It’s official – in the words of ’60s R ‘n’ B duo Sam and Dave, I’m a Soul man.
A Kia Soul man, that is, after driving the decidedly impressive new electric version of the funk-laden four-door which became available to buy….. just as we were told not to make any journey not regarded as ‘essential’.
But now that we’re allowed to roam free by car in search of places in which to ‘exercise’, perhaps its time to take a closer look at the oddball, ‘sub-compact’ Soul crossover that first arrived in petrol and diesel-powered form back in 2009, immediately dividing opinion because of its boxy looks penned by Mike Torpey of Kia’s California design studio – who is said to have been inspired ‘by the strong and purposeful appearance of a wild boar’.
An electric Soul based on the second generation model was unveiled in 2014 but, like most EVs of the era, it could only be driven for around 130 miles before needing a re-charge – a distance that made it an impractical proposition for those considering it as an only car.
The Kia Soul EV
I have always liked the design, both for its unusual style and the load-lugging practicality of the high roof, hatchback format – something that is enhanced on the new EV by dint of the fact that it has been designed as an electric car from the ground up.
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