Kia Motors has unveiled the all-new Soul EV at the 2018 LA Auto Show, a completely new iteration of Kia Soul EV The new model all-electric powertrain features a new liquid-cooled lithium-ion polymer 64 kWh battery pack, with an allegedly improved range over the outgoing model.

Kia Soul EV has improved range, claim Kia, which 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 Kia Soul EV has always provided a comfortable, refined ride, making silent but violent progress. The Soul EV now has 204 ps and 395 Nm of torque (up from 285 Nm in the outgoing model), A new fully-independent rear suspension is designed to improve handling and driving dynamics. However, from our experience, we have always found electric cars to be overly stiff in terms of spring and damper settings. Manufactures do this in an attempt to mask the weight of the battery pack and electric motors which can often be heavier than a conventional ICE engine. 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 Soul EV’s 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. 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. Active safety 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. The new Kia 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.  

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