Video Summary
The Kia Soul EV is a funny-shaped hatchback about the same size as a VW Golf or Hyundai Kona, but a bit more boxy.The tall roof means you can spot it easily in a busy car park.
There is space for five people, but the middle seat isn't huge.
The boot is a decent size, great for small dogs but not for a Great Dane.
There are three versions of the Kia Soul EV: the original 2014 model with a 27kWh battery and 124 miles of range, a revised 2018 model with a slightly bigger 30kWh battery and 155 miles of range, and the 2020 onward model with a 64kWh battery and 280 miles of range.
Check what battery the used car has.
The 2020 model has squinty front lights, a hoop light at the rear, and a plush interior.
Older Souls have a CHAdeMO charging port in the nose.
The earlier versions of the Soul come with less power; they are swift but not fast and accelerate well up to 50 mph.
The 2014 Soul EV was pretty well equipped and came with one grade, so there were no options to choose from.
It had an upgraded dash compared to the internal combustion engine version, along with an 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone air conditioning, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, a reverse camera, and keyless entry.
The newer Souls have a bigger battery, more performance, longer range, and more convenience to use.
Souls, like most electric cars, are very reliable.
The older ones came with a 5-year transferable warranty, and the newer ones had 7 years and various other guarantees.
Electric cars still need servicing; they just don’t need it quite as much.
The older cars might have had some battery degradation.
You can charge the early Souls quickly on public rapid chargers; from 10 to 80% in just 20 minutes.
Overall, there's not much to say about the interior design besides that it is generally user friendly.
However, if you are up for spending a little bit more money, a lightly used new shape Kia Soul, is a brilliant little electric car with a massive range, well-equipped.
If you just need a commuter car for driving to work it might just work.
