As New Model Looms, Kia Drops Bare-bones Soul EV Trim

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

The sound you hear is more range coming to the Kia Soul EV, but it’s not here yet. As such, the electric version of Kia’s shockingly popular Soul remains pretty much unchanged for 2019, with one exception: you can’t get the least expensive version anymore.

For buyers living outside California, this change won’t mess with plans or cost anyone a cent. They couldn’t get their hands on one, anyway.

As noticed by CarsDirect, the Korean automaker has pulled the plug on the Soul EVe in California, leaving buyers in that key green car market with a choice of Base or Plus. Those trims carry MSRPs of $34,845 and $36,845, respectively. The (apparently hard to find) EVe went for $33,145.

Kia only sells its Soul EV in states conforming to California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate, so it doesn’t have blanket coverage. It remains a pretty rare sight. Part of the cute ute’s problem is the range afforded by its small 30 kWh battery pack. At 111 miles, is significantly less that other EVs. Even low-priced electrics now boast a larger driving radius — the second-generation Nissan Leaf, for example, gets 151 miles. Even the bargain basement Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatch is rated at 124 miles. Looks and cargo space are on the Soul’s side, however.

Despite the carryover year, Kia isn’t ignoring the model. A vastly updated Soul EV should appear for the 2020 model year. Recent spy photos taken in Europe show a disguised Soul test vehicle with a range of 437 kilometers displayed on the dash, and that’s with a 92 percent charge. That tentatively puts range at around 500 km, or 311 miles. For comparison, the Hyundai Kona Electric earns a 258-mile rating from the EPA, with the Chevrolet Bolt garnering a 238-mile rating.

[Image: Kia Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • APaGttH APaGttH on Sep 26, 2018

    Why is the popularity so surprising? This is the spiritual successor to the Scion xB and Honda Element.

  • Bd2 Bd2 on Sep 29, 2018

    The current Soul was a decent improvement over the original Soul. The 3G should be an even bigger improvement (not to say the least, the EV model). Getting available AWD would be the kicker (would explain why NA isn't getting the Stonic).

  • Oberkanone My grid hurts!Good luck with installing charger locations at leased locations with aging infrastructure. Perhaps USPS would have better start modernizing it's Post offices to meet future needs. Of course, USPS has no money for anything.
  • Dukeisduke If it's going to be a turbo 4-cylinder like the new Tacoma, I'll pass.BTW, I see lots of Tacomas on the road (mine is a 2013), but I haven't seen any 4th-gen trucks yet.
  • Oberkanone Expect 4Runner to combine best aspects of new Land Cruiser and new Tacoma and this is what I expect from 2025 4Runner.Toyota is REALLY on it's best game recently. Tacoma and Land Cruiser are examples of this.
  • ArialATOMV8 All I hope is that the 4Runner stays rugged and reliable.
  • Arthur Dailey Good. Whatever upsets the Chinese government is fine with me. And yes they are probably monitoring this thread/site.
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