Kia was one of the first manufacturers to bring an affordable EV to market with the first Soul back in 2016. With a competitive range, generous standard equipment, and a relaxing driving experience, the Soul EV is efficient but also a bit different. Among the Soul EV’s main rivals are other small electric SUVs and hatchbacks, such as the Peugeot e-2008, Vauxhall Mokka Electric, and Hyundai Kona Electric. While some rivals offer larger boots or slightly more up-to-date interiors, the Soul EV distinguishes itself with its quirky styling and strong equipment levels, making it a solid contender despite the growing competition.
The Kia Soul EV delivers impressive range and a genuinely fun driving experience, wrapped up in neat, practical packaging. Its quirky looks and high equipment levels make it a good value choice for those seeking an electric car that’s a bit different, but also brilliantly useful.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioBrand-new prices for the Kia Soul EV started from £39,075 for the ‘Urban’ trim, rising to just over £41,000 for the top-spec ‘Explore’ when the model was withdrawn in late 2024. On the used market, early 2020–2021 models can be found from as little as £12,500 on AA Cars, making them a tempting used buy – especially when you consider they will retain the balance of a seven-year warranty and have proven reliability.
The Kia Soul EV is offered solely as a pure electric vehicle, equipped with a 64kWh battery and a 201bhp electric motor driving the front wheels. There was also a short-lived 39 kWh version in some markets, but almost all UK cars are the higher-spec, long-range version. Acceleration is brisk, with 0-62 mph attained in around 7.9 seconds, and the instant torque makes urban driving feel lively and effortless. The WLTP-rated range of up to 280 miles per charge is one of the strongest in its class. As with all EVs, real-world range will vary depending on driving style, conditions, and use of convenience features like heating and the ambient temperature.
The Soul EV is an easy car to drive, with light steering and good visibility as a result of its high seating position. The suspension is tuned with a focus on comfort, with the car soaking up potholes and rough roads well, though the boxy shape can mean a bit more wind noise at higher speeds. That said, it’s still quite entertaining on a sweeping A-road. On the motorway, it’s quiet and refined other than the aforementioned wind noise, while around town, its compact footprint and tight turning circle make it easy to manoeuvre.
A low-mounted battery helps keep the centre of gravity close to the ground, improving stability and making it feel composed through corners. While not as sporty as some petrol rivals, it’s predictable and safe, with strong grip and well-weighted brakes, while the light steering is a little vague but never completely devoid of feedback. The ride remains comfortable even on longer journeys, though some may find it a touch unsettled on broken surfaces.
and Features Interior The Soul EV’s cabin is spacious and airy, with plenty of headroom as a result of that tall body shape. The upright shape also benefits rear passengers with generous leg and headroom, and ISOFIX points are fitted to the outer rear seats, though it can feel a bit snug with three rear passengers. For its size, though, it’s a spacious car. The dashboard features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital instrument cluster. Materials feel robust, and most surfaces are soft-touch, with fabric or faux-leather upholstery depending on trim.
and practicality The boot offers 315 litres of space, expanding to 1,339 litres with the seats folded, though the floor is relatively high due to the location of the battery. Cabin storage is thoughtfully designed, with a range of useful compartments throughout. The centre console offers a spacious cubby and cupholders, while door bins are generously sized for bottles and personal items. There’s also a glovebox, handy trays for phones or keys, and seatback pockets for rear passengers, ensuring plenty of places to stow everyday essentials.
Standard equipment is generous, with all models including climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, LED lighting, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start, and a host of driver assistance technologies. Higher trims add features like faux-leather, a premium sound system, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display. Over-the-air software updates keep the system up to date.
The UK Soul EV range comprises the ‘Urban’ and ‘Explore’ trims. Both feature alloy wheels, LED lighting, and high levels of standard kit, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start, and a suite of driver assistance features such as lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking. The Urban trim offers fabric upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and camera, and a digital instrument cluster. Meanwhile, the Explore trim adds larger 18-inch alloy wheels, faux-leather upholstery, a premium sound system, wireless phone charging, a head-up display, and additional tech such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Explore trim also benefits from extra ambient lighting and enhanced connectivity options, providing a more luxurious and high-tech driving experience. Colour options range from classic white and black to vibrant metallics such as Neptune Blue and Inferno Red, helping the Soul EV make its rivals look a little staid by comparison.
The Kia Soul EV was assessed by Euro NCAP in 2019 and achieved an impressive five-star overall safety rating. The percentage scores in the main categories were 91% for Adult Occupant Protection, 85% for Child Occupant Protection, 70% for Vulnerable Road Users (pedestrian safety), and 75% for Safety Assist. These strong results reflect the Soul EV’s comprehensive standard safety equipment, which includes multiple airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The car’s excellent reliability record so far is further supported by Kia’s seven-year warranty, providing owners with peace of mind.
As a fully electric vehicle, the Soul EV produces zero tailpipe emissions. It achieves efficiency figures of 3.5-4.0 miles per kWh, which is pretty decent, giving a real-world range between 180-250 miles depending on conditions. Charging from 10–80% with a 100 kW rapid charger takes around 45 minutes, while a full charge at home on a 7.2 kW wallbox takes about 9 hours, so it’s not as quick to top-up as some more modern EVs. The Soul EV qualifies for the lowest VED rates with a first-year charge of £10 and is exempt from the Expensive Car Supplement. Road tax after year one is currently £195 per year. Insurance groups are reasonable, sitting between 21–23. Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty covers the car and the battery, and is one of the best aftercare packages on the market, as well as being fully transferrable to the car’s next owner.
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