Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
As a cash purchase, the entry-level Kia Soul EV Urban will cost you slightly more than entry-level versions of its rivals, including the Hyundai Kona Electric, Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe. Meanwhile, the well-equipped Explore version looks rather pricey, costing more than its rivals' most expensive versions and even encroaching on the entry-level price of the Skoda Enyaq.
On top of costing more, it’s predicted that the Soul EV will depreciate faster than its rivals, especially in Urban form. As a result, it’s possible that you’ll get more back from your investment in the Soul’s rivals if you decide to sell in three years.
You get plenty of standard equipment with both Soul trim levels, including 17in alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, electronically folding and heated wing mirrors, automatic air conditioning, LED headlights, parking sensors and touchscreen infotainment.
If you want extra toys and a longer range, you’ll want to go for the Explore. Along with the bigger battery, it adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seats, keyless entry and start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, privacy glass and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.
The Soul hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP but both versions come with plenty of safety features, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, lane-keeping assist and a system that monitors the driver’s attention. Upgrading to Explore adds blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert into the mix.
The latest Soul isn't in the 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey but Kia claimed a strong seventh place out of 32 manufacturers, beating every car maker except Lexus, Toyota, Mini, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Suzuki. Every Kia comes with a seven-year or 100,000 mile warranty, which is generous.
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