REVIEW: 2023 Kia Soul EV. Has Kia ruined our boxy favourite? | Electrifying

#kiasoul#kiaelectric #electriccars

Well, whatever it is, it’s always been striking and very efficient - sharing the brilliant hardware from the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona EV was never a bad idea. It’s fun, and a little bit different. And now it looks set to be different again - with the introduction of a new 2023 model.

However, you’ll need to be something of a Soul expert to spot any of the differences on the outside. Apart from a few small trim changes and a new location for the boot badge, the new Soul looks very much like the old Soul. But that’s no bad thing.

As far as the inside goes, the cabin gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen as standard in all but the base grade and a through re-model, including a better dash and shiny new body-colour inserts on the inside of the doors, as well as a much more comprehensive package of driver aids.

There will be two versions available in the UK, one called the ‘Urban’ with a 39.2kWh battery and 171 miles of WLTP range that comes in at just under £33,000. That’s the one Kia thinks will suit people in cities, and gives the Soul range a much lower starting price.

The ‘Explore’, which is the one we filmed, gets extra bodystyling, a 64kWh battery and a much more useful 280 miles of WLTP range, and that starts at £39,045. That sounds a bit punchy when you realise that you can have something like a Kia Niro EV in ‘3’ grade for just £500 more. And that has a slightly bigger battery at 64.8kWh and 285 miles of WLTP range.

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Our reviews are written by some of the most experienced reviewers in the business and will even help you find the perfect new or used car.

[Lewis_Standing]

DC charging speeds are of overplayed significance. Can only have used DC charging a dozen times in 2.5 years.

Was thinking of upgrading my Kona to an ioniq 6, but actually since I never need to DC rapid charge, that's taking on loads of debt for what reason? So I can rush a motorway stop 6x a year, leg it back from the bog or canteen to move it before getting overstay fees? Pointless.

[Arthur_Pint]

I’ve had my Soul EV Maxx for nearly 2 years and I absolutely love it! What’s more, short of winning the lottery, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

It’s great to drive, has ‘punchy’ acceleration, is economical, and being an ‘old school’ driver I actually appreciate the somewhat ‘retro’ dashboard layout, as opposed to having some ‘glorified iPad’ in front of me.

The only upgrade I did was to replace the ‘default’ tyres with Michelin Cross Climate 2s, because they are ‘all-weather’, and reduce the wheel-spin that comes when ‘calling upon’ the car’s 201 bhp.

Back when I got it, it was still ‘just about’ reasonably priced, (along with the then still generous Govt EV rebate) however, KIA are now asking ‘crazy money’ for the Soul, and I can understand people being very reticent to ‘fork-out’ so much for one.

[pearl.gadgets]

It's great to see Nicola on here. One of my favourite presenters on one of my favourite car channels = winner 🎉

[XENONEZZ]

I bought the 200HP version for my partner. You should have explored the Sport mode a bit more..it actually handles.. because of its more compact size... very well indeed...something some of the competition mentioned aren't able to it has much more character too

[robenglish]

Buy it second hand! Bought mine in Sweden where I live for £ 26200, model 2022; 64 kWh, 20000 km! Boxy but efficient, now in summer 470 km, approx 290 miles, more than my neighbour’s Polestar long range with 78 kWh! But the Polestar weighs in at 0, 5 tons more! And a new Volvo XC40 ICE, cheapest spec cost £ 27500. What is crap is though auto driving, but I turned that of. Charging from wall box 11 kW, with solar panels, it’s a simple solution. A used Niro would also do but prefer the looks of the Soul.

[mikadavies]

Actually very disappointed with the Kua Soul at £39, 000...!! I would definitely be choosing a newer Kia (as the warranty is megga) or a Citroën E-C4, at £32, 000

[sgregorybird]

I've been wondering where Nicola was now!
I really wish they'd bring these to the US. Especially since they're available in Canada, as far as I know.
The Niro is newer and nicer, but the Soul is so much more comfortable for an all torso person like myself.

[AhhGeeProductions]

I trade up to the Niro EV this weekend from my Kia Soul EV (Maxx - 2022). I've loved every single drive in the Soul EV. It's definitely on the way out - with the EV3 and EV5 coming in the near future. However, for the second hand market, the Soul EV first edition and Maxx can be found between 15-22k, that is incredible value for a significantly well spec'd EV.

The Soul was the perfect first EV for me, now I'm upgrading for a little more space with the Niro - but I would love to have one of these on the driveway again if I could run two EV's in the future.

[stephenclay]

The soul Ev is a good car but it is just a fill in car until the Ev4 arrives. Kia had pulled it last year but brought it back because of the difficulty in getting the New Niro ev. I was told this by my Kia dealer.

[MichaelMartinussen]

They should have refreshed the charging time too !!!

[kevindfung]

Seen this before on electrifying, when filming the boot, you need to light it properly so we can see the depth.

[Koulis_]

Too expensive now.
I got my First Edition in 2020 and it was good value then as it came loaded with kit and was much cheaper.
The charging speed is now dated but I hardly ever use a public charger so this doesn't affect me.
The paddles are great and you can drive the car using them like gears.
The efficiency is still amazing and among the best.
The interior layout isn't modern but works well ergonomically and the infotainment is very good.
The Harman Kardon 10 speaker music system is fantastic.
The rear suspension is multilink and gives the car a well controlled ride and helps with the effortless drive.
The 0-60 mph has been GPS tested in a a couple of previous reviews and has come in at around 7 seconds on both occasions, this is a weirdly fast car in a straight line.
The Nexen tyres aren't up to the job of controlling torque steer but I hear Michelins are a good replacement and nothing is lost in road noise or efficiency.
If only the price wasn't so high I would still rate the Soul EV highly but Kia have now made this a niche model until the EV4 comes in.

[nicholasrigg]

Battery prices are falling. £39000 is just ridiculous for this.

[robert]

While I don't have a problem with converted gas cars into a EV version. That type of car should never be equally priced as a fully design from the ground up EV. On this model the charging is behind the times imo. One thing to think about with this car and all other cars with unpainted cladding is that the plastic that is black when new will turn to gray ash color with time. The cladding would turn me away from this car.

[nealy]

Not sure what's happening with the Soul, America has got a totally refreshed model but not here??

[bowtoy]

Have they addressed their brake light issue on this vehicle or is it just another Kia? On another channel I learned that Kia decided they don't need brake lights when their cars are decelerating hard in one pedal driving mode cuz nobody needs to know you're slowing down right? Also seems to be an issue with some other brands. But I really got to say calling a car Not terrible. Doesn't seem like a great review in any way. Since you obviously didn't like the car cuz it's a ice conversion you should just say so out loud and be proud of it.

[PotteryLife]

Letting you know in the comments below.

[philmorbey]

Tbh I think both the new niro and this are a bit, well ugly! And charging on the niro is below the expectation now? My Born has a bigger boot, faster charging looks so much better. (Imo)

[Noah_E]

Still less than 300 miles of range, slow charging, and the charge port in the only spot dumber than the center of the roof. Bumpers are designed for bumping. Nothing that needs to work 100% should be in the most likely to be damaged part of a vehicle. Considering how nice the EV6 is, the Soul is a disappointment.

[AuntieBuddie]

No way is it a pootling car. I have really good fun with mine - all types of road.