[Expatman]

Spoke to dealer about buying a Soul today, he told me it has been discontinued, new model sometime in mid 2023!
Anyone know anything about this?

 

[Expatman]

Looking at various car magazine websites it seems they believe the Soul is being updated with minor external updates in line with the US version and will get the latest battery/motor from the new ENiro. Makes sense to have only one body style and a single battery/motor combo for both Soul & Niro. No idea of launch date though.

 

[mr.macspot]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
Interesting news for members who may have had the Soul on their wish list, I note Kia have removed the Soul from their UK web site.

 

[Expatman]

The Soul was still on their website at 9:30AM today! (6th July).

 

[nicq]

Yes and they must be clearing out for new model as only available in White.

 

[mr.macspot]

The Soul was still on their website at 9:30AM today! (6th July).

I stand corrected. It didn't appear last night, but I used a different browser this morning and it is still there. Apologies.

 

[Expatman]

The real question for me is when will the "new" Soul be available? If it is a minor update as defined in AutoExpress then maybe late this year, I can't think they would want to have it off sale for too long.

 

[nicq]

They already have it in the states so I would not think it will be that long. From what I've seen it's mainly cosmetic to the front. I would think it will be same upgrade as eniro updates 3 phase charge etc

 

[Drwho2]

The real question for me is when will the "new" Soul be available? If it is a minor update as defined in AutoExpress then maybe late this year, I can't think they would want to have it off sale for too long.

Year	sold
2009	31,621
2010	67,110
2011	102,267
2012	126,654
2013	118,079
2014	145,316
2015	147,133
2016	154,768
2017	115,712
2018	104,709
2019	97,814
2020	71,772
2021	75,126
2022	27,608

I wouldn't hold your breath. USA sales, of all the soul variants, have been falling steadily over the past 6yrs and it's been officially confirmed the EV will not be available over there.

 

[nicq]

Kia America announces 2023 Soul pricing

2023 Kia Soul starts at $19,790 (excludes destination) Notable design enhancements to front and rear fascias set 2023 Soul apart Simplified lineup includes well-equipped LX, S, EX, GT-Line...

www.autofutures.tv

 

[Expatman]

Soul is ICE only in USA so doesn't stand out from the crowd there. Here with its 280 mile range it is one of very few small EV's with good range, also being Suv'ish driving height it suits many people - me included - whose backs don't get on with lower riding cars.

 

[Expatman]

Just heard back from Kia(UK) who confirmed there is going to be a new release of the Soul EV in UK. Wouldn't say when but said dealers will advise date as soon as date released.

 

[Sad555]

What we are missing -

 

[Expatman]

Only difference seems to be that the black plastic “SUV” trim has been removed from the USA version. Personally I liked it with the plastic trim for both appearance and the added protection it provides for minor scrapes and dings. Hopefully Kia will recognise that in the UK the plastic trim is a sales advantage, otherwise the Soul loses Its Soul!!!

 

[Sad555]

I live in hope unless we get the Seltos here

 

[Expatman]

Don't think the Seltos was sold in UK

 

[mr.macspot]

Don't think the Seltos was sold in UK

It isn't that why @Sad555 "unless we get the Seltos here"

 

[Expatman]

I will be happy to see the Soul EV return with the drivetrain updated to that in the new Niro and perhaps a brighter internal finish. Externally it doesn't need any major changes at all - l like its somewhat different style probably because it is somewhat similar in shape/size to my current Skoda Yeti. Anyway there is not much we can but wait to see what Kia come up with. One thing you can be certain of is that the price will rise!

 

[nicq]

I will be happy to see the Soul EV return with the drivetrain updated to that in the new Niro and perhaps a brighter internal finish. Externally it doesn't need any major changes at all - l like its somewhat different style probably because it is somewhat similar in shape/size to my current Skoda Yeti. Anyway there is not much we can but wait to see what Kia come up with. One thing you can be certain of is that the price will rise!

I am sure that the major change will be with the charging like the Nero, 3phase charge.

 

[Chrispy1]

It was a sad day when they only made the EV version. I loved my 2