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Kia Soul - Kia's funky crossover plays on new notes, including electric ones

In recent years, smaller SUVs have literally gone "for honey", but despite this, Kia's soul is still considered a true exotic. With the cosmetic renovation, they want to bring one of the first crossovers in the segment closer to a wider target audience, in many respects, as well as set new trends. The latter comes at the expense of the electric drive, which Kia and Soul are the first to offer.

Cosmetic renovation thus brought much more originality to soul and also recognizable shape, which, in addition to the fact that it is significantly more modern than its predecessor, should also be much more to the liking of European buyers. It can be recognized by the new front and rear parts, which at first attract attention new bonnet, fog lights, bumper and consequently also the lights, there are fewer changes on the side, as only the mudguards in which it is attached are slightly different a new line of alloy wheels. On the rear, we again find several differences, namely the rear has received a nice two-tone note, and the vertically positioned lights now shine in LED technicians.

The new soul got a concretely different nose and rear, which is even more futuristic in the electric version. The electric soul can also be distinguished by special two-tone rims, which measure 16 inches in favor of the greatest possible range.
The new soul got a concretely different nose and rear, which is even more futuristic in the electric version. The electric soul can also be distinguished by special two-tone rims, which measure 16 inches in favor of the greatest possible range.

Soul is first time also available in the electric version, which was also concretely distanced from the "civilian" ones in terms of design and given a more "full" front part of the vehicle, as the mask is almost completely covered, but it also hides filling hole, in which there is a nicely placed socket for connecting to the electrical network. The bumper, fog lights are also different, and there is even more two-tone throughout the entire body of the vehicle. On the side, we find more aerodynamic solid alloy wheels, which swirl the air much better than the classic ones.

Many rejuvenating touches were also made by the designers inside, especially on the dashboard, which thanks to the new 8-inch navi screen more modern, much better to the touch and look, and the materials also seem. The driver has new ones in front of him super vision gauges, the upholstery and door panels are also better. In electric soul, there are certain elements, among which it also belongs fabric seats from bio materials, there are also more light tones, as the various shades of black and gray in "civilian" soul, in electric soul are replaced by white and light gray.

The interior is strongly similar in all versions. The electric only has slightly lighter materials and gauges adapted to the electric drive and a display on the (always standard) 8"-inch central screen. The CVT automatic takes the place where the manual gearbox or the classic automatic is found in the "civilian" versions.
The interior is strongly similar in all versions. The electric one only has slightly lighter materials and gauges adapted to the electric drive and a display on the (always standard) 8-inch center screen. The CVT automatic takes the place where the manual gearbox or the classic automatic is found in the "civilian" versions.

A big step forward was also made in the field of advanced technique, within which soul is richer for button to start the vehicle and smart key, and the first in the segment can (maybe) also boast s parking assistance. There are also automatic switching between high and low beams and a warning system for sudden changes in direction. Front seats they are, in addition to the heating function, it now has another possibility of cooling, and the heating function was moved to the second row. Among the accessories we also find Infinity's audio system, navigation device, and they update you free of charge for the same duration as the vehicle warranty, i.e. seven years.

The trunk in all versions measures 354 liters as a base, and when the seat bench is folded down, the space increases to a maximum of 1,367 liters. The gasoline and diesel versions also have a spacious compartment under the double, which is significantly smaller in the electric version due to the battery assembly.
The trunk in all versions measures 354 liters as a base, and when the seat bench is folded down, the space increases to a maximum of 1,367 liters. The gasoline and diesel versions also have a spacious compartment under the double, which is significantly smaller in the electric version due to the battery assembly.

In the case of motorbikes, they are now only available two 1.6-liter aggregates namely gasoline he can 103, and diesel 94 kilowatts. Electric soul drives 81 kW electric motor, which draws energy from 27 kWh lithium ion battery pack. The electric soul emits absolutely no harmful emissions while driving, while the diesel and gasoline versions release 125 and 139 grams of CO2 into the environment per km. The Electric Soul can be charged both via home sockets (230V) as on a fast charger, except that in the case of the latter, charging takes about half an hour instead of 4-5 hours. The gearboxes in the "civilian" Souls are six-speed manual or six-speed automatic for an additional fee, only the electric Soul has CVT stepless automatic transmission.

READ MORE: We were the first to test Kia's electric pioneer

The Soul is now only available in combination with the package EX wonder, which is more than generous with equipment. Basically, the buyer gets: LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking aids and parking camera, automatic air conditioning, small leather package, cruise control, steering wheel hardness adjustment system - flex steer, audio device with steering wheel switches and bluetooth, start button and smart key, lights with function "follow me home" and a self-dimming interior mirror.

The electric soul in the "snowflake" hides an opening for charging via a home socket, the cycle of which lasts somewhere between 4-5 hours, and if you "connect" to a fast charger, you will be able to drive away with full batteries in half an hour.
The electric soul in the "snowflake" hides an opening for charging via a home socket, the cycle of which lasts around 4-5 hours, but if you "connect" to a fast charging station, you will be able to drive away with full batteries in half an hour.

Prices for the petrol-powered Soul start at 21 thousand euros, for a diesel must be added to this at least a thousand. For electric it will be necessary to line up, as only about a thousand vehicles or a little more will be available annually, and it will be necessary to pay for at least 33 thousand.

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More information:
www.kia.si/novisoul

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