Today we’ve heard reports that the Kia Soul EV will not be launched in the US market after all.
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The new Soul EV has been shown at US auto shows for the past two years, was present at the national media introduction in early 2019, and was featured on the Kia website under the “Upcoming Vehicles” section. At first, it was set to launch a few months after the gas-powered 2020 Kia Soul. Then, Kia announced a delay of the EV version until the 2021 model year, citing a battery shortage and a decision to prioritize the Niro EV first and the Soul EV second. Now, it appears to have been cancelled for the US market altogether.
As of today, the Kia website no longer lists the 2021 Soul EV under “Upcoming Vehicles,” although Kia reps have not yet officially announced the cancellation.
Kia has committed to bring more electric vehicles to market, and we’ve seen spy shots of an upcoming electric crossover testing alongside a Tesla Model 3.
Perhaps Kia wants to focus all attention on this future EV, especially since the buzz around the new Soul has died down now and the launch of the Soul EV may be anticlimactic.
We’ve also heard that the Soul EV is much more expensive to build than the normal gas-powered Soul, which would reduce profit margins and market appeal for the vehicle.
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In other world markets such as the UK, Kia ONLY offers the Soul in its EV form with 243 mile range, but it seems like the current-generation Soul EV will not see American shores after all. If you want a Kia electric crossover for now, you will unfortunately have to opt for the Niro EV, which is a more traditional style versus the unique looks of the Soul.
However, the Soul EV will live on in other markets around the world.
Sources: CNET
