Summary
The Kia Soul EV was a small hatchback that, at least in the UK, was only available with an electric motor. This model was the third generation Soul, which was launched in 2019 and arrived in the UK in early 2020. It was discontinued from sale in 2024, effectively replaced by the Kia EV3.
With its boxy style, the Kia Soul EV was unlike anything else in the new car market. It did mean that headroom was pretty good, however…
The Kia Soul EV received mixed reviews throughout its production life. There was oraise for its distinctive (albeit divisive) exterior styling, while it was considered decent enough to drive and had a good range compared to many other electric cars.
However, its interior was far more conventionally and conservatively designed than the outside, and interior space wasn’t as good as some other cars at a similar price.
As of December 2024, the Soul has a Used Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 72%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, but media review scores were only average. There’s no safety rating as the Soul EV was not tested by Euro NCAP, and we don’t yet have enough data to provide a reliability rating.
Soul highlights
- Nippy performance
- Low running costs
- Competitive battery range
- Well-equipped from entry-level
Soul lowlights
- Divisive exterior styling
- Light steering
- Smaller boot than its rivals
- Expensive
Key specifications
Body style: Small five-door hatch
Motor: electric, battery-powered
Price when new: From £32,845 on-road
Launched: Spring 2020
Last updated: N/A
Discontinued: Autumn 2024
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 64 kWh Urban
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Kia Soul packs quite a lot of practicality into a more bespoke than most design. It’s expensive for what is actually a small EV but well-equipped and a quality car.”
Author: Andrew Charman
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Urban (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Soul EV has long struggled to justify its existence next to its more rounded Niro EV stablemate, but its higher driving position and extra practicality will appeal to some.”
Read review
Score: 9 / 10
“The Kia Soul EV might be one of the best electric cars you can buy. It’s great to drive, interesting to look at, comfortable and will return up to 280 miles of electric range and exceptionally low running costs.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The all-electric Kia Soul EV combines quirky design with enormous capability.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Soul EV builds on the funky charm of its predecessor by maintaining the quirky styling, but upping the performance dramatically. It’s zippy to drive and boasts a very impressive range on a single charge. If you’re in the market for an electric car, it’s definitely one of the first cars to check out.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“While the Soul might feel dated against some more modern rivals, this Kia still deserves serious consideration when being compared against them.” (Martyn Collins)
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Love-them-or-hate-them looks aside, the Kia Soul EV successfully pulls off the trick of offering an exceptionally good electric range at a reasonable price. A reliable 250+ miles on a single charge is nothing to sniff at – in fact, it’s enough for the majority of drivers to use as their only car.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Soul EV is a distinctive zero-emissions car with impressive performance.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Kia Soul EV is an electric car that stands out from the crowd with its looks and has great electric range despite its modest price. It isn’t the most practical choice, however.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: First Edition 64kWh
“A stylish electric family car with a long range, impressive performance and lots of kit, all for a fairly competitive price.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: First Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“Depending on whether you love or hate the styling, the majority of people will find that the Kia Soul EV offers enough range, plenty of cabin space, great performance, comfort and tech.”
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Eurekar
“The Kia Soul EV reaches 62mph in a sprightly 7.5 seconds and continues smoothly on to a 104mph top speed, all completed with a mannered and well balanced demeanor.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: First Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“An intriguing EV that satisfies the usual electric anxieties, but that comes at a sales-phenomenon-restricting price.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: First Edition
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Kia Soul EV looks better than its predecessor, it has a much longer range and it’s excellent to drive. It still has a practical body style, and the quality of the interior has improved. Is there anything wrong with it? Not really. Well, except that it’s too quirky to fit in any of the conventional car categories.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“So confident is Kia that electric cars are the future, the Soul is now sold exclusively as an electric vehicle. It uses the same 204hp electric motor and 64kWh battery pack as the e-Niro, travelling 280 miles from a charge.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Rage overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Super cool crossover with improved performance and range.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Keep things simple but classy with the Kia Soul EV – the perfect electric ride for one-car families.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“While the smaller, boxier Kia Soul EV is less practical and pleasing to drive than the e-Niro, it’s a more compact model for use around town and goes as far per charge. It’s a more fun and funky design, too, so will appeal to those who prefer to stand out from the crowd.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: First Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia Soul EV is one of the most accomplished electric cars out there. Its range is more than enough to manage most of your driving on super-cheap home charges. And if you need to stop at a charging station, you’ll probably be done in the time it takes you to sit and have a coffee.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Good news: it’s like an e-Niro, only a bit more interesting.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
Unlike earlier models, the third-generation Kia Soul EV was not assessed by Euro NCAP during its production life.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Kia Soul EV was not assessed by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Kia Soul EV to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Soul EV, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 280 miles | B | 171 – 280 miles | B – C |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.4 m/KWh | B | 4.4 – 4.9 m/KWh | A – B |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 31 | C | 18 – 34 | A – C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £163 | A |
| Year 2 | £388 | A |
| Year 3 | £636 | A |
| Year 4 | £756 | A |
| Year 5 | £987 | A |
| Overall | £2,930 | A |
The Kia Soul EV is a very cost-effective car to own and run, according to five-year ownership costs provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon in a petrol or diesel car) is good, which helps the Soul attain plenty of driving range for most household needs.
Servicing and maintenance costs for the first five years of the car’s life are excellent, although insurance premium are only likely to be average.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia Soul EV has received
2023
- Auto Trader Awards – Best Value Electric Car
2021
- Auto Trader Awards – Best Value Electric Car
2020
- World Car Awards – World Urban Car
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Crossover
2019
- DrivingElectric Awards – Best Medium Electric Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Kia Soul EV, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BYD Atto 3 | Cupra Born | DS 3 E-Tense | Fiat 500e | Honda e | Hyundai Kona Electric | Jeep Avenger | Kia Niro EV | Mazda MX-30 | MG 4 | Mini Electric | Ora Funky Cat | Peugeot e-208 | Peugeot e-2008 | Renault Zoe | Smart #1 | Tesla Model Y | Vauxhall Corsa Electric | Volkswagen ID.3
Buy a Kia Soul EV
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Kia Soul EV, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Subscribe to a Kia Soul EV
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
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Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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