The Kia Soul Range
As soon as Tesla shook the market of EVs up back in 2008 and then again in 2012 with itsmass production Tesla Model S that is still being sold and updated it has undoubtedly proved that a personal use EV market is huge and needs as many option offered for it at an affordable price as the gas powered market.
With the Korean KIA being such a progressive company they are they were one of the first big established players on the market and follow suit by launching their first all-electric mass production lineup of KIA Soul back in 2014 which is what made it a player on the EV market even before it followed it up with their next mcuh more juiced up Niro range in 2018.
With the Soul range being a more of an entry and an experiment for the brand to get its first range out to the publix and sales, this low specs 5-door SUV was surely meant to be at the time of its launch and stayed as such pretty much even now with the updated versions as an entry-level range. Definitely targeting newcomers to the EV market looking to lose most power and performance features for a good entry price on the first EV car, the Soul range is meant to be more of a family-sized car. With a spin on features satisfying both for soccer moms and more avid solo drivers looking for a sizeable EV to roam around in, the Niro range was surely the range to put the KIA brand in the EV game.
Having limited this range to one car type unlike Audi with its e-tron, the Niro range has proved to be a very consistent range offering similar variants that both in its power and performance and the price can be directly compared to the Tesla Model 3 or Model X. Its FWD with 1 to 2 motors depending on the specific variant of the range showcases some decent enough attributes across the board.
While surely being in the game of competing with the market leader Tesla, it is crucial to compare the Niro range to that brand both in terms of specs and looks. So comparing how technically and technologically, not even mentioning comfort wise did this range get to Tesla it might be a not so close call. A very quick gander at the specs in the range shows how an idea of an EV became a reality for the KIA brand fans as well.
Talking about the looks as well - we can say that unlike Tesla KIA gone the safer route and made its SUVs look like a more of a generic family car with streamlined features. Its updated range has both a somewhat minimalistic futuristic body form as a sedan and a very minimalistic yet stylish interior finsh with some premium options.
As the looks and design are very important for any car range for sure, the specs and performance are truly everything. Based on just judging the Niro range on the merit of it specs and metrics, let's take a look at the fact that depending on the variant its EPA certified electric range and starts o to 60 at whoppingly market-lowish 11 seconds which is not much at all. Unfortunately where it is kind of average to lackluster in terms of max speed or acceleration or other show-off features, it also does not gain in range to improve the impression. More power and performance metrics that make it truly stand out from the rest, including the ever so important for EVs range. This tranlsates to when the journey has already begun, it will deliver you as far as the official EPA rated range of up to 111 mi without a single recharge definitely limit it to seldom travelers if not just city work-home commuters and leave a huge room for improvement as it pretty much ranks as one of the lowest on the market.
Its saving grace is surely its competitive affordable price which might make buyers or people new to the EV world ignore a lack of some things other top-of-the-line ranges like Tesla Model X or other offer at a higher cost.
Be sure to check out its multiple top features such as:
which combined make for a very satifsfying feeling when inside it on the road.
