Auto Zeitung ranks Kia’s Soul EV most competitive

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Auto Zeitung ranks Kia’s Soul EV most competitive

Kia Motors said Sunday that its electric version of the Soul boxcar has been picked as the most competitive compact-size electric vehicle (EV) by German automobile magazine Auto Zeitung.

The publication rated the Soul EV above BMW’s i3s and Nissan’s Leaf e+ to name it as “the most modern and perfect EV.”

The three models were evaluated on their bodies, driving comfort, driving dynamics, powertrain and environment costs. The Soul earned a final score of 2,989 points out of 5,000, in comparison to the 2,894 points scored by BMW i3s or 2,870 points by Nissan Leaf e+.

While the Soul was highly regarded for its exterior and interior designs, Kia Motors said the EV was behind the others in noise level, multimedia system, insurance rate and electricity consumption efficiency.

Auto Zeitung is one of the three major automotive publications in Germany that provides reviews and ratings for cars sold in Europe.

Kia Motors said it believes the high regards for the Soul EV will help the automaker further boost its sales in the continent. The second largest automaker in Korea by sales sold around 270,000 vehicles in Europe during the first half of this year, up 1 percent from 268,000 units in the same period last year.

Sales of its EVs reached 53,369 units from January to July this year, up 172 percent from the same period last year.

The Soul EV, which launched in Europe in 2014, sold 4,229 units last year, up from 3,286 units in 2016 and 3,405 unit in 2017. Kia Motors added a total of 8,012 units of Soul EVs have been sold in Europe between January and July this year.

“The fact that the Soul EV surpassed well-known competitor models in Germany to be recognized for excellent marketability means our EV technology is at the top level,” a Kia Motors spokesperson said.

“We will continue to make more high-value environment-friendly vehicles to create a sustainable future.”

BY KO JUN-TAE [ko.juntae@joongang.co.kr]
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