The march of the mainstream electric car continues. After bringing us the impressive Kia e-Niro, the firm is doubling down on this with another entrant in the crossover SUV sector: meet the new Kia Soul EV.

Making its European debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the new Soul EV arrives in EU markets this spring. UK prices and an on-sale date will follow later – but, as with the e-Niro, we can expect an on-sale price of under £35,000.

Indeed, as well as the range-topper, which has a 64kWh battery, Kia’s also selling a lesser Soul EV with a 39.2kWh battery. This one could actually squeeze under the £30k mark, if the firm decides to bring it to the UK.

The longer-range is the one most will want though. At 280 miles, it has an almost identical range to the e-Niro. And because the battery is bigger, Kia can fit a powerful 204hp motor, giving 0-62mph in a scant 7.6 seconds. 

Don’t expect the Soul EV 39.2kWh version, with its 136hp motor, to be anywhere near as fast. The range isn’t as good either: 172 miles, rather than 280 miles. It will share the longer-range model’s regenerative braking paddles though, allowing ‘one-pedal’ driving and charging the battery at the same time. 

Both version will charge up from zero to 80 percent charge in just 42 minutes, via a public 100kW fast charger. 

Third-generation Soul

The new Soul EV is the third generation of Kia’s leftfield crossover SUV. This one is still very distinctive, but more refined and fully-formed than earlier versions. It even has sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, instead of a cheaper torsion beam setup, so should drive much better. 

At 4,195mm long, it’s 55mm longer than before, and is a fulsome 1,800mm wide. Plenty of body height means Kia’s been able to create a lot of space inside – this is the roomiest Soul yet, despite the all-electric drivetrain (other global markets will get petrol and diesel Soul, but for Europe and the UK, it’s Soul EV only). 

The designers are particularly proud of the ‘island’ tailgate, which opens up to a so-so 315-litre boot; fold the seats and it grows to 1,339 litres. 

Sales of the outgoing Soul convinced Kia to go all-electric for Europe. There was a previous-generation Soul EV and, explained Emilio Herrera, CEO for Kia Motors Europe, “in 2018 – the outgoing model’s final year on sale, Kia sold more of the zero-emissions Soul EV in Europe than petrol and diesel versions combined.

“Electrified vehicles account for one in eight Kia cars sold in Europe in 2018, up from one in 10 in 2017, and the Soul EV will further build on this momentum.”

Kia adds the new Soul EV’s electric motor and battery are so advanced, they’re up to 30 percent more energy-efficient than Europe’s current best-selling electric car. Which is? We’re looking at you, Nissan Leaf – such is the pace of how quickly things move on in the electric car world. 

Indeed, even Nissan already has an answer to the launch Leaf’s so-so range…

The new Skoda Kamiq, which makes its world debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show next week, is the Czech brand’s third all-new SUV and the smallest one it’s launched to date.

Billed as a city SUV crossover, the new Kamiq is gunning for the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Vauxhall Mokka X (as well as its Seat Arona sister car). Skoda hopes it will bring brand new, younger customers into dealers, those who have never considered the brand before.

At 4,241mm long, it’s only slightly larger than a regular supermini, and shorter overall than a family hatchback like a Volkswagen Golf (or, indeed, the upcoming new Skoda Scala). But the higher ground clearance gives it a safe and sturdy feel inside, and the tall body creates plenty of space.

Chunky styling draws from the Skoda SUV family DNA, with a wide grille and contoured bonnet. Even the smallest wheels are 16 inches in diameter; up to 18 inches are available, underlining the tough and chunky look.

The Kamiq is “powerful and emotive, despite its compact dimensions,” said Skoda head of design Oliver Stefani. He’s proud of the split LED headlights; choose optional full LED lights and the daytime running lights “appear like four gemstones above the main headlights”. Crystalline 3D effects further enhance the “glistening jewels” appearance.

The Scala introduced Skoda’s new interior layout, with a large, freestanding infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. The Kamiq is the second – and at 9.2 inches, the screen is the largest in the city SUV segment.

There’s lots of soft-touch materials and more crystalline textures, while ambient lighting in three colours – white, red and copper – help it feel more spacious at night. Luxury touches include optional heated seats in the rear as well as the front.

The boot is enormous – 400 litres with the seats up (20 litres bigger than a VW Golf), 1,395 litres with them folded. Skoda will even let you option a fold-down front passenger seat, so loads up to almost 2.5 metres can be loaded in.

