The third generation of the Kia Soul is on the way for the 2020 model year and it will give us a different look with the same square shape.
Along with the standard gasoline version of this car, we’ll see a new Kia Soul EV offered at the same time. This new electric model is a distinct improvement over the previous version of the Kia Soul EV to offer us more of the driving capabilities that make sense when we get behind the wheel.
Kia gives you the Power You want and an Increase in Range
The previous version of the Kia Soul EV used a 30-kWh battery pack to give you the range you had in this car. The new model will more than double the capacity with the same 64-kWh battery pack that’s found in the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric. This new setup gives you 201 horsepower and 291 lb.-ft. of torque for the drive. This is an amazing increase in power compared to the 109 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque that was found in the second generation of the Soul EV.
Several Driving Modes for You
While we don’t have the official numbers for the range of this new Kia Soul EV, you can expect it to have nearly 258 miles of range, which is what the Hyundai Kona Electric offers. The outgoing Soul EV only gave you 111 miles of driving range. There will be four driving modes for you to choose from when you drive which are Eco, Eco+, Comfort, and Sport. These different modes adjust the powertrain response, HVAC system, and other aspects of the car to give you the driving conditions you need and optimize the efficiency you’re looking for.
A Look that Stands Out from Kia
Compared to the regular Kia Soul, the EV model will have its own set of front and rear bumpers, a charging port, a closed-off grille, LED lights in the unibrow area, and aerodynamically styled 17-inch wheels. There’s a rotary shift knob inside the cabin, a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, several integrated features in this system, and a new Designer Collection trim level that brings you a special two-tone paint scheme, premium upholstery, and heated front seats. This means you can have a lot of what you want to enjoy when you take the Kia Soul EV for a drive.
The Safety Features are Impressive in the new Kia Soul EV
The standard list of active safety features offered in the new Kia Soul EV brings those items that are options on the gasoline-powered version of the Kia Soul. These items include adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Optional safety items for the Soul EV include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and rear parking sensors. This new car will go on sale later next year and be part of the 2020 model year to give you the right EV to drive.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.