Kia Soul EV Gen 1

Overview

The 2017 Kia Soul EV Gen 1 is a funky and characterful compact electric warrior, perfect for zipping around town. It brought a dose of personality to the early EV scene with its distinctive boxy looks and surprisingly practical interior. As a first-generation model, it offered an accessible entry into electric motoring. While no longer new, you can snag one on the used market for around $4,991. Its unique style and urban-friendly nature make it a standout choice for those wanting an EV with a bit of flair without breaking the bank.

What's New for 2017?

For 2017, the Kia Soul EV Gen 1 was largely a carryover model, sticking to its successful formula. The main news was a simplification of the trim lineup in the US, making it easier to choose. Kia focused on the value, packing in features that made it a compelling urban EV. While it didn't get massive tech overhauls this year, it continued to offer its established 27 kWh battery and quirky charm. The focus remained on providing a solid, no-nonsense electric experience for city dwellers.

Design & Exterior

The 2017 Soul EV Gen 1 is instantly recognizable with its cool, box-like silhouette that screams personality. It stands 62.7 inches tall, stretches 163 inches long, and is 70.9 inches wide, giving it a confident stance. EV-specific touches include a smoother grille housing the charge ports and unique aero-style wheels, setting it apart from its gas-guzzling siblings. The two-tone paint options often seen on these really make it pop on the road. It’s a design that’s both fun and functional, maximizing interior space.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the 2017 Soul EV Gen 1 offers a surprisingly spacious and airy cabin for its size, often featuring eco-friendly materials. You get a decent 9.9 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a useful 31.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down – though no frunk here, folks. Tech-wise, it typically came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Kia's UVO eServices and navigation. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto weren't on the menu for this model year, the system was straightforward to use.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Soul EV Gen 1 delivers a zippy urban drive thanks to its front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). It packs 81 kW (around 109 hp) and a healthy 210 lb-ft of instant torque, getting you from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 10.8 seconds – plenty for city sprints. The ride is generally comfortable, and its compact size makes it a joy to park. Regenerative braking helps recapture energy, and it's surprisingly nimble through traffic, making it a fun little urban explorer.

Range, Battery & Charging

Rocking a 27 kWh usable battery pack, the 2017 Soul EV Gen 1 offers a real-world range of around 94 miles, as calculated by Green Cars Compare – ideal for daily commutes and city errands. It sips energy at about 3.48 mi/kWh. For charging, its standard 6.6 kW on-board AC charger will juice it up fully in about 4-5 hours. Need a quicker boost? It supports DC fast charging up to 50 kW via its CHAdeMO port (alongside a Type 1 J1772 for AC), getting you to 80% in around 30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While a specific NHTSA rating for the 2017 Soul EV is elusive, its gasoline counterpart generally scored well, and the Euro NCAP gave the EV a solid 4-star rating. Standard kit usually included a rearview camera, essential for its boxy shape. You might find features like parking sensors on some models, but advanced driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise or lane-keeping assist weren't commonly available on this early-generation EV. It covered the safety basics well for its time, focusing on core protective features.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new, Kia backed the 2017 Soul EV with a fantastic warranty: a 5-year/60,000-mile basic coverage and an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the EV system components, including the battery. This long battery warranty provided great peace of mind for early adopters. Maintenance is typically minimal for EVs – no oil changes here! Just keep an eye on tires, brakes, and cabin filters. Kia's reliability reputation further sweetened the deal for this pioneering electric box on wheels.