UK order books are now open for the third-generation Kia Soul, which is only being offered in electric vehicle guise in Europe.

Kia Soul EV

Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this spring, the Soul EV arrives in the UK with a long-range 64kWh lithium-ion battery, which is paired with a 204hp electric motor, enabling the Soul EV to travel up to a claimed 280 miles (452km) on a single charge on the WLTP cycle, while giving a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. It’s priced at £37,295, or £33,795 taking into account the Plug-in Car Grant. A 39kWh battery model is available in other markets but, as with the e-Niro, will not come to the UK.

And although petrol models are available in other markets, Kia will not be importing them for Europe as it focuses instead on pure electric demand. The carmaker said: “Kia is already known for being a market leader in affordable, long-range electric vehicles thanks to the launch of the e-Niro and previous generation Soul EV, and this approach allows Kia to build upon its ‘Go Electric’ focus.”

The Soul EV is equipped to enable CCS Combo charging, achieving up to an 80% charge in one hour and 15 minutes with a 50kW DC rapid charger. A three-pin cable and Type 2 connection will be provided with the car.

Just one trim – ‘First Edition’ – is being offered, bringing features including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard along with 17-inch alloys, black leather upholstery, start/stop button, climate control and Adaptive Smart Control Function (SCC). Standard tech includes reversing camera, seven-inch colour cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen sat nav system with European mapping and Traffic Messaging Control (TMC) plus Uvo Connect telematics. First Edition also comes with head-up display, wireless smartphone charger and a 10-speaker, 640-watt premium Harmon/Kardon sound system.

Driver assistance features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist System, Lane Follow Assist, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Detection with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert and Hill-Start Assist Control. The Soul EV also gets Kia’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

First deliveries are due to start during Q1 2020.