Last month I had the honor of being one of the first to take the newest electric car out on the road Kia’s Soul EV. Mind you, I’ve driven my share of hybrids…both gas and combined gas/electric, but THIS was my virgin drive in a true EV. Would I be a convert or a hater?
I came with pre-conceived notions, but this is Kia and for some reason, they ALWAYS surprise me
1. An electric powered car has to be small
Not so. Kia’s Soul EV is a standard size Soul….and you all know how much I LOVED driving my bumble-bee yellow Soul! around town when it arrived at the mansion. While we were two to a car, we could have easily packed in three more, without looking like clowns at a circus. Roomy and luxurious, the Soul EV even had enough head room for Mr. S (and he’s 6’2″)
2. EV’s are geeky looking
The two-toned blue and white Soul EV was JUST what I had been asking for from Kia. I always knew that it would make a great surfer-style car and with the contrasting roof color it does just that. Toss in your beach gear and GO GO GO. People will be staring at you as cruise down the highway…with JEALOUSY.
3. They must be noisy
I was expecting to hear a loud fan (don’t ask me why), instead what I got was silence….pure silence (until I cranked up the tunes on that fabulous radio). The beauty of an EV like this is that there is no motor noise, and Kia made this baby so TIGHT that you don’t even hear the sounds of the wheels on pavement.
4. I could NEVER afford one
Ahem! Not if you’re buying a Tesla, but this is a KIA. The Soul EV is priced in the low-mid 30’s!!! Plus, with what you save on gas, it’s a no brainer. Add to that the $7500 federal tax credit, and the cost is the same as the compact hybrid that’s in my driveway.
5. You’ll barely make it to the grocery & back
Gone are the days of only being able to go a few miles. The estimated driving range of 93 miles on the highway and 120 miles in the city (105 miles combined), means that day to day driving is COVERED!
6. It’s GOT to be stripped down
My Jeep is stripped down, this car has all of the bells and whistles that I LOVE…like a great sound system, Sirius/XM radio, Kia’s amazing NAVIGATION system, etc. There is a rear facing camera display for backing up, a bluetooth hands free system, and yes you get a power driver’s seat, and cruise control. It’s a REAL CAR!
7. You’re gonna see granny driving it
That’s why Mr. S didn’t want our first hybrid. He thought he’d look like an old man behind the wheel. HA! You can push this car to 90, which for me is fine, as I don’t need anything ELSE on my driving record (like a ticket). We were able to get it from 0 to 60 in about 12 seconds, so pick-up was good.
8. Mr S can’t fit his clubs in the trunk
I WISH!!! You can easily get in enough sets of golf clubs in the hatch for a foursome.
9. Why don’t I see them on the road?
Right now the Kia Soul EV is only available in limited areas. If you live in California, Oregon, New York, New Jersey or Maryland you’re in luck. The rest of us will have to wait a bit for them to be rolled out to the remainder of the country.
DETAILS
To learn where to buy, or when the new Kia Soul EV will be available in your area. Contact your local Kia Dealer or visit Kia.com.
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