The compact crossover SUV from the Korean automaker made an awe-inspiring entry at the 2018 LA Auto Show last Wednesday. The boxy shape 2019 Kia Soul comes with lots of upgrades. Kia also offers the Soul EV model, which is built on a new platform to offer more space and better handling.
The 2019 Kia Soul is offered with a couple of engine options including a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 good for 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter inline-4 pumping out 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. The standard model is mated to a six-speed manual transmission while the turbocharged model is paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The powered it routed to the front wheels only.
Talking about the Kia Soul EV, it has a 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery, which powers the electric motor. The combined output of this model stands at 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque, which is a lot better than the earlier version. Kia did not reveal the drive range and charge times, however, if we consider the 2019 Kia Niro EV, which also has the same battery, it offers around 239 miles of range. With only 30 minutes of charge, the Niro can cover 100 miles.
The new Soul EV has a lot to offer on the road when it comes to driving modes. These modes adjust power output to the motor, regenerative braking, air conditioning, and heating settings to render a smooth drive.
The 2019 Kia Soul will hit the road sometime next year. The pricing details and other information will be available near the market launch. The 2018 Soul starts from AED 56,900 in the UAE.