Overview of the 2023 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle
Kia Motors aims to attract young, eco-conscious buyers with the 2023 Soul EV, an all-electric variant of their popular budget-friendly crossover. This fun, quirky hatchback promises up to 238 miles of emissions-free driving range and a high-tech interior packed with the latest gadgets.
Priced below $37,000 after tax credits, the zippy Soul EV combines practicality with an affordable price. Let‘s examine how it drives, charges, hauls cargo, and stacks up against electric competitors.
Kia‘s History of Hybrid and Electric Car Making
Founded in 1944 Korea as a bicycle parts manufacturer, Kia produced its first passenger vehicle three decades later with the Brisa compact sedan. Despite gaining market share globally through the 90s and 2000s, mounting debt forced the company into bankruptcy. Rival automaker Hyundai acquired a controlling stake in 1998.
The takeover enabled a corporate restructuring and infusion of cash for product development. Kia‘s design and vehicle quality improved dramatically over 10 years. New models like the Sportage SUV and Optima sedan drove steady sales increases in multiple markets.
In 2011, rising fuel costs and emissions standards motivated Kia to launch its first gas-electric hybrid model, the Optima Hybrid sedan. This vehicle combined a 166 hp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with a 40 hp electric motor powered by lightweight lithium polymer batteries.
Buoyed by solid demand for their initial hybrid, Kia expanded into pure battery electric vehicles in 2014‘s Soul EV. The debut Soul EV offered around 90 miles range from a 27 kWh battery – rather modest for an EV even then. But it paved the way for a second-generation Soul EV with nearly triple the range arriving in 2020.
Soul EV Historical Sales Figures
Over 42,000 Soul EVs have been delivered in America already. Sales dipped during 2021‘s supply chain shortages before rebounding last year. With attractive improvements for 2023 like faster charging and longer range, Kia hopes to eclipse 2018-2019‘s 10k+ per annum sales figures in coming years.
Clearly the car buying public responded enthusiastically to their initial electric offering here in the States. But how does this revamped Soul EV stack up versus rivals?
Detailed Specifications: 2023 Kia Soul EV vs E-GMP Electric Vehicles
Hyundai Motor Group, parent company to both Hyundai and Kia brands, developed a proprietary Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) specifically for battery electric vehicles. The 2023 Kia Soul EV compares favorably against two other affordable E-GMP-based compact EVs sold globally:
| Spec | 2023 Soul EV | 2022 Hyundai Kona | 2023 Ioniq 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Motor(s) | 1 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor | 1 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor | 1 or 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors |
| Battery Capacity | 39 or 64 kWh | 39.2 or 64 kWh | 58 or 77.4 kWh |
| Horsepower (hp) | 201 to 235 hp | 201 hp | 225 or 320 hp |
| Torque | 291 lb-ft | 291 lb-ft | 258 or 446 lb-ft |
| Max Range (mi) | 154 to 238 mi | 258 mi | 303 to 303 mi |
| Charge Speed | 7.2 kW / 50 kW | 7.2 kW / 50 kW | 10.9 kW / 350 kW |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph | 7.9s – 9.2s | 7.9s | 4.7s – 8s |
Comparing technical specifications, the Soul EV aligns closer with the compact Hyundai Kona EV. Both make use of a 64 kWh Lithium Ion battery pack powering a rear axle-mounted electric motor with roughly 200 horsepower output. The new Ioniq 5 offers all-wheel drive and significantly quicker acceleration in certain dual-motor configurations.
Pricewise the Soul EV and Kona EV again align closely around $40,000 starting MSRP before incentives. The Ioniq 5 costs considerably more at over $50,000 as equipped by most dealers though.
Clearly amongst the E-GMP lineup, the zippy little Soul EV seems tailored more for budget-conscious singles and young urban families rather than performance buffs or road trippers.
Exterior: Design Language Retains Iconic Boxy Shape
Like its gas-powered namesake, the Soul EV sports a chunky, angular silhouette for 2023. Five doors ensure easy passenger and cargo access, while a tapering roof culminating in a lip spoiler lends style to the hatchback rear.
Squint your eyes a bit though and the Soul EV almost resembles a toaster oven on wheels. Love it or hate it, the funky styling stands out from traditional rounded crossover shapes. Fender flares, contrasting paint accents, projector headlamps and 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels jazz up the small but boxy footprint.
Seven eye-catching colors are offered for 2023 including Caribbean Blue, Spring Green, and my personal favorite, Splashy Blue. A white floating roof provides two-tone contrast on several paint choices. Overall, while it certainly won‘t win any styling awards, the Soul EV‘s chunky lines reflect its practical urban commuter mission.
Interior: Surprising Roominess in a Retro Cabin
The Soul EV‘s interior presents a clean, uncluttered layout with many surfaces finished in eco-friendly materials. Available synthetic leather trim in black or light gray adds durability and visual appeal. Cabin dimensions allow comfortable seating five adults without feeling cramped.
For 2023 Kia redesigned the dashboard to float the 10.25 inch touchscreen display more prominently. The crisp infotainment screen and intuitive controls should appear instantly familiar to most drivers. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration allows dashboard integration of your smartphone. Qi-compatible phones charge conveniently on the dash pad too.
