Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Kia Soul EV (2014-2018) running costs

Company-car drivers do best, but everyone will save a packet at the pumps with the Soul EV

Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Insurance groupWarrantyService intervals2018/19 company car cost (20%/40%)
18A84 months / unlimited miles12 months / 10,000 miles£791.44 / £1,582.88

Current low build volumes mean electric vehicles are more expensive than their internal-combustion-engined counterparts. In the case of the £30,495 Kia Soul, you’ll pay a cool £8,000 more than for the luxuriously equipped Soul 3 diesel – and over £12,000 more than for the entry-level Soul 1. Fortunately, the Government’s plug-in car grant redresses the balance to the tune of £3,500, but going electric is still an expensive option.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Hyundai Kona Electric with its 194-mile range undercuts the Soul EV by a few hundred pounds, but isn’t so well equipped. You’ll need to find an extra £3,000 or so for the upgraded 312-mile range Kona, too, which could rule it out for some.

While everyone can benefit from the savings at the fuel pump, it’s company car drivers who’ll reap the biggest dividends of Soul EV ‘ownership’. Thanks to zero-rated tailpipe emissions, company drivers will pay just 13% in Benefit-in-Kind, and of course they won’t be exposed to the predicted high level of depreciation, either.

Kia Soul EV insurance group

The Kia Soul EV falls into insurance group 18, so shouldn’t be overly expensive to cover. The Nissan Leaf is group 21.

Warranty

The full seven-year/100,000-mile warranty across the Kia range also applies to the Soul EV and its battery.

Servicing

With fewer moving parts than an internal-combustion-engined car, the cost of servicing your Soul EV should be competitive. Kia recommends a schedule of 10,000 miles or 12 months for servicing, whichever comes first.

Road tax

The Soul EV is also zero-rated for road tax and driving one will exempt you from the London Congestion Charge, too.

Depreciation

When it comes to depreciation, the Soul EV doesn’t perform terribly well, but then neither do other models in the Soul range. We reckon you’ll be looking at a resale value of around 40% of your purchase price after three years and 36 months. That’s not great, but the Nissan Leaf is likely to be worth between 35-40%.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,
New Nissan Future models - Picture 1
News

Nissan’s masterplan: 6 new cars by 2026, including next-gen Micra, Leaf successor and revamped Juke,

Nissan has set itself a target of introducing 30 new models globally over within the next two years
25 Mar 2024
New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV
New Genesis Neolun concept - picture 1
News

New Genesis Neolun concept paves the way for the GV90 SUV

With a host of new technology, the Neolun is the brands first step towards a full-size electric SUV.
27 Mar 2024
Rolls-Royce Spectre review: almost the last word in fully-electric luxury
Rolls-Royce Spectre - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Rolls-Royce Spectre review: almost the last word in fully-electric luxury

The Spectre is Rolls-Royce’s admirable first step into the world of electric cars, but it’s not quite perfect
26 Mar 2024