Once a
novelty at best, the electric car appears to be here to stay. Leading the way
is the 2015 Kia Soul EV, an electric
version of the popular Soul compact that offers all the fun of its
gasoline-powered counterpart, minus the emissions-emitting tail pipe. With a
range of just over 90 miles, the Soul EV isn't quite ready to replace its
combustion-engine twin, but for around-town driving and daily commutes, the
Soul EV makes a lot of sense. When plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, the
Soul EV takes
about 24 hours to fully charge, but that time drops to a mere 5 hours when
using a 240-volt outlet. An 80 percent charge can be reached in as little as 33
minutes with the standard DC Fast Charge port. The Soul EV can even recharge
its batteries while in motion thanks to a regenerative braking system that
helps capture and store energy.
As good
as it is, the Soul EV isn't the consumer's only choice. Sizewise, the $34,500
Soul EV's closest competitors are the Nissan LEAF and the Ford Focus Electric,
each coming in around $30,000. The FIAT 500e and Volkswagen e-Golf are closer
to the Soul EV in price, but like the Focus and LEAF, they can't match the Soul
EV's range. When considering the overall cost of owning an electric car,
remember to factor in the government's tax credit, which can be as high as
$7,500 if you qualify.
What's New for 2015?
2015
marks the first year for the Soul
EV. Aside from its electric powertrain, the Soul EV distinguishes itself from
the standard Soul with unique colors, a white cap roof, flush wheels for
improved aerodynamics and dual charge ports concealed behind a sliding panel in
the plastic grille panel.
What We Like
Handles
well; loads of cool features; good range on a single charge; roomy interior;
batteries don't impede on cargo space
What We Don't
Price
is a bit high; limited number of select markets
How Much?
$34,525-$37,500
Fuel Economy
The
Soul EV is powered by an 81.4-kilowatt electric motor producing the rough
equivalent of 109 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The electric miles per
gallon gasoline equivalent rating for the Soul EV is 93 miles on the highway,
120 miles in the city and 105 miles combined.
Standard Features & Options
The Kia Soul EV is offered in two
trims: base and Plus.
The Soul EV base ($34,525) includes 16-inch
lightweight alloy wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, power windows,
mirrors and door locks, auto headlights, automatic climate control with
driver-zone-only feature, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a
height-adjustable driver's seat, a tilt-telescopic steering column, a trip
computer, a unique EV-oriented gauge cluster, climate scheduling (allows preset
heating or cooling of the vehicle while charging), Flex Steer driver-selectable
power steering and a rear backup camera, plus an AM/FM/CD/satellite radio with
six speakers, navigation, UVO voice-activated infotainment and an iPod/USB
port. Also standard is a 120-volt charging cable and dual charging ports (one
AC, one DC Fast Charge).
The Soul EV Plus ($36,525) adds fog lights, leather
seats, power-folding mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, heated and
ventilated front seats, a padded leatherette dash pad and door armrests, an
auto-dimming rearview mirror and heated rear seats.
Each
trim is a complete package with no factory options, although a few
dealer-installed items are available.
Safety
The
2015 Kia Soul EV comes with a
complete armory of the latest safety features including front, front
side-impact, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Also on board are
anti-lock brakes, electronic traction and stability control, hill-start assist,
and because EVs run so silently, a pedestrian warning system that creates a
virtual engine noise at low speeds.
As for
crash-test results, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the Soul EV.
The gasoline-powered Soul does very well, however, earning an overall 5-star
rating from the government and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.
Behind the Wheel
Like
most electric cars, the Soul
EV is quick, quiet and efficient. Thanks to its batteries' additional weight,
the Soul EV feels more substantial than its gasoline-powered equivalent, but it
also takes about a second and a half longer to reach 60 miles per hour.
Handling is good but not as sharp or well-mannered as in the VW e-Golf. The
Soul EV's 3-mode Flex Steer driver-selectable steering is an interesting
attempt at improving feedback, but we found little noticeable difference
between the Sport, Normal and Comfort modes.
The
81.4-kilowatt electric motor in the Soul EV produces 210 lb-ft of torque, which
gives this little compact impressive power for off-the-line starts. It takes
some time to get used to the way an EV accelerates, as the 1-speed transmission
never shifts. Even more unsettling is the aggressive nature of the regenerative
braking system that, once the driver's foot is removed from the accelerator,
rapidly decelerates. Kia says
the Soul EV will run to 60 mph
in 11.5 seconds, with a top speed of about 90 mph.
Other Cars to Consider
2015 Nissan LEAF -- The LEAF costs
less and has a more eccentric design than the Soul EV, but it also has less
standard content and can't go as far on a charge.
2015 Ford Focus Electric -- Like the LEAF,
the Focus costs less than the Soul
EV but also can't travel as far. The Focus has pretty mainstream styling, which
is a bonus for those who like its European-inspired design.
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf -- With the
exception of the luxury Tesla Model S, Volkswagen's e-Golf is the most
sophisticated, comfortable and quiet electric car on the market. Although it's
not as hip as the Kia, the
Volkswagen still demonstrates a clean, youthful look.
Used Chevrolet Volt -- The 2011-2014
Chevrolet Volt isn't a pure electric but rather a hybrid gasoline-electric that
runs solely on electric power for about 40 miles. After that, a small gasoline
engine powers the generator, which in turn provides power to the electric
motor. Although it's not a zero-emissions vehicle, the Volt is much more
practical for long trips.
No comments:
Post a Comment