Buttons for critical functions like volume and tuning remain separate from touch menus, enabling eyes-free operation while driving. Closeable vents, wide door pockets, double-deck storage shelf, and smooth, easy-clean surfaces make living with the Soul EV daily hassle-free.
In back, a flat floor allows comfortable foot room even for center seated passengers. Rear leg room measures over 36 inches, comparing favorably against compact crossovers like Honda‘s HR-V or Toyota‘s CH-R. For cargo, fold the 60/40 rear seatbacks down to carry oversized items.
Powertrain: Zippy Acceleration Meets 247 Mile Range
Underneath the Soul EV you‘ll find a state-of-the-art drivetrain engineered specifically for battery electric power. Available in two flavors, an iron-phosphate 39.2 kWh battery feeds current to a permanent magnet electric motor at the rear axle. This power team sees duty in the Soul EV Premium model.
Alternately, upgrading to the Soul EV Limited swaps in a nickel cobalt manganese 64 kWh battery mated up with a more powerful Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor. Horsepower climbs from 201 ponies in the Premium to 235 horsepower for brisk acceleration. Varying driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sport – let you tailor throttle response to conditions.
So equipped, you can hustle the boxy Soul EV Limited from 0 to 60 mph in around seven and a half seconds – not blistering but wholly adequate for city driving or highway merging maneuvers. The electronically-limited top speed sits around 105 miles per hour – not that I recommend sustained triple digit runs in any EV!
Energy flow visualization on the display lets drivers monitor acceleration, braking, and charging rates in real time. Kia engineered the chassis for stability and surprisingly agile handling given its tall, narrow dimensions. Daily commutes transform into fun-to-drive excursions behind the wheel of the new Soul EV.
Range and Charging: Leveraging Speedier 800V DC Hardware
Speaking of those workweek commutes, Kia quotes the 2023 Soul EV Premium with a 154 mile driving range. However the Limited model packs 64 kWh of storage, allowing an impressive 247 mile range rating by the EPA. Remember cold winter weather can reduce max range by 10-25% depending on road conditions.
The Soul EV‘s new ECO pack supports both 400V and 800V DC fast charging. An integrated 7.2 kW Level 2 charger fully replenishes either battery from empty overnight on a 240V home or public Level 2 charging station. I recommend installing a compatible NEMA 14-50 outlet in your garage for ultimate convenience.
With the availability of more modern 800V hardware, the 64 kWh battery LOCATED?? gains the ability to add 140+ miles range in under an hour at 50kW DC fast charging stations. As America‘s fast charging networks expand exponentially, Kia owners gain additional options for rapid refueling during regional trips.
Utilizing the free charging partnership with nationwide EVgo stations, Soul EV drivers get complimentary 30 minute fast charge sessions over five years. That perk provides yet another avenue for affordable road trip refueling along busy corridors around the country.
Safety & Technology: Packed With Driving Aids
Modern vehicles live or die by the cleverness of their onboard technology. Here too the zippy Soul EV Limited delivers the goods, with a robust suite ofinf comment hereotainment functionality and driving assistance features.
Let‘s dig into the highlights:
- 10.25" HD color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Eight-speaker Harman-Kardon premium audio
- AM/FM/SiriusXM satellite/HD radio
- Wireless phone charger for Qi-compatible handsets
- 5 USB data ports distributed front/rear
- Bluetooth handsfree calling & audio streaming
- Full-color rear camera with dynamic parking guidelines
- Remote start heating & A/C activation via app
On the safety front every Soul EV comes equipped with six airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability management. Rain-sensing wipers increase visibility during downpours while auto headlamps eliminate worrying about switching manually day or night.
These driving aids further reduce accident risk:
- Forward Collision Avoidance – Automatically brakes if closing rate on vehicle ahead is too high
- Driver Attention Warning – Alerts you if driving patterns indicate fatigue/distraction
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist – Detects approaching perpendicular traffic at intersections
- Lane Following / Lane Keeping Assist – Subtly steers Soul EV back into proper lane
Add in the lowered center of gravity from 700+ pounds of underfloor battery and the Soul EV rates among the safest affordable compact EVs available.
Bottom Line: Quirky Soul EV Delivers Great Range & Value
Looking across the landscape of electric vehicles today, I give the 2023 Kia Soul EV high marks for value. $43,000 before discounts buys you 238 miles max range, ample passenger room and modern tech in a fashionable little package. Zippy acceleration, compact dimensions and 36+ cubic feet of cargo room make the Soul EV shine as city transportation.
While plainer and less prestigious inside than a BMW i3 or Volvo C40 Recharge on offer around $55,000+, the Kia presents a more budget-friendly proposition. And crucially, available 50 kW 800V DC fast charging enables lengthy road trips with only brief hourly charging stops.
Of course quirky ‘love it or hate it‘ looks and cheaper interior plastics remind shoppers of the Kia‘s practical compact car mission. But for penny-pinching urban commuters or small families, this affordable long-range EV checks all the right boxes. Test drive a 2023 Soul EV soon at your local dealer!
Do you own an earlier Soul EV? Share your ownership experiences in the comments below!
