Kia Soul EV Review: The electric family car with a 280-mile range

[@paulcox4369]

I have owned a Soul since June after owning a Leaf for 4years, it is a wonderful car which l love driving & have done nearly 10,000m in already. Pluses, range it really does its claimed range sometimes more, driving position & comfort, build quality & practically. It's looks, well that's down to you, initially l was indifferent but now when l see it on my drive l smile. Negatives, after 5 months of ownership l still struggle to know what is in what menu, on certain uneven road surfaces the ride can be choppy, UVO app didn't work for a while, nothing else really! I test drove the Niro, Kona & a 10,000m Tesla M3. Didn't need a bigger boot but if you do & prefer Niros looks, then go for that, Kona felt a bit cheap & not as solid as both Kias, the Tesla was the biggest disappointment, very fast, very clean minimalist interior, terrible build quality, if l had spent that money to have some many rattles &pieces of trim hanging off l would be so upset. Soul is the best all round car l have ever owned.

[@n.s.5278]

Can you compare it to the leaf? How is it better?

[@StevePotter]

I have had the eSoul (in Ireland) since Jan 2020, and after nearly 10000 km, I love it more each drive. Mine is red with black roof, and red accents inside. I had a Leaf since 2011, and always had range anxiety. That is gone now. 420 actual km in the 64kWh battery.

[@fleyua7176]

I got 450km in my soul EV. Has more headroom especially the back compared to the Niro and Kona ev

[@ekhaat]

My first EV was a 2016 Soul EV, I loved it, except for the range. I now have the 39,2 kWh Kona, and I love it. But there's still a place for the Soul in my heart.

[@kpopkpop5235]

better check out this documentary, before you buying it. Drivers fear for safety as years-long recall fails to catch some engine failures kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrEfnuejNCGhNk

[@mapmaker919]

We've had our Soul EV since March 2020. We live on the west coast of Scotland where the roads are windy and the hills steep, yet we always exceed the official performance of 4.4 miles/Kwh (282 miles on a full charge). We regularly exceed 4.7 miles/Kwh (300 miles range). We love the way it drives and the high seats. The single-pedal driving is so satisfying. With the back seats down we can throw any amount of junk in the back - it's a working car. In the compartment under the rear floor we have a spare wheel (bought as an extra) as well as all the charging cables. As a rural EV user I regard a spare wheel as essential but few cars have the space for one. There are too many fancy gadgets for my taste but despite that I can highly recommend the Kia Soul EV.

[@markyturner]

We recently went for a Soul, as the interior felt spacious (similar to our old larger Zafira). We were concerned about the boot size, but it has the 'extra' floor space, and we managed to get our Bernese mountain dog in there without too much trouble. The car itself is basically a joy to drive, although as some have said you do feel the road (which is not all a bad thing imo). The quality of life stuff is generally all great, although I would have liked a user profule option to adjust the driving seat and other settings for different drivers.

[@davidblair7475]

Bought on Dec 2. I have a Tesla Model3 LR. This Kia is a better car. More comfortable, better shaped boot, much better ride, nicely finished, great driving position, Accurate range, sensible accessible controls. Holds the road really well, adjustable regenerative brake paddles. Heads up display autopilot without phantom braking. Nippy without being savage. heat pump. LOVE IT!

[@EVRevolution]

Just purchased a 2023 Kia Soul EV Limited here in Canada as a second BEV for my family and are finally all off of gas and 100% on electrons! It’s a fantastic EV with very surprising range. As Rebecca said, it’s a very competent, capable and fun car to drive. Works for us fine.

[@gregoryuk]

I would listen to an audiobook all day if Rebecca was narrating.

[@psychotron9]

Sold my BMW i3 a couple of months ago and bought a Soul 2020 instead - so much better and still quirky enough for my tastes. Love it

[@n.s.5278]

How is it better?

