Kia Soul EV review

• For: Driving range, standard equipment, warranty
• Against: Expensive to buy, divisive styling
• Verdict: Kia’s funky electric car is well-equipped and offers a decent range

Petrolheads will often complain that electric cars have no soul. Kia begs to differ.

The second-generation Soul EV uses the same 204hp electric motor and 64kWh battery pack as the Kia e-Niro. Its boxy and futuristic styling, however, is far more interesting than its rather staid sibling.

Fully charged, it delivers up to 280 miles of driving range, with an 80 percent charge available in just 45 minutes.

Only one trim level is available in the UK: the fully-loaded Maxx. It boasts 17-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paint, a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, a 10.25 touchscreen, heated front seats and a host of safety equipment.

The Soul EV costs £32,495 after the government plug-in car grant has been deducted – on a par with the equivalent e-Niro and (closely related) Hyundai Kona Electric.

As well as being easy to drive (albeit not exactly, well, soulful), the Soul EV also offers peace of mind, thanks to Kia’s excellent seven-year warranty.

Only a relatively small 315-litre boot lets the side down. For comparison, the e-Niro holds 451 litres, while the Volkswagen ID.3 swallows 385 litres.

KEY INFO

• Launched: 2020
• Facelifted: TBC
• Due for replacement: TBC