As Autoblog noted, initially, Kia put off shipping the second-generation Soul EV to the United States because of supply concerns. For many individuals, 2020 wasn’t a wonderful year, and for Kia, there weren’t enough batteries to go around. As a result, Kia had to make a decision, and they finally decided to push back the Soul EV until 2021.
However, that delay quickly turned into the Soul EV’s complete cancellation, at least for America. Kia chose to discontinue producing any Soul EV models for the American market, although it will still be offered in other areas, according to Autoblog. The fundamental cause of the Soul EV’s U.S. discontinuation was straightforward, and it’s actually connected to the original reason the second generation was delayed.
The Niro EV car received priority for batteries because Kia believed it to be superior. The Niro EV has no competition inside the Kia brand now that the Soul EV has been discontinued in the United States, thus the business can concentrate on battling other automakers.
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Why was the Kia Soul EV withdrawn from sale?
The 2020 Kia Soul EV costs 319,900 NOK (US$ 36,600)[note 3] in Norway, which is significantly cheaper than the price of the larger Kia Niro EV and less than its domestic rival, the Hyundai Kona Electric (another potential competitor, the Chevrolet Bolt, is no longer imported to Europe via official channels).
The alleged cause for reducing Soul EV manufacturing and delaying arrival into the US market until 2021 was that Hyundai-Kia decided to shift batteries to the production of the more costly Kia Niro (the Niro and the Soul use the same battery).
[36]
The sole Soul model offered in Europe is the Soul EV. In the first 10 months of 2020, 6,768 units were sold in Europe. [37]
What number of Kia Soul EVs were sold?
701,416 vehicles were sold in the United States in 2021, up 19.7 percent from the previous year, according to Kia America. Sales in the fourth quarter were 145,891.
The Kia Niro EV, specifically, saw 2,890 all-electric vehicle sales in Q4up 202 percent year over yearmaking it the second-best quarter in company history.
Approximately 2% of all Kia sales in the US are all-electric vehicles. Sadly, the manufacturer doesn’t provide sales data for plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Kia Niro EV sales in the U.S. in Q4 2021
The business sold about 8,733 electric vehicles in 2021 (up 206 percent year over year), showing that the Niro EV is thriving compared to prior years.
The unavailability of the recalled Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV could contribute to the issue.
Sales of Kia BEVs in the US in 2021:
- 8,717 Kia Niro EV (up 206 percent )
- 16 Kia Soul EV units (Since the new generation is not sold in the United States, those must be some of the final examples of the previous generation’s vehicles.)
- Total – 8,733 (up 206 percent )
Kia sold a total of 20,389 all-electric vehicles in the United States, including 14,073 Niros and 6,316 Souls.
Gallery: 2022 Kia Niro EV
The introduction of the Kia EV6 in early 2022 will mark the beginning of Kia’s next chapter in the US. EPA range ratings of up to 310 miles have already been given to the vehicle. We predict that in only one year, sales of the EV6 might surpass those of the Kia BEVs together, but only time will tell how well it will sell.
Another E-GMP-based Hyundai Motor Group vehicle, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, entered the market in December; 153 units were delivered before the end of the year.
Will there be a Kia Soul in 2022?
The Kia Soul makes its debut in 2022 with few revisions. The manual transmission from last year has been dropped. A new LX Technology Package that allows customers to add cutting-edge safety features has been added to the base trim, while Kia has added a few additional standard features to its mid-level trims.
How long do the batteries in a Kia Soul EV last?
The normal battery life of a 2020 Kia Soul is 3 to 5 years, although actual battery life might vary greatly depending on driving behavior, weather, and battery type. Even yet, a battery’s performance may not be at its peak even if it isn’t fully dead.
Is the Kia Soul being phased out by Kia?
The Kia Soul gets a makeover for the 2023 model year that features a redesigned lineup and an angrier mug. For 2023, Kia has reduced the number of Soul models available, removing the X-Line and Turbo trims.
Do Kia Souls have many issues?
The Kia Soul dominated the market for more than ten years with its boxy appearance, which people either love or detest, good safety ratings, and a long list of standard amenities. Today, the Soul is among Kia’s best-selling vehicles and is still a serious competitor in the subcompact crossover SUV market.
Despite being a reliable small SUV, there have been several problems, complaints, and recalls across a number of model years. There are some Kia Soul years to stay away from when purchasing used.
The worst Kia Soul years to steer clear of due to reliability difficulties are listed below, along with the safest years for used purchasing.
Which Kia Soul Years to Avoid?
If at all possible, stay away from buying a secondhand Kia Soul from one of the following model years:
- Kia Soul 2012
- Kia Soul (2013)
- Kia Soul (2014)
- Kia Soul 2015
- Kia Soul 2016
Kia Soul
The 2012 Kia Soul should be avoided at all costs, according to the people from Car Reports, who cite 470 NHTSA complaints. Body integrity issues and flawed safety features were its principal shortcomings.
Clunking noises when turning are this Soul year’s most prevalent problem. Owners have mentioned hearing a clunking or popping sound when rotating the steering wheel. Additionally, some owners have heard loud rattles when driving on roads or hitting small bumps. Owners are perplexed that there hasn’t been a recall because this body integrity issue is so prevalent.
The 2012 Soul’s unlatched hood while driving is another potential issue. Although this is a rare problem, it poses a serious safety risk, particularly on roads or freeways.
