2020 Kia Soul EV first drive review: More fashion, greater variety, greater a laugh

In the past few months, we’ve examined Kia’s new Niro EV and the emblem-new 2020 Soul. Both cars are superb. These are two of the maximum likable merchandise in Kia’s US lineup. Combine the attractive attributes of each, and also, you get the 2020 Soul EV. By now, you’ve possibly got the 2020 Kia Soul visible, with its sparkling take on the version’s boxy design. The small light factors and sharper edges give the Soul greater shrink appeal, and the upright hatchback most effectively grows marginally in this new generation.

Every Soul EV gets the full-LED front lighting treatment from the gas-powered GT-Line trim. That approach LED headlights included up pinnacle, while larger openings flanking the grille house the foglights and flip alerts — again, all LED. Around again, the Soul EV receives LED taillamps and a small “Eco Electric” badge on the lowest proper corner of the hatch. All Soul EVs experience model-unique, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/fifty-five-collection Nexen N’Priz AH8 all-season tires. Like the ordinary Soul, the EV could be had several color alternatives, such as seven-tone alternatives.

fashion

Inside, the EV replaces the usual Soul’s tools lever with a shift-with-wire electronic unit aid, just like what you get within the Niro EV. It takes a little bit of getting used to but it isn’t hard. Aside from that, the two Souls’ interiors are quite similar, with identical comfortable seats, masses of head- and legroom, and exceptional healthy-and-end in the course of, even on my preproduction test vehicle. N the infotainment front, the EV receives the same 10.2-inch touchscreen as different Soul models, walking Kia’s state-of-the-art UVO software. Navigation is general, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cut-up-screen setup is tremendously clean to apply without a lag in reaction while you press icons or swipe via monitors. It’s no longer the prettiest device available. Still, absolutely everyone at Roadshow constantly praises UVO for being so darn clean, and the brand-new Soul EV’s setup is not any special.

Because of the battery packaging, the EV offers up a bit of cargo potential compared to the normal Soul, but with its form approach, this hatchback is still massed functional. Official US specs have not been released yet, but beneath the German VDA measuring gadget, the 2020 Soul EV is said to have forty-seven. Three cubic ft of bag space with the rear seats folded. The US-favored SAE measurement will possibly be a touch better toward the 49.5 cubic feet of the closing-era Soul EV. Yes, the 2020 Soul is a touch bit bigger than its predecessor. However, the EV’s battery has also grown notably, so it takes up extra room below the cargo floor.

The larger battery in query is the 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion unit from the Niro EV — a big improvement from the 27-kWh percent that powered the antique Soul EV. An electric-powered motor sends 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a single-speed transmission, making the 2020 Soul EV quick. Kia estimates a 7.6-second dash to sixty-two miles according to an hour. With all that immediate electric-powered torque prepared to head in seconds be aware, this issue certainly scoots.

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