Kia’s First Edition has music in its Soul
The all-new Soul EV is a front runner packed with wonderful electrickery, says Carmel Stewart
Many moons ago when life was for living and driving was fun, Kia introduced the funky little Soul onto the market. Designed in California, it was available in a number of snazzy trims -
Samba, Shaker and Burner among them. At that time - 2009 - the boxy, front wheel drive Soul crossover was in a class of its own, now in First Edition trim only, it is at the vanguard of Kia’s all-electric line-up.
The Korean-built vehicle retains its comforting solid stance, big wheel arches, s qu a re rea r e n d , rou n d e d f ro nt , h i g h wa i s t a n d s pacious interior with is 315 litre boot space but loses its fossil fuel power trains and adds a mass of 21 st century technology which enhances what was always a thoroughly pleasant driving experience.
Electrically powered with zero emissions, it runs on a 62Kw motor with a maximum power output of 201bhp at 3,800-8,000rpm and can reach 60mph from a standing start in 7.6 seconds but, unless you are retraining as a getaway driver, that’s rarely going to be necessary.
Range anxiety almost eliminated by the 280mile capacity boosted by regenerative braking and, even should you get ‘caught short’, a swift 54-minute service station charge will give an 80 per cent lift.
The multi-purpose charging kit allows for charging at home via a three-pin domestic plug as well as at higher-powered service station points.
As well as being comfortable and composed on the road, the Soul EV is exceptionally communicative from the ping ping on ignition, the reversing purr, and the ping ping on switching off - it stays in tune all day.
On the road, it is a thoroughly engaging vehicle. Being an automatic it is very easy to drive –the engaging part comes with the dials and graphics displayed in the hooded area in front of the steering wheel.
The instrumentation constantly updates the driver and all the small children on board as to the remaining range and the nearest charging points – far more than you might imagine.
It also gives updates on performance according the driving modes –normal, eco and dynamic. For the first time in my life I was classified as 98 per cent normal.
The remaining two percent was flagged up as dynamic. I’ll take that any day. The only big downer is the price - £34,295 - which is a bit of an ouch no matter how deep your pockets.
Needless to say, there are always deals to be done and finance plans available but, even so, it is a hefty output.
However, given the direction the world of motoring is taking, this might be a good time to bite the bullet and make that investment, especially as the First Edition trim is packed to the gunnels w i th h i - te c h / lu xu r y go o d - ies – Bluetooth, smartphone connectivity, leather interior, heated seats, head up display, wireless smartphone charger, 10-speaker Harmon/Kardon sound system, reversing sensors and camera as well as a host of driving aids and Kia’s unrivalled seven-year warranty which also covers the car’s electric motor and battery pack.