[@psychotron9]

@@n.s.5278 bigger, a lot more range

[@Android-vk8yh]

Great work Becca probably my favourite female presenter, voice could be used as a Sat Nav voice 👍 I like the soul its different, then I can trust when you explain the level of handling being as you're a racer,love the fact that you've got the Stig locked down under your back seat☝️🤣👍

[@karenimes5266]

I just purchased my Kia Soul EV. Love the car. It's Drivetrain handles wonderfully and surprisingly glides quite smoothly during trips to the corner store, work, and highway. It's spacious for the tall individual and full-figured rider. I'm enjoying my Girl! Would like a little more trunk space. However, the 2nd row folds which offers the extra space when needed. Plan to upgrade in 2 years to the next generation of this lovely cars current design. I expect Kia will continue to improve on the vehicle and its features will be impressive.

[@jeaninemartin]

Great job!!! I’m sold 😊

[@brianmccullough8673]

Kia have created the most stylish of cars in the soul ev ( our 2015 diesel has been outstanding : impeccable controls , reliability , fully equipped ) would love to buy the new soul !

[@tHeWasTeDYouTh]

when you realize that a small country like South Korea can make a mass market car like this but the UK can't. it hurts lads. it hurts

[@brucegraham8425]

We considered the soul, and went for Eniro in 2021 👍🏾

[@taomahNEGEV]

Renault Megane e-Tech beats them all.

[@en3usiastfortesque368]

Excellent and informative review....!! This car does have that extra bit of boldness in it's design which catches the imagination....and the range on offer, albeit with a heavy battery pack, is impressive..... Need to decide if this car will stir one's emotions over the long term.....it is expensive( I believe some profiteering still goes on in the EV world). Previous cars Toyota Prius and Auris Hybrid were genuine game changers and still inspire as long term durable and economical work-horses..... Wondering how the next generation Toyota EV's will shape up when they arrive......

[@ollisterrible]

Nice review, any car is interesting when reviewed by Rebecca.

[@wolvoman1]

Do they do an ' R' version ?

[@jmoranretana]

Rebecca with her beauty and accent makes de car look way better 😝

[@mach1nefan]

S I M P

[@smitbar11]

201hp in a car that size is plenty and impressive

[@Neojhun]

Because it's a Pure EV that 201hp does not directly indicate the 291lb/ft at the front wheels. That's the maximum reasonable amount of torque to front wheels you want on a non sportscar.

[@ruudkraan7072]

The best car to drive. Hé is doING what hé must do. This is a super car.

[@jrs9264]

Rebecca was designed to be smart, talented, and drop dead gorgeous. No wonder they picked her to review a car that had the same goals. 👍🌞🥳🥰

[@mach1nefan]

S I M P

[@enricio]

Nicely presented. 👏👏👏👏

[@jedi1967]

Does the host is an upgraded feature with the EV?

[@z00h]

The wheels look like they come in the "carwash damage" finish typical for standard finish diamond cut wheels after 2 months of road use. Saves every time on having to deal with warranty claims. Very thoughtful of you, Kia Motors UK!

[@paulcowdroynon-noxiouschan3971]

What is that which appears in the frame by her leg at 7:37 in the video? A cats tail. Or something else?

[@buixote]

eSoul; every day, all day!

[@chrisrichmond403]

To me unless it’s how the microphone is making it sound worse it does sound noisy on tyre noise .. If it’s like the volume that we heard in the video that would grate me so much I would take it off the shopping list .

[@wobby1516]

As charming as I’m sure Rebecca is, this is supposed to be about the Soul EV. so stop drooling. We test drove the Soul prior to ordering the Nero EV. We didn’t like it and that surprise me as we had a Soul diesel shaker which we loved. I think the main reason was it felt a bit claustrophobic in the front and that I think was down to the dark upholstery, in the shaker everything was cream seats, dash ect. The Nero 4+ that we’ve ordered is also a dark grey interior but we both felt it more spacious. We currently drive a Hyundai Kona Electric which is great but we need the extra rear space that the Nero offers.

[@fleyua7176]

I found the soul EV is more spacious than the Niro and Kona ev especially for head room

[@steakpie72]

Just thinking of buying one of these cars to replace our PHE Volvo

[@lindseyhatfield9017]

Great review. I am interested in the car as it stands but the price is far to high especially once it gets to Australia, that range is great as well, in Oz we have a lot of distance between places, we travel 130km each way for Xmas lunch for instance. You didn't mention charging at all ???

