Kia Soul EV vs i3 Road Test in Auto Express

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PluviaPlumbum

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Kia Soul EV vs i3 BEV in Auto Express Magazine. Interesting that they have both on their long term test fleet, hopefully they will get around to a comparison of i3 Rex vs Audi eTron in the near future

Link here :- http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDkQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autoexpress.co.uk%2Fbmw&ei=e0GuVJeCIo_ZaoPwgYAH&usg=AFQjCNEMDhOY16zwyY8rkV2HI4dCmqlv9Q
 
Is the Soul EV sold in all markets or is it just a compliance car? Any car company can make a few thousand "technology demonstrators" and put them in a very few select markets and make them available to a few select people. Is that what is happening here or does Kia intend to sell these in the tens of thousands to all comers in all markets like BMW? If not then it's not really a fair comparison is it? I suppose the real test is: is Kia planning to sell enough to make a profit on these? Because if not they are just pretending and we really shouldn't take them seriously.
 
mindmachine said:
mtd240 said:
Seems rather silly to compare a Kia to a BMW...
Click to expand...

Much more than silly in my book it doesn't even compare utterly ridiculous!
Click to expand...

A little harsh possibly, Kia have produced credible EV with a better range (recently proven with an independent test) than the i3 BEV, for a similar price and with a better kit list as standard.
So I think that a back to back test is perfectly legit. If you read the article it does point out the weaker performance/dynamics and conventional construction = weight penalty of the Kia. But this is not the only buying criteria that you might look to when considering an EV for some folks. On the subjective side you can argue that BMW brand values have more appeal than those of Kia given their sporting heritage. But I wouldn't dismiss the Korans just yet as they have established themselves as serious players in the world automotive markets. I don't think their first EV will be the compliance special that a previous poster seem to assume it is.

Range test here by Next Green Carhttp://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCoQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextgreencar.com%2Fnews%2F6898%2FNGC-range-test-the-Kia-Soul-EV&ei=WhmwVMKFBNbuaM3OgcgO&usg=AFQjCNEm4ZbxA7JzOIRrXTZ4KGsH4nHmog&bvm=bv.83339334,d.d2s and on Utube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjHbf9zm0-o, Don't get me wrong I would not be a likely Kia purchaser, but there are plenty of customers that put value and discounted pricing ahead of style & performance, especially for what may well be a secondary vehicle in the household.
 
I think the Kia Soul EV is an interesting car for the price and range. Performance looks very disappointing though, but it's horses for courses, I guess.
 
Sorry but put me in the camp that considers this a lame comparison. The only reason the article exists is that both are EVs. Otherwise the i3 and Soul don't compete. What if there were a gas-only i3, would the two still be compared?
 
While it appears the BMW is in a class of its own -it kicked our ass in the battery mileage obtained (125+miles) at least in their Promo video.

I do envy the fact the Kia was smart enough to make the engine accessible, I like looking and putting my hands on the hamsters!

Mike
 

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