–– EV DIARY ––
Suttie’s seven days
What happens when a Kia Soul goes to Scotland for a week? Our man Al tells all
Kia Soul EV
List Price
BiK
0g/km
CO2
Range
mile-range Test efficiency
MONDAY
Kia has been quietly and, no pun intended, efficiently expanding its electric car range, but the shift to electric all started with the Soul EV. The car outside is the latest iteration – a Soul EV Explore with the 64kWh battery, which is the larger of the two on offer to give a claimed range of 280 miles – that’s about the minimum that works practically in the real world in my experience.
TUESDAY
I know there are some that think the Soul is just a box on wheels, but I really like the way it looks. Its sharp corners and high roof make the most of the interior space without resorting to being another SUV wannabe. Sit inside the Soul and this approach to design immediately shows its advantages with the amount of space there is for passengers, notably in the rear seats where my kids jump in with ease.
WEDNESDAY
I may have mentioned it once or twice in the past, but one of my pet hates is electric cars that don’t provide somewhere to stash charging cables out of the way. The Soul gets a thumbs up from me for the space under the boot floor where all the cables can be stored, though it would be even better if the space was fully lined and not just with a polystyrene insert.
THURSDAY
With the range on the Soul’s dash showing 96 miles, or just over half, after a trip into Edinburgh yesterday, it’s time to charge up. No dramas here at a local rapid charger and the Kia is quickly back up to full zap and showing 220 miles to empty. On the way home, it’s an excuse to try out the Soul’s turn of speed, which is not as quick as some EVs yet still more than enough for a family car with a claimed 0-62mph of 7.9 seconds.
FRIDAY
A day of pottering for various local errands on back routes and bendy A-roads shows up a minor chink in the Soul’s otherwise impressive drive. Simply, the body leans a little too much in bends even when I’m not making especially quick progress. It’s partly to do with the tall-sided styling and softly set suspension, which I can forgive, but the ride is also a shade on the fidgety side over the standard mix of ripples and gouges in the road’s surface.
SATURDAY
Another day of using the Kia for nothing more than workday duties. I seem to have spent a lot of time in the car today, yet it’s all gone very comfortably thanks to the excellent driving position and view out from the driver’s pew. Kia has got all of the basics right here, while the raised centre console and easy-to-use infotainment all add to the straightforward appeal of this car’s cabin.
SUNDAY
The Kia Soul in 64kWh form and Explore trim as tested here is not the cheapest EV you can lay your hands on. An MG ZS EV makes a stronger case as a fleet choice, but the Kia does come with plenty of pizzazz and practicality. The decent driving range also gives it greater appeal and that would encourage me to spend the extra on this version rather than the cheaper but shorter-range Urban model.
