2018 Kia Soul EV Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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After three years of being on the market, Kia has given their electric-only model, the Soul EV, a refresh for the 2018 model year.
The big news is that Kia has increased the capacity of the lithium-ion polymer battery from 27 kWh to 30 kWh. This boosts range from 93 to 111 miles. While it trails competitors, the increase does make the Soul EV an attractive option for those with short commutes. When plugged into a 480V quick charger, the battery can recharge to 80 percent within 35 minutes. With a 240V charger, the Soul EV takes between five and six hours to recharge. As for the 120V outlet, it takes a very long 33 hours.
Power comes from an electric motor that has 109 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Despite the battery adding an extra 26 pounds to the overall weight, Kia expects performance to be similar to the outgoing model with a 0-to-60 mph time of around 10 seconds. Reviewers who have driven the 2018 model say it is slightly quicker around town than the outgoing model. On the road, the Soul EV delivers a composed ride on all road surfaces.
Telling the Soul EV apart from the gas-powered Soul is easy. The EV has a larger and closed grille where the charging ports reside. It also has 16-inch alloy wheels finished in black or white. A new instrument cluster and white trim pieces differentiate the interior of the Soul EV from the Soul. The boxy design allows for the Soul EV to have one of most spacious interiors in its class. Passengers are given ample head- and legroom. Cargo space is similar to standard Soul when the rear seats are up, 18.8 cubic feet. Fold the rear seats and there is 49.5 cubic feet.
The base Soul EV-e comes with a 5-inch touchscreen with satellite radio and reversing camera. The EV and EV+ get an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Kia’s UVO Eco services that provide information on public charging stations and the ability to schedule vehicle charging times. Reviewers like both systems as they offer crisp graphics and an easy to understand layout.
For safety, the Soul EV comes with a number of airbags, traction and stability control, hill-start assist, and a pedestrian warning system. Front and rear parking sensors are standard on the EV+ trim.
The 2018 Kia Soul EV begins at $32,250 and climbs to $35,950 for the EV+. The Soul EV does qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit and various state tax credits for EVs.
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2018 Kia Soul EV Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 8.21
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps · EV battery capacity: 30 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 109 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 90 · Electric Motor Torque: 210 · Electric motor charger: DC fast charging · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 6 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 111
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 3.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 8.21
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps · EV battery capacity: 30 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 109 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 90 · Electric Motor Torque: 210 · Electric motor charger: DC fast charging · Electric motor charger connector: CHAdeMO · Electric motor charging time: 6 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 111
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 3.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: contrast stitching
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: lock operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.1 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leatherette · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 8.21
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps · EV battery capacity: 30 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 109 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 90 · Electric Motor Torque: 210 · Electric motor charger: DC fast charging · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 6 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 111
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 3.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: contrast stitching
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.7 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: horn/light operation
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer