2016 Kia Soul Review and Road Test - Including the EV in 4K
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 พ.ค. 2016
- Alex On Autos is car shopping. Yes, it happens to me, just like it happens to you. The Soul EV is at the top of our list so I took one for another spin just to make sure it's still as good as it was when we last visited it.
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BTW I purchased this vehicle on your recommendation, and I have never been so pleased thank you Alex you do wonderful work and in my opinion you are the best at car reviews on TH-cam, I watch all your videos religiously. You are accurate and detail orientated. On a purchase that requires this kind of investigative knowledge you deliver, everyone should who is looking for a new or newish vehicle should look to you first!
I agree with you 100%!! I just rented a 2018 Kia Soul base model and I was more than impressed in the 2400 miles that I drove it. It was probably the BEST small car I have ever driven and I am almost 66! I even kissed the car goodbye when I had to turn it back in. I may even consider buying one in the future. My only gripe was with the automatic transmission that seemed to struggle finding gears when accelerating from a stop but that was not a deal-breaker for me. It overall drove well, even with that annoyance that others have complained about, also.
I am considering a used Kia Soul EV in this year and Alex was my go-to for the review!
I have to Say Alex, I use to think this was only a teens car. But lately I see more and more older people driving it for the practicality, and what it has to offer for the price and 10 year Warranty. Kia's #1 selling vehicle, I was thinking about looking at one. :)
Thanks for the great review as always Alex. I recently leased an EV+ based on your earlier review and it's been great for the commute down the peninsula. I'm sure you'll get great usage out of yours.
Currently leasing the 2016 Soul EV base after I watched your review, Alex. We truly enjoy it, never run out of battery granted only 80 miles daily commute and it's very comfortable car.
We actually bought two 2016 Kia Souls this year, my wife's Plus model was purchased in February & thus I inherited her Nissan Versa sedan which I didn't like so I traded it in on another Plus Soul model in April. It's really a good value for what you get for the money & if you are Savy about getting all the rebates & financing incentives it's one of the lower priced cars out there.
Hey Alex, I like your Alex on Auto Shirt, nice professional touch and cool way to build your brand. Thanks for the review of the Kia Soul.
Very detailed and great reviews! Keep it up Alex!!
You know the deal. You put out a video, it's amazing.
Great review! Keep up the good work!
Really helpful, well-crafted review video. Thank you!
Good Luck Alex , I own a 2014 Soul in that titanium grey, plus with the primo package .So pretty much loaded , ventilated seats , nav , high end sound. Im 24 and used it for commuting 2 hours to college. It has been a great car for the past 2 years with only two small issues.( rattle in dash , and the sunroof rubber strip came loose) the dealer fixed both and has been a dream. gas mileage wise I averaged 20 in the city and about 29 on the highway.
Keep us up to date on what new car you get.
As always ... Love ur reviews
Hey Alex, I love your work, but any chance you can mention if the glove box is lockable, and maybe do the specifications in Metric as well?
Alex, did you do a long term review of this car? Would love to see your thoughts on the long-term ownership experience. I am looking to pick up a used 2016/2017 one of these.
Alex on Autos - great review! Very informative, and I just leased a Soul EV+ just today. Coming from a Nissan Leaf S, I like the luxury of the Soul + - but time will tell if it is better over all. Thank you for the review!
Hi, could you write the updates about car, do you still have it?
Love your honesty about why you are considering it: special lane access.
Although I disliked the first generations of Soul, the revised look and size, especially width, make it far more interesting. Great city runabout.
I think this is a good choice, i'd like to see long-term reviews if you do end up purchasing it.
My son just bought a 2016 2.0
Beautiful car and alot for your money! Interior is top notch!
Alex - great review - did you lease or buy? Its been drilled into my head to never lease, but I keep reading the out year costs of a battery replacement makes owning costly later.
Alex can you recommend a soft-suspension subcompact crossover or atleast a comfortable suspension subcompact car ? Please we need your help since you've driven most of the vehicles.
I have that 2016 EV for 14 000km and a Canadian winter and I love it. It small outside and so big inside. The driving position is very good and the handling is, well, you know now, great. The roof amaze passenger.
+Francois Morin I'd be interested to know if you lost any range with the cold winters we have here in Canada and whether you used any pre-heating or battery warmer? where I live it can get to -30-35C so I would really like to know how the full EV ( as compared to a hybrid ) holds up in the extreme cold....
+MrKikoboy The salesman told me it would drop from 149km to 125km. The less I got whit a full charge was 105km. But that was at -25.
Hello Alex. I presume you've rented the Kia Soul so much that it practically feels like something you own. You've said before that you've recommended the Soul to your friends, & they seemed happy, so you might as well listen to yourself. I did, and I bought a used 2016 Kia Soul ! for $17,000 with 5,600 miles on it. Oddly enough, I feel more youthful in the Soul than in my 2016 Mustang GT. I find myself needing to ease off the pedal more in the Soul. Good luck.
Excellent review Alex and it's early (normally Friday), I will pass this test along to a friend as a suggest vehicle.
Btw, what happened to the complete 2017 Kia Sportage review as promised?
+denault3985 These things always take a while to get for a week, so *hopefully* the Sportage will be in about a month or so
Alex on Autos
Any thoughts on the different drive modes? Is it a gimmick or does it change handling/performance of the vehicle?
Alex can you do a review for 2016 camaro.
What are your thoughts on this vehicle in today's market and would you still recommend it in this crazy market? Thanks
Styling being subjective I do feel one of the obstacles faced by the Soul compared to compact and sub-compact sedans is its looks. I'm no stranger to rolling bricks as we own a Honda Element but these upright boxy vehicles, while having loads of practical utility, do not have the lines of many smaller sedans. As you mentioned Alex, taking into account the added plus of being able to use HOV lanes in an area of the country known for high traffic volumes is certainly worthy of consideration. Should you purchase one it would be interesting to have you do a follow up a year or two down the road. Thanks for the great review.
Driving in the special lane wearing a tax deductible company shirt! I like your style and appreciate the reviews.
I really like the idea of the Soul, especially the EV. I test drove one (I don't know the trim), and it was surprisingly average.
Where is the spare tire located???
How did you get it for a week??
I’m in process of getting one next month
I wonder how that electronic parking brake works when you run out of battery power.
i have one and i love it the kia soul is a nice as it get
Anyone remember the Trail'ster concept they debuted at Chicago last year? The Soul with a gasoline engine up front and an electric motor driving the rear? I really hope they bring that solution to the mid-life refresh next year.
+Peter Lan Same here. The 2012 Track'ster concept was the basis for the current gen Soul. It took 2 years though.
+Peter Lan According to a Kia dealership I talked to they are working on using the electric motor to power an AWD system for a new Soul...it *might* appear as one of the 2017 models...
So, is it in your driveway now ? We are 2 months after this excellent presentation and I am curious because we are also in the "process" of choosing...
We did! We posted some on Facebook but we also shot some video which we hope to have out in the next few weeks.
+Alex on Autos Thank you. I am definitely looking forward to your user's experience. I was touched by your posting of how you were trapped in the trunk of a mini clubman. So I realize just how personal and humbling your shares are. It definitely adds another dimension to how I (a lambda spectator) see you. And I would venture that has a similar effect on your frequent viewers. Wonderful work.
I have a base model Soul and I think the 1.6 gets a bad rap. Maybe it does not perform like a Mazda 3 or a Ford Focus but it is by no means slow and is rather fun to drive. I have the manual 6 speed transmission and it is fun to toss around on the twisties. So you get somewhat fun driving dynamics and a great little hauler. For the price it should be a consideration from someone in the market for a subcompact daily driver that does not handle or look like a taxi cab. If it were practical for me to to own a second vehicle I would consider adding the Soul EV as my daily driver.
I am considering a new base model auto or manual. Wondering how different MPGs between the 2 might be? They are so incredibly reasonably priced. So nice inside even in Base form.
Alex -- you mentioned you're personally shopping for a car. Give Mary Barra a call and ask if you can get one of the first Chevy Bolts.
Isn't the 1.6 base a great value? I mean, if you are on a budget, and want a stick shift car under 14 grand.. why not go for a Soul over something like a Fit? Anyway, I want the EV one MOST. Waiting for the used ones to go down in price a bit.
Is that silver Camaro in the background the star of your next video review?
+Elliott Manning Sharp eye ;-) It is. And you might even see it Tomorrow if all goes to plan...
@Alex on Autos Maybe the Chevy Bolt is your ticket? Or is that release date to far out to be considered in your purchase?
+Alex on Autos
+Blake Swan It's a little far out and I personally prefer the Soul's looks.
+Alex on Autos I gotcha. Excited to see how you spec it out. As always, love your work
With the car comparison portion between competitors increasing in most of your recent videos, I wonder if you could start a new type of videos mainly for comparison by choosing one that you have not reviewed (or has been a while) as the main car and only highlighted the ones that are different from three other close competitors.
For example, first 10 minutes for the condensed civic hatckback introduction and impression, then add some of the previous video clip fragments from elantra GT, mazda3 hatch, and (not yet reviewed) impreza hatch to show the comparison in terms of exterior/interior/driving characteristics.
This takes less time in terms of the actual recording, but more video editing will be required.
I figured if large portion of the close competitors are generally the same, why spend time on those. The majority of viewers, who are potential car shoppers, would want to know more about the differences between each competitors or the unique things they wish to pay more attention to before they have a chance to test drive the cars.
Soul EV looks like a great buy with the incentives offered in CA. I would wait for the 200+ mile range EVs become main stream and hopefully the battery and Solar panel kit price will also come down within the next three years. Hopefully the windshield wiper refill will be the only thing I spend money on maintaining the car in the future. :)
I like that Kia is offering luxury offerings that its competitors are not at this price range. I wish more companies did that.
4:46 "It also really helps with my back."
since these are a lease car, and if my memory is correct you commute up the peninsula from Scotts Valley, how will you stay within the lease miles? If you're buying an EV, why not a used lease return Leaf since you can get one for less than 10k?
you can finance them too. Also you can get unlimited miles on a lease.
Lease is throwing money away. Max makes a good point. Why pay 10 grand in fees to borrow a car, rent it, only to give it back. You could pay something TOTALLY OFF. @@daniels7862
Alex, you compared the Soul EV with BMW i3 with an upgraded 33kWh battery, but forgot to mention the most important competition - the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which will be on sale this autumn, will have a similar price than i3 and will have a 60kWh battery, with range of over 200 miles.
+Andrej Potokar The Bolt isn't out yet, so that's the main reason I can't comment. Secondly I suspect the Bolt will be the start of a different category. With a range that's double the EVs up to this point I see this segment stratifying into various levels with ~100 mile EVs like the Soul, ~200 mile EVs and a limited number of ~300 mile EVs
+Alex on Autos Fair enough, but to be honest, neither is the 33kWh BMW i3 ;-)
+Andrej Potokar When this was filmed the larger i3 battery had not been announced officially. Even after the size bump the i3 is 125 miles so it's closer the soul than a 200 mile Bolt
+Alex on Autos I agree. 33kWh i3 is closer to Soul EV in AER (All ElectricRange) category, but what about the pricing? BMW i3 is quite expensive here in Europe. Soul EV is about 5.000 EUR cheaper than the i3, but I'd still prefer buying the Soul EV over the i3, but not because it's cheaper, but because, in my opinion, the Soul EV is a better car and a better EV than an i3.
I believe, that the Bolt EV will be priced similarly than BMW i3.
I almost traded my 2012 Opel Ampera for the Soul EV last autumn, but I decided to wait for the Bolt EV battery and AER announcement and I'm happy I did.
I can't wait for you to review the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Then, I will have to wait for Bolt EV to come to Europe as an Opel Ampera-e.
Oh and by the way - a great review, as always :-)
+Andrej Potokar I doubt there is too much cross shop primarily because of the brand associated with each one. The i3 is a hair more practical thanks to the big battery but it doesn't actually handle any better and the SAE combo connector is thin on the ground compared to CHADEMO in California.
Soul EV not available in my state. :(
Comprehensive review here, but comparing it with ICE versions not really useful to help decide. Would have preferred comparisons with other same category EV's.
What about the VW e-Golf, is it a good competitor to the Soul EV?
German cars are not reliable and too expensive
German cars are not reliable and too expensive
Most german car problems are engine related, this is electric and it costs the same as the Soul EV so I don't know why are you complaining.
One more point Alex. Deal to the lesser amount of Soul EV been sold, battery replacement cost may be way more than those Prius and Leaf/Volt. It hurts resale value too.
+smonkey001 Resale value isn't much of a concern on a subsidised lease. The battery is without a doubt more than the LEAF or Volt, but that's because it's considerably larger, especially vs the Volt. However on a per kWh basis the Soul's battery is actually less expensive primarily because of the supplier chain in Korea. This is also likely why Kia gives a much longer warranty on their battery at 10 years / 100,000 miles vs 8/100K in the Leaf or Volt (10% longer on the time front), a longer overall powertrain and bumper to bumper warranty
+Alex on Autos Great points!
Are you over 6 foot tall or is the car quite small, can't quite work it out ;-)
He is 6 ft and yes the car is pretty tall lol
Yes, join the EV family!
The next Soul needs the new 1.6 turbo the Optima has to improve mileage.
What's EV? I think I'm interested in the Kia Soul
+santonegra
The Soul EV is a pure electric vehicle. The normal Soul models are powered by gasoline engines.
It is definitely great Ev car,
Sadly we get the Ev with no sunroof or sunshade roof; also no cooling he seat; it is a shame i would have bought it straight away if it was !
you're so unexcited about this awesome car.
it's a kia soul, should he jump up and down for it?
Wow the mpg is pretty crappy for a small vehicle
"Kia provided one tank of gas for this review" ?
Low mileage '15 EV's are showing up for right under 20K.
I honestly don't see the attraction of the Soul. Except for the utilitarian aspect, it doesn't offer much else compared to competitors, and they out do the Soul with most other aspects and the Soul is no longer inexpensive.
+watershed44 Keep in mind that the original competition was the Nissan Cube, Honda Fit & Scion xB. In 2013, the Soul outsold all of them combined, by 40%. The Cube & xB have been discontinued. According to Consumer Reports, it's more reliable than even the Honda Fit.
+cadsux How does one really equate reliability with this example when most people owning a Honda Fit will likely have few if any problems? Be careful of statistical data, especially that taken only from CU subscribers, as it's easy to think of one vehicle being at the top of its class while all others are somehow at the other extreme.
+R Usack What makes you assume the Fit will have less problems, especially with Honda's CVT issues (except their hybrids)? Be careful assuming Honda is "the" reliable brand. As Alex said in other reviews, Kia is the "Cinderella story" with reliability rivaling the Japanese brands. I agree that one should research from multiple sources, but I never said the Soul was "top of it's class" while others the opposite. What I meant was CR rated the Soul "above average" while the Fit was "average", just like all the other Honda models except for the Accord. I've owned 2 recent Hondas. If fact, I traded my 2014 CRZ for a 2016 Soul.
+cadsux I'm just saying that Honda has proven itself as a manufacturer to produce some of the most reliable cars out there. They are not alone in that respect as most all brands have upped their game. I'm sure most all owners of Honda Fits do not have issues, while some do, just as it is with any car. I didn't say the Soul was top of the class either. I'm sure owners of both will likely have few to no issues at all. Just because CR might rate one lower in reliability does not sway me in the slightest.
Im about to buy a car and idk if i should buy a Soul or a Fit
Very good detailed review! From my side no way I ever buy KIA. Honda Civic, Fit, HR-V all the best reliable cars and cheaper.
Soul is very Reliable. One of the most reliable and safest cars you can buy today.
Great review but after the relentless hamster commercials and the overall bad design of previous models I have a strong bias against the Soul
+suezotiger Well because I have adblock I never saw the commercial plus I don't watch tv so like Alex I had one for the best bang for the buck.
no AWD = Wagon/Hatchback
I'm *#Kiasoul*
#HandyHelperHandle
first
Kia sucks
Fugly car, with a rental fleet interior.
Why is it that EVs always have these ugly wheels? It's some kind of EV wheel design conspiracy between manufacturers
+nirsilgi Those are aerodynamic wheels. They keep the aerodynamic drag lower.
+Andrej Potokar I can see that but if Tesla can do better looking wheels, I think others can differentiate themselves too. I wonder how much eMPG are those ugly wheels really saving.
+nirsilgi Tesla also had aero wheels as an option: teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/attachments/aeros-jpg.30310/
So, Tesla is no saint either ;-)
Dork mobile.
Got to be some of the ugliest wheels ever. Kia seems to specialize in ugly wheels and I wonder why??
Kia Soul is the ugliest car on the planet.
Do you remember the Pontiac Aztec? Yikes
Joshua Rutter I forgot, sorry. Both are ugly