[@MarkBruceUK]

I own the Soul and had a Niro while is was being serviced. Obviously very similar in a lot of ways but I really didn't like the looks either interior or exterior. Soul all the way for me just has more "Soul"

[@buixote]

Yeah, I know... a dog with a bone... it's just that the eSoul 2020 is being *blacked out* of the EV News... I realize that everyone wants to talk about the latest shiny thing that isn't yet available for purchase, but I *remain* curious about how the eSoul is faring in those markets where it is available? Have there been any *issues* (catching fire, etc.)?

[@StefanGenov7]

Great car also Good specs overall.

[@VgAce135]

I just wish they sold it in the US.

[@robertkolesr.2426]

they did sell them in a few stares ,NJ was one of them and we picked up a2016 Soul EV with 20 K miles for $12 K but with only 80+range.

[@meijir000]

7:35 Smol Cat

[@waveometer8463]

The car is just a detail with Rebecca on camera......

[@sandeeppandit475]

Very nice 👍

[@jvcex]

beautiful car

[@ht9ir]

Well done for not getting distracted by the cat, by the way

[@otron805]

a surprisingly spacious car !

[@Grayson_Baker]

Does the Soul EV have the hidden area in the boot?

[@scotstubbie]

Think I would rather go for the Nero more practical for me.

[@DougGrinbergs]

I might consider a used one in 7-10 years for a fraction of the price

[@cdnim2358]

Looks like a thoroughly rounded, unrounded car! Not sure what demographic it is aimed a though 🤔

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Hi, I view my car like my Bosch washing machine. Any suggestions? This (or the sadly discontinued e-up)

[@ram64man]

Who said it’s discontinued the 35kw version is on the local lot as a demo but it’s being offered by skoda and seat with minor differences they are both 95 % all the same if you don’t want to spend more than 25k then look at the new jazz if you don’t care about it being fully electric or you can get a good deal on 40kw ionic

[@pigeonpoo1823]

@@ram64man go onto the VW website to update your out of date knowledge

[@gioatt]

Banana lady at her best!!

[@Brian-om2hh]

Absolutely nothing wrong with her style of presentation, but her voice really grates on me! It's not her accent ( I'm English too), it's just her tone. Unless it's the speaker in my laptop or something....

[@garethadcock4998]

Hope the cat at the end got a cuddle

[@sidneythomasparker121]

Nothing wrong with the interior !!

[@Grandinfotainment]

Rabeca ❤

[@danielcristea3868]

It must be soo annoying to be soo good looking, that most people cannot properly focus on the presentation anymore. Hmmm... :)

[@oliverleonard7730]

I just don't like the shape - it's literary just a box.

[@clivecrossley8871]

cornering and steering is very good she has no idea

[@mirceaisaila1454]

Rebecca, what's the cat's name?

[@emergencylime]

Mircea Isaila fair play to Rebecca for not laughing when it was weaving around her legs 😹

[@xpertcrush]

Wanna see me bean in action? Click here 5:01

[@m__r1100]

Is it me or is that paint really orange-peel like? (Just a few seconds in)

[@CliffDaviszootour]

No, not you, it is terrible.

[@fleyua7176]

Mine came out normal

[@stevewalsh-balshaw1727]

Nice car but very expensive certainly not for folk on 20k a year trouble with these ev's is their really made for the well off ordinary folk just can't afford them nor likely to I'm sure the agenda is to get ordinary folk off the road

[@gurdeshsingh7824]

Kia soul booking India nise all pictures from EX man Amritsar PUNJAB

[@barcaleicleic7781]

😇😇😇

[@philipc239]

Rebecca you are so beautiful! ❤ ❤ ❤

[@drnh4444]

Dunno what it is but i find her too irritating to watch the reviews

[@mbingham10]

James Browns got soul, not this lump of crap.

[@sleepings4596]

If you have to buy a car for your family, you've got a bad life. 27 single, full time career, I own 2 sports cars, both 2 door coupes. Kia soul is a lame car lol.

[@starvetheegofeedthesoul9072]

does not sound like a meaningful life

[@MarkBruceUK]

🔔end

[@Theosgosnos]

The flow of electrical current to the motor that moves a hybrid vehicle produces electromagnetic fields (EMF). A number of studies have linked EMF exposure with serious health issues, including a possible risk of cancer, miscarriage and a higher risk of leukaemia among children