Mick Wilson drives a KIA Soul EV 64kWh 2020.
This is Mick’s first electric car, he’s owned the KIA Soul EV from new and drives 10,000-15,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 20,000-30,000 miles and he achieves 230 miles from a full charge.
Why did you choose the KIA Soul EV?
Range, specification, size of upfront payment and availability.
Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car
- Environmental credentials
- low cost to run
- great range
- heated seats and steering wheel
- active cruise control.
Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car
- Reversing camera gets very dirty very quickly
- doors do not cover sills – dirty trousers when getting in and out!
- hard plastic on the door speakers is very uncomfortable to lean your knee on for a long journey
- lane keeping assist is a bit variable
- no battery pre-heat
- lack of wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?
No faults albeit there was a recall which was sorted.
What are the standout technological features of the car?
- Heads Up Display – good to have information right in the eyeline
- auto-dimming headlights – absolutely rock solid
- sport mode – drive it like you stole it!
- eco mode – best range
- level 3 regen is very close to Nissan ‘one pedal’ driving.
Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car
The HUD is not on most cars and surprises most people who see it. I once took the car on the M6 motorway and didn’t use the brake once between the outskirts of Glasgow and Carlisle, brake regen all the way.
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What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?
MG4 or BYD Atto – upfront costs on others take them out of my reach.
Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements
bp Chargemaster 7kW
Positives:
- Completely reliable for manual charging
- most effective.
Negatives:
- A bit variable in its scheduled charging, sometimes just charges as soon as you plug it in. Other times, it will do the standard 00:30-04:30 stipulated on my Octopus Go tariff.
- no ‘smart’ features like you find on the zappi.
Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements
Octopus Go on 7.5p – 0030-0430 – just about the best on the market
Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a KIA Soul EV
- Servicing – less £100 per annum
- fuel – with my home solar/battery system I’m getting about 1.5p per mile
- zero road tax
- ULEZ access – I save a minimum of £180 per month.
See other owner reviews here