Skoda’s selling the Kamiq purely in front-wheel drive guise: people care more about fuel economy than off-road traction in this sector (although it does have 37mm more ground clearance than a Scala, add the engineers). There is a diesel, a 115hp 1.6 TDI, but the best-sellers will be the turbo petrol engines – a 1.0 TSI with 95hp or 115hp, plus a 1.5 TSI with 150hp.

Those who want a sportier drive can have a sport chassis setup, that’s 10mm lower and comes with adaptive suspension – choose from normal, sport, eco and individual modes.

There are lots of standard safety features, plenty more optional ones, and a Skoda wouldn’t be a true Skoda without a plethora of so-called ‘Simply Clever’ features. The Kamiq? It has no fewer than 20 of them.

These include sector-first door edge protectors, an electric tailgate, removable LED torch and a Skoda Connect app that allows you to remotely check whether the Kamiq is locked, or how much fuel is in the tank, from your smartphone.

The Good Housekeeping Reader Recommendation is a highly sought-after accolade for anything in the consumer sphere – be it technology, clothing or indeed housekeeping.

Now cars are on the iconic magazine’s radar, with the Ford Kuga and Ecosport earning a first ever automotive Reader Recommendation.

The Reader Recommendation comes with a combination of the ‘expertise of Good Housekeeping’s acclaimed testing institute’ as well as the insights of readers giving their personal experiences of a product.

Fully 98 percent of readers rated the Kuga as very good or excellent. And 96 percent said they would recommend the crossover to friends or family.

The Ecosport scores slightly lower, with 96 percent of readers giving a good/excellent score and 91 percent saying they’d recommend it. Still, not a score to be sniffed at.

Alongside the success and acclaim the Fiesta and Focus are accruing, Ford has quite the award-winning lineup on its hands. 

“We are incredibly proud to be the first automotive manufacturer to be Reader Recommended,” said Mandy Dean, marketing director, Ford of Britain. “It’s great to have Ecosport and Kuga, two very popular vehicles in our range, receive further validation from such an established and respected consumer voice, representing everyday users.” 

“It’s great to see a brand like Ford engaging in our rigorous Good Housekeeping testing programme to ensure they’re providing the best quality for the ever-discerning consumer,” added Jim Chaudry, automotive director at Good Housekeeping publisher, Hearst UK.

Lexus sales have now broken the 10 million mark, 30 years after the firm was founded to shake up the luxury car establishment.

Beginning with the landmark Lexus LS in 1989, the company has grown to cover multiple model segments; its latest car, the Lexus UX small SUV, is arriving soon in UK dealers.

Like all new Lexus, the UX is a hybrid, technology that’s come to define Toyota’s premium division. Sales of hybrid Lexus are now nearing 1.5 million vehicles.

Lexus launched its first petrol-electric hybrid in 2005; today, it sells 11 different hybrid models. And in 2018, new models helped the firm’s hybrid sales grow 20 percent.

Last year, Lexus sold almost 700,000 new cars globally, 4.5 percent up on 2017. This was the company’s best-ever year for sales, and international president Yoshihiro Sawa reckons the firm won’t be easing up this year.

“Lexus continues to enjoy substantial growth around the world, expanding its footprint in emerging markets as well as reaffirming its strength in established ones.

“The brand’s clear focus on amazing products and guest experiences provided by the finest dealers will support its global growth for years to come.”

Authors are immortalised in print, musicians are immortalised on vinyl, cars are immortalised in Lego. At least that’s how it seems at the moment, with the number of incredible cars you can now pick up in Lego form. The latest addition is the classic 1967 Ford Mustang, available in Lego Creator Expert form from the beginning of March 2019.

Lego models are usually a bit hit and miss when it comes to accurately replicating cars but the Mustang is certainly one of the better efforts. The famous pony car’s robust cuboidal proportions lend themselves well to recreation in brick model form.

Made up of 1,470 pieces, the Creator Expert Mustang has a particular party piece, because all these models do. In tribute to its status as the darling of the modified muscle car scene in the ‘60s, the Lego recreation is ‘highly customisable’. Side exhausts, an enormous supercharger, a ducktail spoiler, chin spoiler and nitrous oxide tanks come with ‘for an authentic muscle car build experience’.

In terms of detail, the Lego ‘Stang comes with working steering, viewable engine, openable doors and trunk and rollable wheels. It measures 10 centimetres high, 34 centimetres long and 14 centimetres wide, so is a bit more compact than the bonkers Chiron…

Now all we need to know is how much. The new Lego Creator Expert Ford Mustang can be yours for £119.99 in the UK. One would look good alongside our Chiron…

“The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic, symbolic cars in history – and to bring this fan favourite muscle car to life in brick form, with this level of customisation, has been exhilarating,” said Jamie Berard, Design Lead on LEGO Creator Expert. “We can’t wait to see our LEGO and Ford Mustang fans’ own creations when they get their hands on this new set.”

