Some 15 years after the Kia Soul first breezed into the EV scene, can the third generation keep up the pace? By Al Suttie.

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Kia Soul EV Explore 64kWh

List price (BiK): £38,295 (2%) CO2: 0g/km Economy: 280 miles Test efficiency: 220 miles

Monday

Kia has been quietly and, no pun intended, efficiently expanding its electric car range, but it all started with the Soul EV. Now in its latest form it has whirred into my hands for a week. The car outside is a Soul EV Explore with the 64kWh battery, which is the larger of the two on offer and has a claimed range of 280 miles – that’s about the minimum that works practically in the real world in my experience.

Tuesday

I know there are some who think the Soul is just a box on wheels, but I really like the way it looks. Its sharp corners and high roof make the most of the interior space without resorting to being another SUV wannabee. Sit inside the Soul and this approach to design immediately shows its advantages with the amount of space there is for passengers, notably in the rear seats where my kids jump in with ease.

Wednesday

I may have mentioned it once or twice in the past, but one of my pet hates is electric cars that don’t provide somewhere to stash charging cables out of the way. The Soul gets a thumbs up from me for the space under the boot floor where all the cables can be stored, though it would be even better if the space was fully lined and not just with a polystyrene insert.

Thursday

With the range on the Soul’s dash showing 96 miles, or just over half, after a trip into Edinburgh yesterday, it’s time to charge up. No dramas here at a local rapid charger and the Kia is quickly back up to full zap and showing 220 miles to empty. On the way home, it’s an excuse to try out the Soul’s turn of speed, which is not as quick as some EVs, yet still more than enough for a family car, with a claimed 0-62mph of 7.9 seconds.

Friday

A day of pottering for various local errands on back routes and bendy A-roads shows up a minor chink in the Soul’s otherwise impressive drive. Simply, the body leans a little too much in bends even when I’m not making especially quick progress. It’s partly to do with the tall-sided styling and softly set suspension, which I can forgive, but the ride is also a shade on the fidgety side over the standard mix of ripples and gouges in the road’s surface.

Saturday

Another day of using the Kia for nothing more than workaday duties. I seem to have spent a lot of time in the car today, yet it’s all gone very comfortably thanks to the excellent driving position and view out from the driver’s pew. Kia has got all of the basics right here, while the raised centre console and easy-to-use infotainment all add to the straightforward appeal of this car’s cabin.

Sunday

The Kia Soul in 64kWh and in Explore trim, as tested here, is not the cheapest EV you can lay your hands on. An MG ZS EV makes a stronger case as a fleet choice, but the Kia does come with plenty of pizzazz and practicality. The decent driving range also gives it greater appeal, and that would encourage me to spend the extra on this version, rather than the cheaper but shorter-range Urban model.