Kia Soul EV Gen 2

Overview

The 2019 Kia Soul EV, in its "Gen 2" guise (referring to the updated first-gen model), is a funky and distinctive compact electric SUV that carved out a niche with its boxy charm. Perfect for city slickers, its standout design still turns heads. Though discontinued, it represents an accessible entry into EV ownership on the used market, with this particular version from 2017-2019 typically priced around €10,900 used in Europe. It’s all about that unique personality combined with zero-emission urban motoring, making it a cool, budget-friendly choice for zipping around town.

What's New for 2019?

For the 2019 model year, this "Gen 2" Kia Soul EV carried forward the significant upgrade introduced in 2017: a punchier 30 kWh (usable) battery pack. This boosted its real-world legs compared to the very first Soul EVs, making it more practical for daily duties. While 2019 marked the end of this generation's production run before an all-new Soul EV arrived, it represented the most refined version of this pioneering electric box on wheels. Think of it as the final polish on a much-loved, quirky EV hero, ready for its next adventure.

Design & Exterior

This Soul EV Gen 2 screams personality with its unmistakable boxy silhouette – a design that’s both cool and incredibly practical. It’s got that urban warrior stance, measuring 4140 mm long, 1800 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1593 mm tall. Up front, the signature "tiger-nose" grille is often blanked off for better aero, flanked by distinctive headlights. Unique alloy wheel designs and available two-tone paint schemes further amplified its funky character on European streets, making sure you wouldn't mistake it for anything else. It’s a proper head-turner, this one!

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the 2019 Soul EV Gen 2, and you're greeted by an surprisingly airy and upright cabin, a direct benefit of that boxy shape. Materials are generally robust, with Kia often highlighting eco-friendly touches. Passenger space is generous for a compact car, easily seating five. For your kit, there's 281 litres of boot space, expanding to a handy 891 litres with the rear seats tumbled. Tech-wise, expect a responsive touchscreen infotainment system, likely with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to keep you connected. No frunk here, though!

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect warp speed, but the Soul EV Gen 2 is plenty nippy for city sprints, zipping from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 11.2 seconds. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) churns out 81 kW of power and a solid 285 Nm of instant torque, all sent to the front wheels. The driving experience is smooth, quiet, and incredibly easy, making it a doddle to navigate tight urban jungles. Ride comfort is generally good, and selectable regenerative braking modes help you claw back some precious kilometres. Effortless electric motoring, that's the ticket!

Range, Battery & Charging

This Soul EV Gen 2 packs a 30 kWh (usable) battery, good for a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 179 km – decent for daily commutes. Its efficiency is rated at a tidy 5.97 km/kWh. For juicing up, the standard 6.6 kW on-board AC charger will fill it from empty in about 4.5-5 hours. Need a quicker zap? It supports DC fast charging at up to 50 kW via its CHAdeMO port, getting you to 80% in roughly 30-40 minutes. The AC charging uses a Type 1 (J1772) connector, as specified for this European market model.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

The Kia Soul EV achieved a respectable 4-star rating from Euro NCAP, offering good peace of mind for its occupants. For a 2019 model of its class, standard safety kit included multiple airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and often a reversing camera to make parking a breeze. While not typically brimming with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, some versions or optional packs could include features like lane departure warnings. Always verify the specific car's equipment, as parking sensors were also commonly found to assist with city navigation.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Kia has long been a warranty champion in Europe, and the Soul EV Gen 2 typically benefited from their fantastic 7-year/150,000 km basic vehicle warranty. Crucially, this often extended to the battery pack, usually with a similar duration and mileage limit, plus a state-of-health guarantee (e.g., 70%). Powertrain components were covered under this comprehensive umbrella. Being an EV, maintenance is generally simpler and cheaper than its petrol or diesel counterparts, with fewer moving parts to worry about, making it a sensible long-term proposition on the used market.