Kia Motors has unveiled the all-new Soul EV at the 2018 LA Auto Show, a completely new iteration of Kia’s award-winning zero-emissions compact crossover. The new model is just as quirky, fun-loving and crowd-pleasing as ever, and with its all-electric powertrain, lovers of the Soul need never visit another filling station ever again.
High-capacity next-generation battery pack
The Soul EV features a new cutting-edge liquid-cooled lithium-ion polymer 64 kWh battery pack, with a vastly improved range over the outgoing model. This improved range means significantly less need for daily recharging – and a Combined Charging System (CCS) DC fast-charge, fitted as standard, means shorter stops and rapid battery charging.
The Soul EV is currently being tested to ascertain its estimated range, with the overall battery range due to be announced early in 2019.
Driving dynamics: more fun than ever
The Soul EV has always provided a comfortable, refined ride, making silent progress with seemingly effortless pull. Now, with 204 ps and 395 Nm of torque (up from 285 Nm in the outgoing model), the car accelerates even more strongly. Handling and driving dynamics are also much improved, thanks to the adoption of new fully-independent rear suspension. The Soul EV also provides plenty of tools for drivers to customise their driving experience and their battery usage, with four drive modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Eco+ – which automatically adjust power output to the traction motor. The driving modes also control the level of regenerative braking on offer, air conditioning and heating settings, and enable drivers to set speed limits to help manage operating efficiency in different driving conditions.
The Soul EV’s smart regenerative braking is operated via paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, providing drivers with the ability to slow the car and capture more kinetic energy, adding extra range. Drivers can choose from four regenerative braking levels (0 to 3), depending on desired driving smoothness, enjoyment and efficiency. The regenerative braking system also features a ‘Brake and Hold’ system, which enables drivers to use the paddle shifters to bring the car to a full stop while harvesting kinetic energy.
In addition, the smart regenerative braking system adjusts the braking level based on a vehicle being detected in front of the Soul EV, creating smoother coast-down driving, especially when descending a steep road.
The system is paired with a Smart Eco Pedal Guide display on the instrument cluster, which keeps the driver aware of real-time battery usage based on accelerator pedal input.
Soul EV design highlights
The Soul EV boasts an all-new exterior design that stays true to the car’s boxy origins – a distinctive look beloved by legions of fans around the world. The Soul EV is built with the same architecture, but is imbued with unique styling, providing it with a flair of its own.
The Soul EV features restyled front and rear bumpers, for a smoother, more aerodynamic appearance. It features a solid insert in place of the conventional Soul’s front grille, with a door housing the charging socket conveniently located on the driver’s side. The Soul EV’s unique LED headlamps are strikingly integrated into the upper ‘brow’ of the front of the car, which itself extends the full width of the car for a wide, stable appearance. The EV’s ‘face’ is finished with unique fog lamps, while, in profile, the zero-emissions Soul gets its own five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheel design, distinct from other models in the Soul line-up.
Technology befitting a thoroughly modern vehicle
The Soul EV comes equipped with a long list of advanced features to enhance safety, improve the driving experience and provide ease of operation and ownership.
Depending on market, the Soul EV is available with a suite of Kia’s advanced driver-assistance systems, and a long list of standard and optional equipment.
In-cabin technology includes a high-tech ‘shift-by-wire’ rotary shifter, while the Soul’s infotainment system is based on a 10.25-inch colour touchscreen with rear-view monitor and parking guidance. The infotainment package is supported by Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, as well as Bluetooth® wireless connectivity with voice recognition. The system is paired with a six-speaker audio system with USB input and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.
Safety is a major focus for all new Kia models, and the Soul EV is no exception. Depending on market, the car is fitted with up to seven airbags (dual front air bags, dual front seat-mounted side air bags, side curtain air bags with rollover sensor, and a driver’s side knee air bag), as well as a suite of vehicle safety systems. These include anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic stability control, hill-start assist control, pedestrian warning system and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Active safety is just as important, with the Soul available with a range of advanced driver-assistance systems, depending on market. Available systems include Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Collision Warning (BSW), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (available) and Reverse Parking Distance Warning.
Unique to the Soul EV is a revamped ‘UVO’ telematics system, allowing owners to monitor and control a long range of vehicle operations. Drivers have access to notifications of battery and charging status, real-time charging station updates and scheduled charging functionality. Panic notifications enable the vehicle to send an alert to the server if the panic alarm is triggered, dialling emergency services and providing the car’s position via GPS – this opens a live microphone so that emergency workers can communicate with vehicle occupants. The UVO telematics systems also offers ‘Send2Car’ points of interest (POI) and waypoint functionality, allowing owners to plan a route or road trip with waypoints, and send it directly to the Soul EV’s navigation system.
Buyers in some European countries can choose from two trims*, the Soul EV and the Soul EV Designer Collection. Commensurate with its elevated status within the Soul EV line-up, the Designer Collection model offers everything from the standard Soul EV, plus a series of additional features. These include a two-tone exterior paint scheme (Gravity Grey with a Platinum Gold roof, Cherry Black with an Inferno Red roof, or Neptune Blue with a Cherry Black roof), as well as power-folding heated, power-adjustable door mirrors with signal repeater, finished in gloss-black. Inside, Designer Collection models feature a 10-speaker Harman-Kardon premium audio system with external amplifier, a wireless phone charger and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. A leather-wrapped steering wheel completes the interior, alongside heated front seats trimmed in Sofino® premium non-animal seating upholstery.
Made in Korea and on-sale in Europe in 2019
Built at the Gwangju plant in Korea, the new Soul EV goes on sale in the US and Europe in the first half of 2019, with Kia’s global markets to follow. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Information regarding the all-New Soul EV’s price, specification and on-sale date in the UK will be distributed later in 2019.