Kia Soul redesign revealed for the US.
Kia has revealed its facelifted Soul for the US market, although the car was removed from sale in Australia in 2019. Kia Australia has commented that it would like to bring any electric models it can locally, meaning the Kia Soul EV, which would look visually similar to this model, might be an option.
The US facelift gets plenty of revisions at the front, where the new Kia logo is incorporated into the upper blanked-off grille between the two headlights, which have also been redesigned with a different daytime running light signature.
The lower grille shape remains the same but with new chrome detailing, while the fog lights are now much smaller and lower down.
The sides remain largely unchanged, aside from a simpler lower trim and a new alloy wheel design. Head to the rear and you’ll find a central exhaust, which will obviously be omitted from the Soul EV, plus vertical rear reflectors rather than the current model’s horizontal ones. The rear lights haven’t changed shape, but they look to have a darker finish.
The Soul looks virtually identical inside, although it does feature some altered heating vents and trim on the door cards. In all other respects Kia has kept the same formula, meaning you get the same ​​10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system as opposed to the larger twin 12.3-inch screens of the new Sportage.
The powertrain for the new Soul EV will almost certainly be the same as the upcoming Niro EV. Expect a 64.8kWh battery producing 150kW and 255Nm of torque. Maximum range is likely to be marginally higher than the current car’s 450km, while charging rates should also be better with the 77kW charger able to replenish 80 per cent of the battery in around 45 minutes.
Alastair Crooks