Looking for an EV that doesn’t cost Tesla money or resemble a jelly bean? Then Kia might just have what you need with its electrified version of the Soul when it arrives in showrooms later this year.
AutoblogGreen reports the compact EV — the South Korean automaker’s first such mass-market offering — will enter showrooms with a base MSRP of $33,700 before the $7,500 federal tax rebate is applied. The price of admission places the Soul EV above the Nissan Leaf ($28,980), but just below the Volkswagen e-Golf ($35,445).
The base model — dubbed Base — brings a 6.6kW on-board charger and an “exclusive” HVAC system designed to maintain the vehicle’s 93-mile range “by minimizing energy draw.” The UVO eServices system, which provides in-car and — via the UVO app — smartphone info on range and were to pull over for a charge, comes standard. Other amenities available include Bluetooth, rear-camera display, cruise control and power windows.
Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line + — or Plus — model adds heated leather-trimmed seats, fog lights and power-folding mirrors, all for a starting price of $35,700 MSRP pre-rebate.
For those who would rather lease, Kia is offering an introductory $249/month rate for 36 months on the Soul EV Base with $1,999 down. Either way, the crossover will only be available in a few California markets, with expansion planned down the road.
“the crossover will only be available in a few California markets”
Unfortunate, the take rate will have no real world significance. But understandable because they have to sell *some* at least.
Actually, Kia has already said that the Soul EV will be available in other CARB states, including those on he east coast early next year with a possible nationwide roll-out next summer.
It’s offered in California because it’s a money-losing compliance car for CARB. Offering something like this is obligatory for companies that sell in volume.
On a different note, I’m going to offer a gentle criticism that I hope will help here: Autoblog didn’t “report” anything, they just rewrote a Kia press release. That isn’t inherently bad — that’s how almost all new car release information makes it into the media — but you’re basically producing hearsay by doing a rewrite of a rewrite.
The automakers have media websites that issue these press releases. Unless the third party author adds some value to the story that didn’t come in the press release (and Autoblog rarely does), you can just get the press kits yourself directly from the OEM, and produce your blog post based upon the original source. You can usually get photos there, too, since the automaker wants to take an opportunity to promote its new models.
+1
Still, though…. the lure of a totally silent car that’s got almost nothing to leak onto the garage floor. And I already really like the Soul… and 39 miles would nicely cover my daily drive let alone 93…
If one made it to a local dealer I’d sure investigate.
The Nissan Leaf has those attributes is available everywhere in the US.
It won’t replace my minivan, but it could mean that I only need to drive my van on special occasions when I need the capability!
The Soul is much more ergonomically friendly and tall enough that I can actually see under the RVM with barley a crouch (though this EV seems lowered). That alone to me is huge.
They started running ads for it in Boston about a week ago. Some interesting color schemes – black with orange roof.
Were the ads by Kia corporate or a local dealer? Maybe the California-only claim is erroneous? Given the universal popularity the Soul has already won I would hope there will be some other trial market areas.
Edit: went to the website and it says California now, east coast “expected” in 2015.
TTAC seems to have lost its Soul without Farago or Baruth. I find myself going here less and less…
Good, if attention to cars people actually buy (or their EV variants) turns you off.
I can’t get over how much this car looks like an Adidas Chelsea Samba indoor soccer shoe.
It’s interesting, but when will they extend EVs beyond subcompacts? Soul and Leaf are just a bit too small for most people with kids. Now an electric Forte/Sentra would be a different story and I’d seriously entertain it as a next vehicle.
I don’t know but whatever battery breakthrough allows that will give us some awesome cordless lawnmowers and vacuums!
Cordless HD Shopvac FTW!
My Leaf is considered a mid-size car, not subcompact or compact. It easily transports 4-5 people.
A Soul is even bigger inside.
Have you ever been in a Soul? It’s cavernous. My 6’3″ teens have plenty of room, even in back.
The concept of this car as an electric toaster appeals to me. Must test drive.
Completely agree. An EV Soul is one of the few things that might get me off the schnoid to replace my CR-V.
Actually, it would trump everything else barring a real deal on a Fit EV, new or CPO.
The Focus comes in an electric model. I’m pretty sure it’s not a plug in.
Huh?
All pure EVs are plug-in by definition. How else are you going to charge it?
The Focus is plug-in, but you can have an EV without plugging it in and charging an on-board battery. Just use caternary wires: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolleybus
The blue Soul EV in the picture could be a candidate to replace the Leaf next year, if it appears in western Pennsylvania.
It has similar specs to the Leaf, except it’s larger inside.
0-60 in 11+ seconds? Top speed 90mph?
What an embarrassingly slow slug. State of the art for 2009 :p
The world doesn’t need Yet Another Compact <40kWh EV, and California CERTAINLY doesn't. Howsabout 40kWh-usable with 200kW motors in CUV formfactor already for fuxake? Now THAT might move the chain..
“What an embarrassingly slow slug.”
Well, plenty good for me. And I would take your scorn as a compliment.
It doesn’t cost Tesla money but it also doesn’t have a 300 mile range. Both my wife and I would love to go electric but given that we both drive places roughly 50 miles away on a regular basis, this Soul is not the answer. When can I get an affordable electric with even a 200 mile range?
While pricey (that’s to be expected for this current crop of EVs), the lease deal isn’t too bad (or purchase with the tax rebates).
But EVs like the Soul won’t really start to take off (in urban/metro areas) until they get the range up to around 150 miles and the price further down – which might just very well happen for the nex gen of EVs.
One demerit to the EV Soul over its gas sibling is that the plastic grill cover makes the front look ungainly.
In other Soul “news”, there is talk of an addition of a more powerful engine (1.6T) and maybe even AWD (probably won’t happen until the next gen model).
I don’t like the look of the grille on this Soul EV.
It’s a pity that a company is forced to manufacture a vehicle at a loss, then have the vehicle subsidised to the consumer to sell them.
America is obviously not ready for EVs and Hybrids. I wonder how would sell without all of those ridiculous subsidies and regulations.
When the vehicles can be sold without any assistance, then and only then should they be manufactured or if a manufacturer builds them, then it’s there decision not some dumb regulation.
Remember it’s the taxpayers making this possible. The many are paying for the privileged few who buy these vehicles.