Kia e-Niro and e-Soul 2019 Review – International

The world is going electric. It’s inevitable as night follows day – at least in markets where punitive tax regimes are forcing manufacturers to offset conventional car emissions with electric vehicles or pay thousands of dollars in ‘fines’ for exceeding average emission targets.

However, consumers are voting with their pockets rather than for the planet, says Kia vice president and European design chief, Gregory Giullaume. In markets where there are financial incentives to buy electric and a prerogative for brands to sell them, electric cars are in demand; so much so they are on backorder.

Such is the case with Kia and its Niro and Soul. Initially introduced in 2016, the former compact SUV is now sold in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and the full electric e-Niro version in key European markets. The latter brand icon, the super-square Soul crossover, is only sold in an electric version in Europe, suitably called the e-Soul.

Kia Australia wants you to drive these electric SUVs and soon. The only issue is the rest of the world gets first dibs and, as explained above, that means demand is simply outstripping supply.

Initial plans to have both the Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul in Australia in time for Kia’s eponymous tennis extravaganza in January 2020 are now firmly out the window. In fact, it’ll be lucky if the cars make it to Australia in any numbers next year at all.

And that is a bloody shame. Because after a quick 200km drive on everything from city streets to unlimited autobahn, I’m comfortable saying these two Kia converts are the most convincing mass-market EVs I’m yet to drive.

The price of entry to EVs will continue to be a barrier in Australia. Kia can do little to change that and stay in business.

There are hints of some sort on new EV-friendly policies from state and federal governments, but the likelihood is that may be only a little and more than a little late.

In Europe, depending on the market, the slightly larger, more conventional Kia e-Niro is about €5000 ($A8000) more than the Kia e-Soul. Kia Australia is not talking pricing for either vehicle at this time.

Offered in both long range (64kWh battery) and standard range (39.2kWh) versions in Europe, we’d anticipate only the former will come Down Under. Given there is some modest commonality with the Hyundai Kona, therein lies the best clue for the sticker prices of the vehicles.

The Kia e-Niro is presented as a compact SUV that is a little smaller and sportier than say a Kia Sportage (although it actually rides on a longer wheelbase). In both accommodation and presentation, it is half a class bigger than the Kona EV which current sells at over $60K in Australia.

Our best guess is Kia will attempt to match the cousin Kona with the e-Niro and perhaps target the e-Soul at buyers in the low to mid-$50K range, to take on Nissan LEAF.

Expect one model grade only for each – as supply will be limited, Kia Australia will probably have to take what it gets.

Our test Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul certainly didn’t lack for much in terms of standard equipment, both amenity and infotainment wise. As EVs they’ll come almost certainly as ones with the lot.

It’s pretty easy to like both of these charged-up Kias.

In the long-range variants they feature a 150kW/395Nm electric motor that, frankly, feels stronger. Acceleration times aren’t startling at mid 7secs for 0-100km/h, but the flexibility of both the vehicles is impressive.

The e-Soul is about 100kg lighter than the e-Niro (1682kg v 1791kg), which compares to about 1530kg for a ‘standard’ Kia Sportage. They are not lightweights. Yet performance off the line is brisk and just seems to build.

Overtaking performance on the tight and twisty roads in the Taunus Mountains to the west of Frankfurt was excellent and the handling, in part aided by the lower centre of gravity this vehicles are gifted, wasn’t too shabby either.

Swapping between the two, the e-Niro seemed a little less lively and its steering was markedly heavier than the e-Soul we drove. Quick changes of direction allow you to feel the weight of both vehicles but the sensation is not negative – just something we will all no doubt need to process.

Unlike lesser versions of the Soul for other markets, the e-Soul gets a full independent rear end to match the e-Niro in general suspension specification. This may be an added benefit on our roads. The German roads we drove were, with a couple of very rare exceptions, beautifully maintained and smooth.

Coupled with the electric drivetrains of the two e-Kias, this made for very quiet and comfortable kilometres.

In fact the predominate noise, especially on the autobahn, was a mix of wind and tyre. Still, at an indicated maximum (limited) speed of 180km/h, the Kia e-Niro was quiet and comfortable enough for my drive loop partner’s snoring to be main soundtrack.

The elephant in the room with any EV discussion Down Under is range and both the Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul are no slouches in this department. As we’ve found with our long-term Hyundai Kona tester, real world ranges approaching 400km are very achievable and the twin e-Kias seem ready to repeat that feat.

The Kia e-Niro has an official WLTP combined cycle range of 455km with the Kia e-Soul just 3km less. They use 159 and 157Wh/km respectively.

There should be a photo hereabouts taken at Vmax on the autobahn that shows our Kia e-Niro with 258km range after covering a quick 171.5km. That’s a total projected range of circa 430km.

Like our Kona long-termer, it seems that the range estimation in the Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul is at the very least consistent. This can’t be said of some EVs – I’m looking at you Jaguar.

Some of the effectiveness of the Kia e-Niro and e-Soul’s powertrains can be sheeted home to the smart regenerative braking options offered. Like the Kona, you can use the ‘gearshift’ paddles to tune the amount of regenerative braking, thereby converting kinetic energy into electricity and plugging it back into the battery.

In addition to three levels of regen, there is a no-braking ‘coast’ mode (good for the freeway) and a full one-pedal mode with max regen and rarely any need to apply the brakes via the pedal.

A degree of braking can also be initiated just by holding the left-hand paddle in. The system is also smart enough to tap into the adaptive cruise control system and initiate some regenerative braking when the car ahead is slowing on a downhill section of road.

The fact these systems are easy to use means they pretty quickly become second nature.

Both the Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul can be charged using home-style AC chargers. They also offer 100kW DC fast charging for a 20-80 per cent fill in 42 minutes. In contrast, the smaller battery versions offered in some European markets with more urban orientation have 50kW DC charging only.

Aussies are still wary of how much range is enough. It’s a pretty simple sum that equates range, battery size and price. The very reason we’re paying $60K plus for Kona (and probably e-Niro when it arrives) is the size of the battery.

An average Aussie commute is still less than 20km. When or if Aussie consumers are comfortable with, say, 200-250km range, then cheaper EVs will follow.

The fit, finish and packaging of both the Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul will appeal to Aussies – of that I’m sure.

There’s a full suite of safety gear in both and a decent hi-resolution head-up display is a plus. I liked the conventional finishes in the cabins of both cars – this contrasts to the painted silver finishes that have quickly dated the Kona.

The e-Niro is a more conventional SUV cum crossover that, thanks to its lower profile and sportier proportions, will fit nicely between the likes of the Subaru XV and Focus Active and the burgeoning bunch of vehicles with which its Sportage stablemate competes.

It’s right in the sweet spot in packaging terms.

The Kia e-Soul is a little more upright but delivers great internal space for what is a relatively compact external footprint. It’s also unlike anything else out there – it’ll stand out in a good way.

But to quote that wonderful speech politic, there are too many ‘known unknowns’ to really deliver a verdict on either the Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul at this stage.

How will they perform on our local rougher roads? Probably okay.

What battery sizes will Kia opt for? Read above.

What specification will Kia Australia choose; and most importantly how affordable will they be?

What I can say is that both these cars make a very solid case for moving electric vehicles out of the curiosity shop and into the mainstream.

If or when they come to a Kia dealership Down Under, they will be worth a look…

How much does the 2019 Kia e-Niro cost?
Price: estimated $60,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: Permanent magnetic AC synchronous motor, 64kWh battery
Output: 150kW/395Nm
Transmission: Single-speed, reduction gear
Range: 455km (WLTP Combined)
Consumption: 159Wh/km
Safety Rating: TBA