Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
If you thought the Soul is as boxy as Kia can get, wait until the third generation comes along. Codenamed SK3, the heir-apparent is expected to make its world debut in October 2018.
Even though sales of the electric option are sluggish in the United States of America, Kia is guaranteed to go ahead with the third generation for a particularly good reason. Being twinned with the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia Soul EV is certain to feature the 64-kWh battery and 201-horsepower drive unit with 291 pound-feet of torque.
The entry-level battery (39.2 kWh) will also be available, although it remains to be seen if Kia can make a case for it in North America. Turning our attention back to the Kona Electric, the Environmental Protection Agency rated the electrified crossover 258 miles while Hyundai promises 250 miles on a full charge.
In regard to efficiency, the 120 MPGe makes the Kona Electric superior to the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The South Korean automaker hasn’t offered pricing information up to this point, but chances are Hyundai will keep things between $35,000 and $40,000. Over in Germany, the e-CUV retails from €34,600 and €39,000, respectively.
Being a part of the same family, the 2020 Kia Soul EV won’t differ too much from the Kona Electric in terms of performance, efficiency, and pricing. The styling, however, is at odds with the Hyundai. On the other hand, a right-angled bodywork and longer wheelbase translate to more room and cargo capacity.
Spied doing its thing on the Nurburgring, the Soul EV features a slimmer version of the tiger-nose grille, which is flanked by two full-LED headlight clusters with LED daytime running lights. Over at the rear, the prototype’s taillamps appear to feature halogen bulbs for the turn signals and light-emitting diodes for the rest of the system.
As for the internal combustion-engined 2020 Kia Soul, the range will be topped by the GT. In a similar fashion to the 2019 Kia Ceed GT, the Soul will feature the 1.6-liter T-GDi four-cylinder turbo, developing an estimated 204 PS (201 horsepower) and 265 Nm (195 pound-feet).
Just like the second generation, most SK3 models (including the Soul EV) will be manufactured at the Gwangju plant in the sixth largest city in South Korea. Production will be supplemented by the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad, Russia. In addition to Hyundai and Kia models, Avtotor also produces automobiles for BMW and FAW.
The entry-level battery (39.2 kWh) will also be available, although it remains to be seen if Kia can make a case for it in North America. Turning our attention back to the Kona Electric, the Environmental Protection Agency rated the electrified crossover 258 miles while Hyundai promises 250 miles on a full charge.
In regard to efficiency, the 120 MPGe makes the Kona Electric superior to the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The South Korean automaker hasn’t offered pricing information up to this point, but chances are Hyundai will keep things between $35,000 and $40,000. Over in Germany, the e-CUV retails from €34,600 and €39,000, respectively.
Being a part of the same family, the 2020 Kia Soul EV won’t differ too much from the Kona Electric in terms of performance, efficiency, and pricing. The styling, however, is at odds with the Hyundai. On the other hand, a right-angled bodywork and longer wheelbase translate to more room and cargo capacity.
Spied doing its thing on the Nurburgring, the Soul EV features a slimmer version of the tiger-nose grille, which is flanked by two full-LED headlight clusters with LED daytime running lights. Over at the rear, the prototype’s taillamps appear to feature halogen bulbs for the turn signals and light-emitting diodes for the rest of the system.
As for the internal combustion-engined 2020 Kia Soul, the range will be topped by the GT. In a similar fashion to the 2019 Kia Ceed GT, the Soul will feature the 1.6-liter T-GDi four-cylinder turbo, developing an estimated 204 PS (201 horsepower) and 265 Nm (195 pound-feet).
Just like the second generation, most SK3 models (including the Soul EV) will be manufactured at the Gwangju plant in the sixth largest city in South Korea. Production will be supplemented by the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad, Russia. In addition to Hyundai and Kia models, Avtotor also produces automobiles for BMW and FAW.
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