No more Kia Soul EV for Canada, apparently

[MassDeduction]

According to https://mobile.guideautoweb.com/en/...-soul-ev-another-small-electric-car-bows-out/, the Kia Soul EV is no longer for Canada after 2023.

I spoke to my local dealership, and they not only confirmed the news they said they weren't going to be getting enough to even fulfill all their pre-orders.

What a weird decision. The Soul EV seemed uniquely popular in Canada, selling nearly 1:1 with the Niro EV the last time I saw a statistic broken out for Canada. And not even a final production run for all the pre-orders?!

 

[CanadianLurker]

According to https://mobile.guideautoweb.com/en/...-soul-ev-another-small-electric-car-bows-out/, the Kia Soul EV is no longer for Canada after 2023.

I spoke to my local dealership, and they not only confirmed the news they said they weren't going to be getting enough to even fulfill all their pre-orders.

What a weird decision. The Soul EV seemed uniquely popular in Canada, selling nearly 1:1 with the Niro EV the last time I saw a statistic broken out for Canada. And not even a final production run for all the pre-orders?!

Sad, but not really surprised. Soul EV is a “compromise” EV given that it’s based on an ICE chassis and structure. Kia has matured past this stage and now have dedicated EV platforms that were developed from the start to be an EV platform.

Hopefully, the next generation Soul drops ICE and is changed to an EV platform to be an EV only model. It’s really a fairly unique size/shape/design which makes it both practical and fun without all the compromises that usually come from having to choose between a sedan or a compact utility vehicle - it’s kind of a good blend of both worlds IMHO.

 

[IanL]

Actually, I understand that the Soul was designed originally to be suitable for ICE and BEV use. As far as I can see, the only disadvantage the EV has is no dedicated space for a spare wheel (the site is used for the battery cooling fan). I consider this is a big drawback - I've had two tyres shredded beyond the capability of the sealant to get me going again. Fortunately, I carry a spacesaver spare (from an ICE Soul) instead of the stowage tray under the trunk floor.

However, manufacturers don't want to fit EVs with spares, as they prefer to get the weight down, - it helps the range, which is a big selling point.

 

[ksoul2084]

Here's a report of one of their new models that seems to be slotting into the space the Soul used to hold:

https://electrek.co/2023/09/19/kia-ev4-spotted-testing-us-electric-soul-replacement/

 

[Ruming Jiang]

Actually, I understand that the Soul was designed originally to be suitable for ICE and BEV use. As far as I can see, the only disadvantage the EV has is no dedicated space for a spare wheel (the site is used for the battery cooling fan). I consider this is a big drawback - I've had two tyres shredded beyond the capability of the sealant to get me going again. Fortunately, I carry a spacesaver spare (from an ICE Soul) instead of the stowage tray under the trunk floor.

However, manufacturers don't want to fit EVs with spares, as they prefer to get the weight down, - it helps the range, which is a big selling point.

That's a good idea. Did you notice any loss of efficiency? I guess it is negligible.

 

[mariano3113]

Here's a report of one of their new models that seems to be slotting into the space the Soul used to hold:

https://electrek.co/2023/09/19/kia-ev4-spotted-testing-us-electric-soul-replacement/

The EV4 (assuming same as EV3 platform) 400V rather than 800V like current E-GMP seems like a side-grade.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Electric_Global_Modular_Platform


EV4 also seems to have larger dimensions, so not quite "Soul Sized"

Being in the USA it has been very disappointing that they EPA tested the newer Soul EV and then cancelled US release.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=43412


Wish they would have kept the nameplate or will bring it back in the future.

 

[IanL]

That's a good idea. Did you notice any loss of efficiency? I guess it is negligible.

No, it probably is. There's a thread on this board with pics.

 

[MassDeduction]

No, it probably is. There's a thread on this board with pics.

Testing by Bjorn Nyland (and others) has found that any electric car with good regen experiences negligle efficiency differences as weight goes up or down. Bjorn took a Soul EV and tested it both stripped down, and loaded up to its max weight capacity, and found only a tiny difference in overall efficiency.

Which makes sense. Extra weight hurts during acceleration, makes little difference while cruising, and helps during regen. Therefore reducing weight helps during acceleration and hurts during regen.

Very little net result in a car that has good regen, and is being driven in its max regen mode (while using regen as much as possible for deceleration).

Another tester put solar panels on a Leaf and filled the trunk full of batteries, adding a tonne of weight to the car, and also noticed a negligible difference in overall efficiency.

We take weight reduction being significantly more efficient as an article of faith, but it doesn't bear out in testing.