Automotive progress from one model generation to next comes in small increments. When was the last time a mainstream car's replacement brought almost 40 percent more torque, almost 85 percent more power, and a whole new level of range? It doesn't happen. Unless you are talking about the adorable Kia Soul EV, one of the most popular electric cars on the market.

The Kia Soul has always been a quirky, wagonish crossover with a lot of character; it's impossible to mistake it for any other vehicle. And that is still very much the case with the third-generation Soul, which provides the basis for this new EV variant. Every Soul has become slightly bigger, and the moderately revised appearance is thoroughly uncluttered, carrying the emblematic Soul design into the next decade. The modernized appearance is underscored by the EV's thin, futuristic headlights and a C-pillar featuring a shark-fin motif.

View Photos Kia

The EV version, which we took for an extended drive on its Korean home turf, is more differentiated from the gasoline-powered version than before, set apart visually from the regular Soul by a painted plastic insert instead of a front grille, its own lower set of LED lighting units, and restyled fascias at both ends. As before, the EV sports distinct aero-style wheels, now 17 inches in diameter, up one inch from 2019.

Compared to the ultraclean exterior, the interior falls somewhat flat. We would like to see some of the funkiness of the exterior, or at least of the first-gen Soul, which had a quirky yet ergonomic dashboard that set it apart from most other cars. We find this interior to be a bit too conventional, but there are interesting color and lighting effects and an EV-specific, futuristic shift-by-wire knob to select Drive, Reverse, or Neutral positions.

The EV gets its own version of Kia's Uvo infotainment system and a 10.3-inch touchscreen. It combines a plethora of important functions and information pertaining to the charging and battery status, charging station updates, scheduled charging functions, and the ability to plan a trip outside the car and send the information, including waypoints, to the car's navigation system.

Tire-Squealing Performance

When it's time to get behind the wheel and go, this second-gen Soul EV really shines. It is powered by a front-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous AC electric motor that sends a whopping 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. It does so with such urgency that it takes real practice not to squeal the tires every time you accelerate out of a corner or drive away from a stop sign. The remarkable torque is available from a standstill, and it doesn't let off up to 3600 rpm; maximum power is delivered between 3800 and 8000 rpm. This is the same drivetrain that propels both Kia's own, more conventionally styled Niro EV and the Hyundai Kona EV.

The instant torque and the single-speed direct-drive transmission turn the Soul EV into an absolute stormer on twisty two-lane roads, where passing maneuvers need zero preparation. When a gap opens, you simply go. The sensation is strong enough to convert many a skeptic to the virtues of electric mobility. Even with the interior feeling eerily quiet and well isolated, we expect the sprint to 60 mph to happen in 7.0 seconds. That's a big improvement over the 9.7 seconds the previous model recorded in our tests. The Soul EV hits the speed governor quite noticeably. It feels as if it wants to keep going, but in the interest of range, it makes sense to stop the rush right there.

View Photos Kia

What might keep you from pushing too hard is the suspension, which emphasizes comfort over agility while expanding the car's overall abilities with its newly independent multilink rear suspension replacing the former beam axle. At an estimated 3750 pounds, the Soul EV is a heavy little car, and it's taller than, say, a Volkswagen e-Golf EV. When pushed really hard, the Kia tends to roll noticeably. There is some understeer at the limit, and you learn not to take things too far. The steering doesn't provide a ton of feedback. But you also learn to play with the regenerative brake system, which ranges from virtually endless coasting when turned off entirely to sharp deceleration in the most aggressive mode, which allows for the one-pedal driving ability desired by many EV enthusiasts.

More Than Double the Range

This new Soul EV goes a long way to please EV enthusiasts—quite literally. It is rated at 243 miles of range in the official EPA cycle, but we found it was not difficult to better that estimate. That's a huge improvement over the 2019 Soul EV, with its mere 109 horsepower and 111 miles of EPA-estimated range. The new model's 64.0-kWh battery pack with DC fast-charge capability has enough reserve for any around- and near-town tasks, and we can imagine doing some long-distance travel along routes where the charging infrastructure allows.

Practicality is another strong suit of the new Soul EV. Its spacious interior has comfortable room for four adults, and the variable trunk is big enough to hold luggage and groceries for most trips. And those bulky charging cables, of course.

View Photos Kia

The new Kia Soul EV specifically targets the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Not only has the Kia entirely caught up with the specs of GM's offering, it also exceeds them in elements such as build quality. Like its Niro stablemate, however, the Soul EV will be offered only in the 13 states where California emissions standards apply, while the Bolt EV is available nationwide. In those markets, however, it's good enough to serve as an alternative for those who can't be bothered to wait for the entry-level versions of the Tesla Models 3 and Y.

Pricing is still undisclosed, but we expect it to be priced slightly higher than the previous model, which started at $33,145, with the EV+ model at $36,800. There will be two trim levels, as before, but the upscale one drops the previous EV+ badge for a new Designer Collection designation. We expect to see the Soul EV on the market before the end of the year.

Specifications Specifications 2020 Kia Soul EV VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback ESTIMATED BASE PRICE

$37,500 MOTOR TYPE

permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 201 hp, 291 lb-ft; 64-kWh lithium ion battery pack TRANSMISSION

1-speed direct drive DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 102.4 in

Length: 165.2 in

Width: 70.9 in

Height: 63.0 in

Passenger volume: 98 cu ft

Curb weight (C/D est): 3750 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)

Zero to 60 mph: 7.0 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 18.2 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 15.6 sec

Top speed: 105 mph EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)

Combined/city/highway: 114/127/101 MPGe

EV range: 243 miles Expand Collapse

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