Test Drive: Kia Soul EV vs Bolt Premiere vs 2013 Leaf SV

[oilerlord]

Thanks for posting your review.

In terms of power/acceleration I found the Soul EV pretty lackluster too but I think a lot of us tend to do the drag race thing on test drives which can yield an unfair overall bias to the car with the most power. For some, tire-shredding acceleration is very important to them. For me, I drive my car around in the "economy" power mode which limits the motor's output in favor of driving efficiently. Only rarely do I unleash the fury of "sport" mode, and it's ludicrous 177 hp & 251 lb-ft of torque.

[LeftieBiker]

Thanks for posting your review.

In terms of power/acceleration I found the Soul EV pretty lackluster too but I think a lot of us tend to do the drag race thing on test drives which can yield an unfair overall bias to the car with the most power. For some, tire-shredding acceleration is very important to them. For me, I drive my car around in the "economy" power mode which limits the motor's output in favor of driving efficiently. Only rarely do I unleash the fury of "sport" mode, and it's ludicrous 177 hp & 251 lb-ft of torque.

I too use Eco mode 95% of the time. It should also be noted that there were three people in the Soul at the time. Maybe it does accelerate as fast as a Leaf at low speeds if there is just one person aboard.

[oilerlord]

Conclusion: I'd cheerfully lease an EV trim Soul instead of an EV+ and install aftermarket parking cameras, but naturally the dealership only has EV+ cars left on the lot. The interior wasn't as nice as my Leaf's, at least from my perspective, but it was still less annoying than the Bolt's. The button for the electric parking brake is located down in a well in front of and between the seats with the parking sensor button, and it's both hard to locate and rather indifferent to requests to activate - you have to press it firmly.There is no reason, IMO, to get an EV+ unless you like leather-covered seats with air conditioning channels in them. I did like the energy saving driver-only climate control mode, but didn't test it as I had my housemate along for the ride.

FINANCIALS: The Soul lease is the best buy out there, right now.

So, is a Soul EV your next EV?

[paulgipe]

It's unfortunate you don't live in California. There are some very good lease deals. We paid net $3000 after state and regional subsidies for 3 year lease.

Good review. Useful.

[LeftieBiker]

I remain wary of the Soul EV simply because there are rumors of battery degradation and the 93 mile EPA range is only about 10 miles more than the very least range I'd accept. If I have to lease a car now, I'm leaning towards the Bolt LT, although I could also forgo the Federal tax credit, spend more than I want, and get a Leaf SV without the Tech Package next year. I don't like ANY of the options in that "no tax credit" scenario...

[KentS]

If I was going to be looking for a stopgap EV with range around 90 miles, I'd find myself a Spark EV which is quicker and more nimble in traffic than a KIA Soul EV. Fold the rear seats down and it'll carry lots. Turning radius is so small it makes U-turns where other cars have to stop, back up and resume. But I'm from California - if you are from where no Spark EVs were sold, then ignore this post. Unfortunately...

[LeftieBiker]

There is at least one Spark in my area. Too small. The Leaf is about the perfect size for me, although I wouldn't hate one a few inches shorter. The Bolt isn't too small for me, just too uncomfortable and...disjointed?...inside.

[oilerlord]

If I was going to be looking for a stopgap EV with range around 90 miles, I'd find myself a Spark EV which is quicker and more nimble in traffic than a KIA Soul EV. Fold the rear seats down and it'll carry lots.

I dig the Spark EV too, but my wife veto'd it. I was intoxicated by it's tire melting torque but she made me come to the logical realization that it was too small. Lots of guys like the 500e too. Fun, and incredibly affordable (especially used) but way to small for us - yes, even with the rear seats down.