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New Models

2019 Kia Soul to debut in LA – report

All-new boxy crossover less than a month away from reveal, with only the electric version rumoured to be available outside of the US.


The next-generation Kia Soul is reportedly scheduled for a global reveal at next month's Los Angeles motor show, including the all-electric Soul EV, which could be the only version of the boxy crossover bound for markets outside of the US and Korea.

A new article by The Korean Car Blog claims Kia is prepping the new Soul for a second-quarter launch in North America following its LA reveal, with both petrol and electric versions bound for the States.

However, the report suggests in markets like Europe only the Soul EV will be offered in its next generation, due to slow sales of the current combustion-powered version.

It's expected the new electric Soul will feature the same powertrain as the e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric, offered in two tunes and with two battery sizes.

The entry-level version features an 88kW/295Nm electric motor hooked up to a 39.2kWh battery offering around 240km of range per charge, while the high-spec 150kW/395Nm variant gets a larger 64kWh battery for a claimed range of around 480km.

Recent spy images indicate the long-range variant could even be capable of 500km per charge, after a development vehicle was spied with 437km of range indicated on its interior display with the battery level sitting at 92 per cent.

In addition to the new electric powertrain, the Soul will offer the latest in driver assistance and infotainment systems from the Korean manufacturer, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop/go functionality, active lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for our coverage of the Los Angeles motor show next month.


Australia

While a slow seller Down Under in its current form, it's likely Kia's local division will bring the new-gen Soul just in EV guise as also predicted for the European market, given its commitment to two all-electric models by 2021 in Australia.

The other is almost certainly the e-Niro with the same powertrain, which could arrive in local showrooms before the end of next year.

e-Niro or Soul EV? Which would you choose?

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