Kia Soul EV or Nissan Leaf?

Kia has decided to offer the all-electric Soul EV in the UK. Recognisable by a blanked-off grille and unique 16” alloy wheels, its specification closely matches that of the rival Nissan Leaf.

Powering the five-door Soul EV is a 109 bhp (81 kW / 110 PS) motor which sits beneath the bonnet. Energy is supplied by an under-floor 192-cell lithium-ion polymer battery pack that features a dedicated heating and cooling system.

Unsurprisingly, numerous measures have been taken to maximise range. These include the fitment of low-rolling-resistance tyres, regenerative braking, various aerodynamic aids and a more efficient air conditioner.

So how does the Soul EV measure up against the Leaf? Looking at the stats below, it seems that in terms of performance and range Kia’s engineers have made sure that their car just beats the Nissan (even if for some measures the advantage is negligible).

Conversely, the Leaf appears to be marginally quicker overall when it comes to battery replenishment, however an onboard 6.6 kW charger isn’t standard.

Unfortunately buyers of the Kia won’t have any choice as far as equipment levels and pricing are concerned. Yes, the Soul EV has a decent level of kit, but only one version is available. Four trim grades and the option to separately lease the battery should mean that Nissan’s electric hatchback continues to appeal to a broader budget spectrum.

Kia’s UK sales expectations for the Soul EV are modest, though. Thanks to production constraints, 200 units at most will be retailed during the model’s first year via a network of just thirteen selected dealers.

Model	Soul EV	Leaf Visia^	Leaf Tekna^
OTR price	£29,995	£26,490	£30,590
Price net of Plug-in Car Grant	£24,995	£21,490	£25,590
Technical specifications
Power	109 bhp (81 kW / 110 PS)	107 bhp (80 kW / 109 PS)
Torque	285 Nm (210 lb/ft)	254 Nm (187 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	11.2 secs	11.5 secs
Top speed	90 mph (145 km/h)	87 mph (140 km/h)	89 mph (143 km/h)
Battery capacity	27 kWh	24 kWh
Maximum range	132 miles (212 km)	124 miles (199 km)
Recharge time (domestic socket)	11 - 14 hours	12 hours
Recharge time (dedicated wallbox)	4 - 5 hours	4 hours
Recharge time (public rapid charger to 80% capacity)	33 minutes	30 minutes
Standard equipment
Onboard 6.6 kW charger	Yes	Optional*
Rapid charge socket	Yes	Yes	Yes
Satellite navigation	Yes	No	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes	Yes
DAB radio	Yes	No	No
Cruise control	Yes	No	Yes
Reversing camera	Yes	No	Yes
Front parking sensors	Yes	No	Yes**
Rear parking sensors	Yes	No	Yes**
LED headlights	No	No	Yes
Leather upholstery	No	No	Yes
Heated front seats	Yes	No	Yes
Heated steering wheel	Yes	No	Yes
Air conditioning	Yes	Yes	Yes
Climate control	Yes	No	Yes
Power folding / heated door mirrors	Yes	No	Yes
Rear privacy glass	Yes	No	Yes
Keyless entry	Yes	Yes	Yes
Metallic paint	Yes	Optional***
Alloy wheels	Yes	No	Yes
Tyre pressure monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes
^ Nissan Leaf trim grades: Visia (£21,490), Visia+ (£22,590), Acenta (£23,590), Tekna (£25,590). Purchase prices reduce by a further £5,000 under the Flex scheme, but then the battery pack must be leased separately for between £70 and £129 per month (actual payment depends on term and annual mileage).
* £1,150 option.
** 360° Around View Monitor.
*** £525 option.

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