat room kept it from the US market. We have the Niro EV, and it has more cargo and rear seat room.

[@dmunro9076]

The E-Soul is sold in Canada and is popular here.

[@Yormsane]

Kia USA probably figured they didn't need two competing EVs for the US market, with the Niro EV already on sale.

[@storm4710]

The truck Soul logo color means something if it's silver then it's a 39.2kWh, If it's red then it's 64kWh .

[@juergenheymann6362]

Yes, AE customer service is super nice and always quickly available when needed. Unfortunately, I did have to talk to them a couple of times to get a session started which is a double edged sword. There are there, but would be better if the stations would be more reliable.

[@Shaggy70]

Which u prefer? E Niro or E soul?

[@soonsolhong]

I hope KIA will sell Soul EV again in US.

[@carperdiem8754]

My 2016 Soul is amazing

[@willemtjaffer7356]

in the Netherlands you always have to pay extra for the heatpump

[@OneTireFire]

Romania has a colder climate, maybe that's why it's standard here.

[@willemtjaffer7356]

@@OneTireFire Thank you for your response. I guess you’re right

[@Kopchronicles]

I like the Soul. I would say the interior looks dated by Kia's other Cars. And an updated infotainment is needed.

[@InsideEVsUS]

It just feels like the previous version of what Kia puts in the EV6 - it's actually quite an okay infotainment, in my experience. It feels like a slight upgrade over what you get in the Niro EV. Andrei

[@williammillard687]

No idea why WLTP is ever referred to....it has never given an even vaguely close approximation of a vehicle’s range...complete fiction.....the dashboard guess-o-meter is more accurate!

[@InsideEVsUS]

I mentioned the WLTP because this Soul EV was never given a range quote by the EPA. And you can hope for 400 km / 250 miles in more suitable conditions and with a bit of thought and restraint. Andrei

[@williammillard687]

@@InsideEVsUS many thanks Andrei- I was being ironic/sarcastic....a bit like NEDC...(Not Even Damn Close), WLTP is a laboratory derived figure which in fact doesn’t bear much resemblance to real world figures/expectations.....fossil fuel economy figures from manufacturers are equally fictitious usually....what potential customers need is the real world figures....(as done by Kyle and Tom on the US channel) Many thanks for your reply and for your work! Cheers! William

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

@@williammillard687 most crazy people in the usa want to drive everything 80-90 miles an hour on the highway and you won’t get good range driving like that.

[@chunkychuck]

@@InsideEVsUS actually the US epa figure for 2020 is 249 miles. That was before they decided not to bring it. You can look it up on our government's fuel economy website (I have no idea if I can paste links or not)

[@fenceman53]

Is it Kyle Conner approved?

[@TalismanPHX]

First!! And a hybrid version of the Soul would be better suited to the US market

[@BMWHP2]

Hybrids are the worst of 2 worlds. Louzy range on battery due to the extra weight of 2 systems, and louzy milage on gas due to the extra weight of 2 systems. And you will get wrecked when you try to sell anything on gas in 2 or 3 years. You can see the price dropping already. Go full electric or stay home.

[@InsideEVsUS]

The EV is definitely the best version of the Soul that you can buy now. Andrei

[@TheJ1s]

This E Soul isn't that good and I'm glad it didn't come to the states it needs more upgrades.

[@loriallen67]

I have a 2nd Gen ICE Soul and would buy an E-Soul if available in the US. EV6 is too big and too expensive.

[@BMWHP2]

Whow, €39.000 for a Kia that has the form of a fridge. And €33.000 for the model that cant even get the minimum of 200mls. That 170mls is theoratical, in winter you will be glad to reach 100mls on the freeway and charge every hour for an hour. I'll pass till the prices are affordable for the masses.

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

It is a electric car you won’t get it cheap brand new even if specs you don’t agree with. You can get a used chademo one if you don’t like the price. I saw on in the usa when I was charging. People forget used evs

[@paulgallagher6497]

Ugliest car I’ve ever seen