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Kia Soul
Several owners of the 2013 Soul have suffered engine failure, which has been known to occur at roughly 85,000 miles or more. Some users reported hearing a banging sound emanating from the engine, while others just experienced an engine failure. The expected fix for this issue is to replace the engine, which will set you back a whooping $5,000.
A few owners reported that their Soul’s engine had started to make a ticking noise, which is less serious. The ticking noise, which may be anywhere from mildly bothersome to frighteningly loud, compels owners to visit their nearby Kia dealership. With an average repair cost of $4,100, we cannot recommend the Soul model year.
Kia Soul
The 2014 Kia Soul is the greatest loser in terms of complaints. The 2014 Soul is unquestionably one of the worst Kia Soul years to stay away from, receiving more than 900 complaints. Similar to the 2013 Kia Soul, the 2014 model similarly receives a pitiful 1 out of 5 stars from Consumer Reports.
One of the 2014 Soul’s most serious problems, according to a number of Consumer Reports owners, is engine failure. This issue appears to be connected to the oil pump in the Soul, which results in higher-than-normal oil consumption by the engine. One owner said that the car began requiring a quart of oil every 300 miles.
The 2014 Soul has a terrible comeback of the engine’s annoying ticking/knocking noise. The initial diagnosis by technicians is that this occurs at about 105k miles and is caused by low oil. However, the owners who are meticulous and keep up with their oil changes are the ones who complain the most.
Kia Soul
The 2015 Kia Soul is another vehicle you ought to stay away from, with more than 700 NHTSA complaints and four recalls to its name. The 2015 model of the Soul has numerous engine problems, just like the other problematic Souls on our list.
Engine failure is the issue that needs to be addressed first. Around 80k miles is the typical mileage at which this problem appears. Many customers have noted that the engine initially made knocking or ticking noises or began to burn more oil. The Soul’s engine finally just stopped working. You will be responsible for paying the estimated $4,620 cost of the engine rebuild or replacement if this occurs.
Excessive oil use is another area of concern. It seems that the engine guzzles oil like it’s nobody’s business when it’s not breaking down.
Check out our list of the top 10 most dependable used sedans available if you’re ready to start looking for a used automobile and reliability is important to you.
Kia Soul
The number one issue with the 2016 Soul, as measured by the severity scale, is a blown engine. According to several accounts, the 2016 Soul’s engine is prone to blowing up, particularly after 90k miles. This is not only dangerous, but an engine replacement will cost you almost $7,000 as well.
Additionally, Kia Soul owners complained that their car simply won’t start. Although there are indications that there may be a battery issue, most concerns are unrelated to this.
Common Kia Soul Problems
Although the Kia Soul is extremely reliable in every way, there are a few persistent issues that impact cars from a few years ago. Here are a few examples:
- spike in cruise control There are rumors that some Soul models have a surgey cruise control technology. Owners reported that when the SUV was in cruise control mode, it would suddenly accelerate and then slow down to a crawl. As of the time of writing, Kia has not yet addressed this potentially deadly problem.
- a ticking clock
- Although it’s not the most typical of Soul models, 2013 Soul owners find it extremely annoying. Hearing loud knocking or ticking noises emanating from the engine is not enjoyable. The Kia Soul has yet another problem with its engine.
- spinning while clicking
- The 2012 Soul’s clunking sounds when turning were a problem for owners. This is unquestionably a body integrity issue that Kia overlooked.
This question’s solution is more complex than you might think. Let’s examine the distinctions between gasoline and diesel engines as well as the precise number of spark plugs that a diesel engine truly has.
Kia Soul
One of the most dependable Kia Soul generations was the second one ever produced. A adaptable, reasonably priced, and all-around useful compact SUV is the 2011 Soul. Car Complaints awarded the 2011 Soul a “Pretty Good” Seal of Approval for dependability, stating that it is “pleasant to drive, roomy, and trustworthy.”
Kia Soul
The 2018 Soul features a huge luggage area, a roomy interior, a nimble turbocharged engine, and top-notch reliability ratings. In fact, the 2018 Soul received a fantastic Quality & Reliability score from J.D. Power of 84 out of 100.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul made a victorious comeback the following year with its 2019 year model. The 2019 Kia Soul received praise for its smooth ride, great utility, and respectable fuel efficiency. You may put your reliability concerns to rest because the 2019 Kia Soul received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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What will the price of the 2020 Kia Soul EV be?
The base EX model level of the 2019 Kia Niro EV crossover utility vehicle will be available for purchase for $44,995, before freight and delivery fees. The price of the Niro EV SX Touring is $53,995.
The base MSRP for the Premium model of the 2020 Kia Soul EV, which is categorized as a car, is $42,595 before freight and delivery fees, while the Soul EV Limited will start at $51,595.
In all four instances, Canadian customers will receive a federal rebate of up to $5,000, a second reimbursement of up to $8,000 for residents of Quebec, and a before-tax rebate of up to $5,000 for residents of British Columbia.
The Kia Niro EV and Kia Soul EV are currently for sale. But it doesn’t matter because the federal rebate will only be available for cars bought or leased as of May 1, 2019.
Where was the Kia Soul EV made?
The Soul, which was created at Kia’s design studio in California and had its debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, is made in South Korea. Kia has been selling the Soul EV, an electric model, since 2014.