2021 Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul has a certain charm about it – a cult following, almost – and with the upcoming 2021 electric variation, this appreciation will only be amplified. The stateside arrival of this particular EV is long overdue. The Soul EV has been around in limited distribution since 2014, and the early concept of this upcoming version was unveiled at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s set to impress with its seamless integration of range, power, and technology – with a good dosage of fun, too. This is a vehicle with a unique look that particularly fits the bill for those who march to the beat of their own drum, but it’s made for anyone who wants to affordably lower their carbon footprint. Certainly, there’s a lot to like (including some industry-leading warranties), and while the wait to get behind the wheel of the 2021 Kia Soul EV might feel drawn out, this page will give you a taste of what to expect.
Powertrain
The front-wheel-drive 2021 Kia Soul EV will get its pep from a 201 horsepower electric motor working with a single-speed direct-drive automatic transmission and powerful 64-kWh battery pack. With this powerplant, the 2021 Kia Soul EV will be capable of traveling up to 243 miles on a full charge. Kia is also including fast-charge capability as a standard feature. EPA estimates for the 2021 Soul EV are expected to be 127 MPGe in the city and 101 MPGe on the highway.
Interior Amenities
The interior of the 2021 Kia Soul EV is sleek, modern, and comfortable. While a full specs list has yet to be released by the automaker, the conventional gasoline-burning Soul offers some clues. On the infotainment and connectivity front, there will probably be two different displays: a standard 7-inch touchscreen and an available 10.3-inch touchscreen with integrated navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will most likely be provided, and while a six-speaker audio unit is likely to be the default, drivers should have the option of upgrading to a premium 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
Safety
Since the 2021 Kia Soul EV has yet to be released, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has been able to test it. Some active safety technologies will be provided, although we don’t know the specifics just yet. As with everything else, if this EV reflects the 2020 gas-engine model, it will offer forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a drowsy driver monitor, and adaptive cruise control.
