The Kia Soul EV has received a revised line-up for the 2023 model year, with a new specification level and a smaller battery marking the new entry point to the range.
Available to order now, with deliveries due to start in the final quarter of 2022, the new Soul offers two powertrain options, each with its own exclusive specification level.
Kia Soul 39kWh Urban 2023 UK first drive
A new Urban specification marks the new entry point to the Hyundai Kona Electric rival's range, offered with a 39.2kWh battery. Prices start at £32,795.
Urban cars offer a range of 171 miles on the WLTP cycle, which Kia says can reach 252 miles in the city. They're driven by a 134bhp electric motor that can achieve 0-62mph in 9.9sec and a top speed of 97mph.
Kia says this 39.2kWh battery can be charged from 0-80% in 54 minutes when using a 80kW charger, or from 0-100% in six hours and 10 minutes when using a 7.2kW home charger.
Standard equipment includes 17in wheels, automatic LED headlights, an 8.0in infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control.
A new Explore specification replaces the previous Maxx range-topper. Priced from £38,995, it’s offered with a larger 64kWh battery with a range of up to 280 miles on a single charge, although Kia says this can increase as high as 402 miles in the city. A 201bhp electric motor propels this Soul from 0-62mph in 7.9sec.
The larger battery, when using a 80kWh charger, can be replenished from 0-80% in the same amount of time as the 39.2kWh unit, despite being 63% larger. It will take 9 hours and 35 minutes to charge from 0-100% when using a 7.2kW home charger.
Explore models are fitted with a larger 10.25in touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav, rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, roof rails, heated front seats and SUV-inspired design features.
It also receives improved safety kit, such as blindspot monitoring, safe exit warning, highway assistance and rear-cross traffic avoidance.
The Soul first went on sale in 2009 with the choice of both petrol and diesel variants. The Soul EV joined the range in 2014, before the model went electric-only in 2019.
Kia has sold a total of 3846 Soul EV models in the UK since its initial launch, with 845 sold in 2022 alone.
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@gavsmit & 567
+ 1! More and more cars are being built in China (some Teslas, some BMWs, never mind the obviously Chinese MGs, etc.) due to the massively lower costs - it makes it harder for a conscientious buyer!
MG are really going to have it all their own way, even the awful styling of the MG 4 looks better than the dreadful styling of the Kia Soul, let alone it being better to drive, just as pratical, having a longer range and stronger performance, all for much less money. Equal 7 year warranty too.
Just a shame buying one feels like sponsoring an evil regime.....
I agree with your comment especially supporting the Chinese Communist Party with a purchase of a MG.
Bit pricy when the LEAF and Zoe start at around 3 to 4k less with the same size battery. Although I suppose this is a few inches taller