2023 Kia Soul EV Review: When Range Isn't Everything

[@Koulis_]

I have a Soul EV here in the UK. The range I think is impressive even compared to some newer entrants. It was actually a selling point for me as the WLTP here is 280 miles and the GOM is accurate due to efficiency. Winter is less mileage but very good still.

[@seanpeacock5595]

We have a Soul and love it. Few more practical for its size, but the EV prices have got to come down $10,000 in Canada for more mainstream acceptance. I can buy a regular Soul and have $15,000 extra cash.

[@rodbhar6522]

that $15k of cash will disappear in 5 years in gas and maintenance.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

They lost me with no one pedal driving -- I am so use to that in my Bolt! My 2019 Bolt does very well in estimating range, is appointing that you said the EUV did not. Cheers

[@rightlanehog3151]

Dan, Boxes work. In a world of slippery, sloping, 'swoopy' car designs that simply don't work for driver, passenger or cargo practicality, I hope space efficient, upright, TALL boxes come back in style soon. I offer a big THANKS for highlighting the proven benefits of fully independent rear suspension 10:08. A retrograde torsion beam or, as I call it,Torture Beam Rear Suspension® is, was and always will be a third rate, cost-cutting exercise. No car on the market today is cheap enough in price to justify an ox cart rear suspension. Automakers should be named and shamed for trying to foist them on an unsuspecting public who are trying desperately to cope with the potholed streets that dominate the Canadian landscape. Reviewers who soft-pedal the detrimental effects of torsion beams should be sentenced to a lifetime of driving them. 😉

[@danilika9420]

Hahaha! Couldn’t agree more! Torsion beam is awful no matter how much a brand like Mazda has tried to put lipstick on that pig!

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@danilika9420 But it's a 'Premium' torsion beam on a Mazda, Motor Trend told me so. 😉

[@flolou8496]

Can U.S. citizens buy this model for use in the USA?

[@autotrader_ca]

@@flolou8496 Indeed you can!

[@flolou8496]

@@autotrader_ca I find it hard to believe it could be so easy, but OK in the meantime while I verify this, let me throw you a curve ball: Are you ready ? USA citizens very recently can also get a 4,000 EV credit against there tax liability even if they buy a used EV: It works just like the new EV credit of 7500.00 you probably know about because that's been around much longer in the USA, but the 4,000 for used EV's is much newer, anyway, here is worst of the curve ball now: Can a US citizen actually qualify for the credit even if they're using it from a Canadian dealership? (I'm going to assume NO, only USA dealerships would qualify) P.S. I have some great bonuses for you if you take the time to look into this for me) For example bonus # 1: The new Juniper model Y version for 2025 from Tesla, we'll likely have a 95 KW battery with range similar to the model S, and still is rumored to cost under 40,000 USD,

[@gregoryg]

I tried, but the cost to import was going to be over 3k. The car is not made for the us market so it requires certifications. I have owned 2016 and 2018 Soul EVs and would have loved a newer one. But importing is too cost prohibitive

[@Reddylion]

Hyundai and kia ev 👍

[@joeblow9931]

have a friend with one. went thru 2 batteries within 32k miles

[@christopherbrown842]

You mean the 12V battery I assume. It seems the battery supplied is of so-so quality.

[@joeblow9931]

@@christopherbrown842 no the big ev battery

[@christopherbrown842]

😵😵😵😡

[@rafael2diego]

The rated 383km range is at 80% SOC.

[@danilika9420]

That would be news to Kia, which states on its own website that the Soul EV has “a range of up to 383 km at full charge.”

[@rafael2diego]

@@danilika9420 At 100% SOC, I could get 515 - 530 Km during warmer months. I read that some owners could get close to 600 Km. However, the manual does not recommend to charge the battery to 100% frequently and to not let it go down lower than 20% to prolong the battery life. In colder temperatures, for example at -10 C, I could only get around 340-350 Km at 80 % SOC.

[@kingt.2811]

Ev is great for some but not all. Can you imagine an ev charge station to chare your ev. In a city of 15 million people, with minimum of two hours to charge. Cali is a great example. If 50% of the populous in cali all had ev's it would be un sustainable. People would wait hours to charge.

[@the_harbour_boys]

Nah I’ll stick with a gas engine