This March, all roads lead to Geneva as the world’s car manufacturers gather in the Swiss city for some #GIMSSWISS action. When we say all roads, we really mean the huge E62 running from Nantes to Genoa.

But while dozens of carmakers pull the wraps off the cars you’ve already seen in a flood of pre-show ‘teaser’ images, some manufacturers will be at home enjoying a lie-in as Palexpo throws opens its doors for the 89th Geneva International Motor Show.

Last year, some big names decided against spending the best part of two weeks in autumnal Paris, but with the promise of dinner on the banks of Lake Geneva and an excuse to hit the ski slopes, fewer have decided to give #GIMSWISS a miss.

Here are some of the big names not attending the Geneva Motor Show. #GIMSMISS

Ford

Ford was one of the big names absent from Paris, but although the Blue Oval still considers Geneva to be an important show, it won’t be in Switzerland next month. “We looked at all the things we had to do in 2019, and we’ve got a lot of stuff coming,” a spokesperson told Autocar.

“Rather than go to Geneva with relatively small news, we would rather do something later that would give us more bang for our buck. I don’t anticipate this will be a regular thing, though,” he continued.

No doubt Ford will be using the time to prepare for the imminent launch of the 280hp Focus ST, with an all-new Kuga ST expected to land before the end of the year. The Mondeo is also due a facelift, while work is underway on a new Ranger.

Hyundai

“Hyundai will not be attending [the] Geneva this year,” a company spokesperson told CarBuzz, but it’s not about to let sister brand Kia steal the Swiss limelight.

In a press release, Hyundai has announced that it will unveil its first performance-themed SUV “in the near future”, with everything pointing to a Tucson N-Line. Not a full-fat hot SUV to rival the Cupra Ateca – there’s a difference between N and N-Line – but you can expect a variety of sporty trimmings.

Hyundai is also gearing up for the launch of the Nexo fuel-cell vehicle, with the promise of up to 400 miles of range from a hydrogen tank that will take a few minutes to refuel. We just have to hope that the infrastructure required for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles catches up.

In the meantime, the i30 Fastback N is about to hit UK showrooms, with everything suggesting that it will be every bit as good as the i30 N, which was one of our favourite cars of 2018.

Jaguar Land Rover

Fresh from announcing pre-tax losses of £3.4 billion and news that it would cut around 4,500 jobs from its UK workforce, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) could do with an injection of positivity.

In the past couple of weeks, Land Rover has shelved plans to bring the SVX concept and Range Rover SV Coupe to market, although the new Evoque has been given a pre-sales boost with CAP HPI giving it a glowing prediction in terms of residual values.

In light of flagging sales, Jaguar needs to decide what to do with the XE and XF models – a report in Autocar suggests they could be merged into one single saloon. Jag desperately needs the I-Pace electric SUV to live up to its undoubted promise, but it faces a challenge from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Vauxhall/Opel

While Peugeot and Citroen will represent PSA in Geneva, there’s no place for Vauxhall/Opel. One could argue that an international motor show is an ideal venue at which to showcase a revitalised product line-up, but the French owners see things differently.

Which is a shame, because the electric 2019 Corsa has the potential to be a hugely important car for the brand, capable of reversing the recent fall in sales for the beleaguered brand. We’re not sure a facelifted Astra will have the same effect.

Volvo

Volvo announced that it wouldn’t be attending the Geneva Motor Show last summer, saying it prefers more direct forms of communication, including boutique launches and intimate consumer gatherings.

“The ongoing change in the car industry is creating new audiences for Volvo Cars and new ways of bringing products to the market,” explained Björn Annwall, senior vice president of strategy, brand and retail at Volvo Cars.

“Automatic attendance at traditional industry events is no longer viable – we must tailor our communications based on how the options complement our messaging, timing and the nature of the technology we are presenting.”

Not that Volvo is in need of the exposure. Hardly a week seems to pass without the Swedish company picking up an award for one of its SUVs, most notably the XC40.

Furthermore, while the car industry appears to be swimming against a tide of falling sales, Volvo simply goes with the flow. Global sales grew 16.7 percent in January 2019, with European sales up 24.4 percent.

Other Geneva absentees include Alpine, Infiniti, Lotus and Tesla, but fear not, because we’ll be out there in force to bring you the latest news and scoops. That’s assuming there’s actually some new news to report on.