Kia e-Niro vs Kia Soul EV: practicality
The Kia e-Niro is a former What Car? Car of the Year and remains an excellent choice if you're looking to go electric. But is the same brand's new Soul EV even better?...
Space and practicality
Front space, rear space, seating flexibility, boot
The Soul may be a shorter car, but it feels just as spacious as the e-Niro up front; whether you have broad shoulders, long legs or are long in the body, you should fit just fine.
There’s also plenty of room for six-footers in the back of both, but it's actually the Soul that has the advantage, offering quite a bit more head room and marginally more knee room. Meanwhile, three adults sitting side by side in either car will experience a bit of shoulder chafing, but there's plenty of foot space for all.
Luggage space is also a close-run thing, although it doesn’t look like it on paper. At 315 litres beneath the load cover, the Soul’s boot isn’t just much smaller than the e-Niro’s (451 litres), but barely any larger than a Ford Fiesta’s. However, in reality, the Soul’s boot is a tall and very usable shape, which, if packed correctly, can swallow six carry-on suitcases to the e-Niro's five.
You also get a height-adjustable boot floor as standard, creating a handy separate storage area beneath the main compartment. But the e-Niro's boot remains the one that will suit you better if you need length and can remove the load cover; for example, to transport a mountain dog.
In terms of flexibility, it’s a little disappointing that both cars have 60/40 split folding rear seats rather than the more handy 40/20/40 configuration found in the Mini Countryman and Skoda Karoq.
Kia e-Niro
Boot 451 litres Suitcases 5
Kia Soul EV
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