2016 Kia Soul EV Review

OVERALL RATING 4.1 of 5.0
  • Performance
    3.2 of 5.0
  • Cost of Ownership
    4.7 of 5.0
  • Interior
    4.4 of 5.0
  • Reliability
    4.0 of 5.0
24 Aug 2016
0

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most recent automotive manufacturing trend. Electric vehicles (EVs) are excellent eco-friendly vehicles for the modern, environmentally conscious person. Commuters make up the majority of those who own an EV. They drive almost every day to work and wish to reduce their carbon footprint. With the proliferation of (fast) charging stations, an increasing number of people see the EV as a viable option. Which of the following electric vehicles do we recommend? The Kia Soul EV, for example, would be a good option. Unlike most EVs, the 2016 Kia Soul EV is a crossover, which is the most popular type of vehicle.

Exterior design

In terms of appearance, the 2016 Kia Soul EV is a carbon copy of the regular Kia Soul. The quirky box shape is reminiscent of the previous Kia Soul. This is a low-cost vehicle that appears to be enjoyable to drive! The Soul has been updated for 2016 with more glass and larger windows. The front of the car now has a larger grille, behind which the EV’s electric socket is hidden. The lower air vents have vanished into the front bumper, giving the vehicle a more relaxed appearance.

The 2016 Kia Soul EV has the same overall shape as the regular Kia Soul. The available colors differ from the standard Kia Soul in that they can be uniform or one of three options for a contrasting roof and mirrors. The wheels are also different from the standard Soul, and they look a lot more modern.

Interior design

The exterior’s newness permeates the interior of the 2016 Kia Soul EV. Unlike the standard Soul, the entire interior is a light taupe color with a few lovely touches of white. The 8-inch center console with a 9-inch LCD screen looks like it belongs in a concept car. It’s just right.

Leg room in the back seat is slightly less than in the regular Kia Soul. Because the car’s battery is located on the floor, this does not account for any additional space loss. For more cargo space, the rear seats can be completely folded down.

The Sun & Fun Package adds a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, and speaker lights that pulse to the beats of the six-speaker audio system to the ecocar Soul EV.

Engine specs

The electric motor in the 2016 Kia Soul EV can produce up to 109 horsepower. The battery is a 27 kWh lithium ion polymer, which is among the best in its class. The Kia Soul provides accurate battery percentage statistics. It has a range of 130 to 145 kilometers (80 to 90 miles) before needing to be recharged. As is common in electric vehicles, the transmission is a single-speed front-wheel drive system.

Recharging is possible via a level 1, level 2, or CHadeMo DC fast-charging port. Charging time is approximately 24 hours on a 120-volt outlet, 4 to 5 hours on a 240-volt outlet, and 30 minutes to 80 percent at a public DC fast-charge station.

Tech Specs

The 2016 Kia Soul EV includes navigation, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and UVO EV services as standard equipment. This app keeps track of the battery percentage, the distance to discharge, the charging status, and can locate nearby charging stations. The UVO EV Services app allows you to turn on the air conditioning in the Soul EV from anywhere.

The braking and air conditioning systems have been designed to draw as little energy from the battery as possible. It can also return unused energy to the battery, reducing the impact on battery life.

The 2016 Kia Soul EV is extremely quiet. As a result, the car makes a sound to warn pedestrians that there is a car nearby. When the car travels slower than 10 mph (20 km/h), the sound is produced.

Price

The 2016 Kia Soul EV starts at $31,950 before tax incentives (a maximum income tax deduction of $7,500) and is available in California, Oregon, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Georgia.

Finally, depending on where you buy it, the Kia Soul EV starts at €30,000 in Europe.