2021 Kia Soul vs 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

The 2021 Kia Soul had evolved from its quirky, hamster-driven image to a more mature yet still playful crossover. Its boxy exterior had been softened over the years, adopting a more traditional compact crossover appearance. The front end featured a futuristic look with slimmer headlights and a large open grille, while the rear showcased large upright taillights and a small rear window. Inside, the Soul offered an intuitive and comfortable cabin with a standard 7-inch touchscreen and an available 10.3-inch touchscreen. The interior retained some of its playful past with funky designs on aluminum trim plates and uniquely shaped air vents.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV was designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, resulting in a jellybean shape similar to other efficiency-first cars. Its more upright layout provided a commanding view of the road and excellent sightlines. The Bolt EV incorporated Chevrolet's signature design cues, such as the polygon lower grille and a "floating" roofline along the D-pillar. Inside, the Bolt EV's cabin was futuristic, with flowing plastic panels and bright colors, resembling consumer electronics more than traditional cars. It featured a fully digital instrument panel, a touchscreen, and streamlined center console controls, though some found the controls confusing and the screen laggy.

The 2021 Kia Soul offered two powertrains. The base engine was a 2.0-liter inline-four producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was available, delivering 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Soul was front-wheel drive only, with no all-wheel drive option. While not particularly sporty, the turbocharged engine provided more power for various driving situations. The Soul offered a quiet and refined ride, with decent handling and a suspension system that absorbed road imperfections well. Fuel economy varied slightly between engines, with the base engine achieving up to 30 mpg combined and the turbocharged engine 29 mpg combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV featured a 66-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack powering an electric motor at the front wheels, producing 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. With 100% torque available at zero rpm, the Bolt EV offered excellent low-end pickup and a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. The battery placement ensured a low center of gravity, making the Bolt EV fun to drive around town. However, it was more suited for city driving, as highway speeds revealed twitchy steering and noticeable body roll. The Bolt EV provided an EPA-estimated range of 259 miles, making it capable of longer trips, though not as comfortable as conventional vehicles.

The 2021 Kia Soul surprised with its spacious interior, offering 39.4 inches of headroom and 41.1 inches of legroom for front passengers, and 39.5 inches of headroom and 38.8 inches of legroom for rear passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 24.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cabin featured ample small-item storage, including door pockets and cupholders, with a fun design incorporating textured metals and unique shapes.

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV provided 56.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 16.9 cubic feet with them up. The Premier trim offered a removable load floor for better organization. The Bolt EV's tall shape allowed for decent cabin space, with ample headroom for both front and rear passengers. However, legroom could be limited if front seats were adjusted for taller occupants. The driver enjoyed excellent visibility, though the lack of power-adjustable seats and steering columns was notable. The Bolt EV featured deep door pockets and a large cargo tray, though the center console controls were somewhat confusing.

The 2021 Kia Soul came well-equipped with tech features, including a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six speakers, USB ports, Bluetooth, and more. A 10.25-inch touchscreen was available, offering HD radio and voice recognition. Higher trims included features like keyless entry, automatic climate control, and a sunroof. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with the Uvo interface providing a simple way to interact with the vehicle.

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV's infotainment system differed from other GM vehicles, with a clunky layout and laggy performance. It focused on energy displays, offering various ways to monitor charging and power usage. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the overlap between touch controls and hard buttons was confusing. The fully digital instrument panel was customizable, providing energy usage information and range estimates. A smartphone app allowed drivers to monitor charging status and weather impacts on range.

The 2021 Kia Soul earned a 2021 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with "Good" scores in all crash test areas and "Superior" ratings for crash prevention systems. The NHTSA awarded it four stars overall, with five stars for side crash safety. Most driver-assistance features were optional, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV came standard with basic safety features and Chevy's Teen Driver feature. Advanced driver assistance features were part of option packages, with the Driver Confidence I package adding rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Driver Confidence II package included forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist. The NHTSA gave the Bolt EV a five-star crash test rating, and the IIHS recognized it as a Top Safety Pick with "Superior" ratings for optional driver assistance features.