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Kia Soul EV (Electric) Test-Drive from D.C. Auto Show
http://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicle/soul-ev/2017
At the D.C. Auto Show this year, among many other vehicles, I looked at the Kia Niro out on the display floor. The Niro, a gas/electric hybrid, will basically compete with the Toyota Prius, Ford C-Max, and other fairly small hybrids. But Kia did not have a Niro available for its outdoor test-drive circuit there. So, I chose the Soul EV all-electric version instead, as I had sampled a number of gas-engine Souls over the years (my brother had one for five years, and loved it). So, the usual registration/sign-up on the I-pad, a puff on the Breathalyzer to check for alcohol (redundant for me, as I'm a teetotaller and don't drink), a quick tour of the exterior and cargo area by a Kia rep (like I really needed it LOL), hop into the driver's seat with a rep, buckle up, scan the controls to get familiarized, get adjusted, and go. Though it was the usual Mickey-Mouse test-drive around the central city streets near the Convention Center (certainly not enough for a regular MM Review), I'll share my reaction for any of you who are interested...and, I'll admit, it was a quite pleasant one.
The EV version of the Kia Soul lists for 32K to start, roughly twice (yes, twice) what a base-model gas-engined version does, at 16K. But (as I found out even during the brief test-drive), there is a reason for that. It buys an advanced lithium-ion battery pack (not as advanced as the one in the Tesla Model S, but it doesn't cost 100K like a Model S, either), more comfortable and softly-padded seats than in other Souls I'm sampled, a super-slick, simple-to-use shifter), large, well-lit digital and barograph gauges (I'm generally not a fan of digital gauges, but these are well-done), an advanced permanent-magnet electric motor with 109 HP and 210 ft-lbs. of torque (remember, electric motors produce max torque at very low RPMs), and (apparently) more money and attention spend at the plant on refinement and fit/finish than other, cheaper, gas-engine versions. And, of course, that 30-40K selling price will be lowered somewhat by Federal and any applicable state or local tax-credits....though you won't actually get the money back (or save it) until the next time you do your taxes. You may (?) also get HOV priviledges on rush-hour freeways (where applicable) to save time and traffic-congestion.
Not only does the EV version feel different when you first get in and buckle up, but, on the road, the drivetrain is also quite different from gas-engined versions. The electric motor is super-quiet, the transmission (without conventional shifts) is virtually imperceptible. Like the gas-engine versions, it has noticeably better ride quality and noise-control over city-state bumps then the early versions like my brother had (I first noticed the difference with the face-lift and partial-redesign of the gas-engined versions a few years ago). Inside, that 32K also seems to buy a more comfortable, better-trimmed interior and, as I mentioned above, slicker, easier-to-use controls. So, yes, more money than the gas models....for a substantially nicer vehicle.......assuming, of course, you don't drive long distances at a stretch, and have regular access to 110V or 220V electric outlets for charging (some places may have the new 400V chargers that will do the job in 20-30 minutes).
Last, instead of the usual Kia caps, phone-charging cords, key-chains, or other small gifts, this year Kia gave out $10 cards for ordering things off of Amazon. I'll give it to my brother, as I usually don't order things on-line, except for rewards gift-cards from my bank when I get enough points.
And, as Always..........Happy Car-Shopping.
MM
__________________
http://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicle/soul-ev/2017
At the D.C. Auto Show this year, among many other vehicles, I looked at the Kia Niro out on the display floor. The Niro, a gas/electric hybrid, will basically compete with the Toyota Prius, Ford C-Max, and other fairly small hybrids. But Kia did not have a Niro available for its outdoor test-drive circuit there. So, I chose the Soul EV all-electric version instead, as I had sampled a number of gas-engine Souls over the years (my brother had one for five years, and loved it). So, the usual registration/sign-up on the I-pad, a puff on the Breathalyzer to check for alcohol (redundant for me, as I'm a teetotaller and don't drink), a quick tour of the exterior and cargo area by a Kia rep (like I really needed it LOL), hop into the driver's seat with a rep, buckle up, scan the controls to get familiarized, get adjusted, and go. Though it was the usual Mickey-Mouse test-drive around the central city streets near the Convention Center (certainly not enough for a regular MM Review), I'll share my reaction for any of you who are interested...and, I'll admit, it was a quite pleasant one.
The EV version of the Kia Soul lists for 32K to start, roughly twice (yes, twice) what a base-model gas-engined version does, at 16K. But (as I found out even during the brief test-drive), there is a reason for that. It buys an advanced lithium-ion battery pack (not as advanced as the one in the Tesla Model S, but it doesn't cost 100K like a Model S, either), more comfortable and softly-padded seats than in other Souls I'm sampled, a super-slick, simple-to-use shifter), large, well-lit digital and barograph gauges (I'm generally not a fan of digital gauges, but these are well-done), an advanced permanent-magnet electric motor with 109 HP and 210 ft-lbs. of torque (remember, electric motors produce max torque at very low RPMs), and (apparently) more money and attention spend at the plant on refinement and fit/finish than other, cheaper, gas-engine versions. And, of course, that 30-40K selling price will be lowered somewhat by Federal and any applicable state or local tax-credits....though you won't actually get the money back (or save it) until the next time you do your taxes. You may (?) also get HOV priviledges on rush-hour freeways (where applicable) to save time and traffic-congestion.
Not only does the EV version feel different when you first get in and buckle up, but, on the road, the drivetrain is also quite different from gas-engined versions. The electric motor is super-quiet, the transmission (without conventional shifts) is virtually imperceptible. Like the gas-engine versions, it has noticeably better ride quality and noise-control over city-state bumps then the early versions like my brother had (I first noticed the difference with the face-lift and partial-redesign of the gas-engined versions a few years ago). Inside, that 32K also seems to buy a more comfortable, better-trimmed interior and, as I mentioned above, slicker, easier-to-use controls. So, yes, more money than the gas models....for a substantially nicer vehicle.......assuming, of course, you don't drive long distances at a stretch, and have regular access to 110V or 220V electric outlets for charging (some places may have the new 400V chargers that will do the job in 20-30 minutes).
Last, instead of the usual Kia caps, phone-charging cords, key-chains, or other small gifts, this year Kia gave out $10 cards for ordering things off of Amazon. I'll give it to my brother, as I usually don't order things on-line, except for rewards gift-cards from my bank when I get enough points.
And, as Always..........Happy Car-Shopping.
MM
__________________
