# Kia Soul — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Kia Soul on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/kia-soul

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2020
- **Ideal trim**: EV Maxx
- **Target mileage**: 30,000
–50,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £15,000

## Why this model

The Kia Soul EV is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a quirky, practical, and reliable electric car. It offers a decent real-world range for most daily driving and even longer trips, especially with the larger 64kWh battery. Kia's reputation for reliability and its excellent 7-year warranty (which is transferable to subsequent owners) makes it a very sensible used EV purchase. It stands out from the crowd with its unique styling, and it's surprisingly spacious inside for its footprint.

## What you should pay

The used EV market has seen significant price adjustments recently, making cars like the Soul EV much more affordable than they once were. The 
£15,000 target price for a 2020 model with 30-50k miles represents excellent value. Always check the battery health (SoH - State of Health) if possible, though Kia's liquid-cooled battery system is robust and degradation is typically low (~1.8% per year). The 64kWh battery should still offer around 58kWh usable capacity at 5 years old, which is very good.

## Which trim to buy

The 'EV Maxx' trim (or 'First Edition' in earlier models, which is similar) is often the sweet spot. It comes packed with features like a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and advanced driver-assistance systems, without pushing the price too high. You get a lot of car for your money, making it feel more premium than its price tag suggests, and it's much better equipped than the entry-level 'EV' trim.

## What to check before you buy

- Slower DC rapid charging speeds compared to newer EVs (max 77kW)
- Some owners report minor 12V battery issues (common in many EVs)
- Infotainment glitches (less common, often fixed with software updates)
- Always check battery health (SoH) if possible, though Kia's liquid-cooled system is robust.

## Running costs

Running a Soul EV is very cheap, especially if you can charge at home on an off-peak smart tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus. This brings your 'fuel' cost down to around 2.6p/mile, or about 
£264 a year for 10,000 miles. On a standard home rate (24.5p/kWh), it's still only about 7.2p/mile (
£719/yr). Charging at public rapid chargers (70-85p/kWh) costs significantly more, around 20.6
–25p/mile, so avoid relying on these for daily use. Road tax is free until April 2025, after which it will be 
£195 per year. Insurance costs are generally moderate for the Soul EV, comparable to other family hatchbacks.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Electric
- **Horsepower**: 201 hp
- **Mpg**: N/A (Equivalent: ~130 MPGe)
- **Reliability Score**: Excellent
- **Safety Rating**: 4/5 Stars (Euro NCAP 2019)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| EV | £34,995 | £13,500 | 17-inch alloy wheels; 7-inch touchscreen; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
| EV Maxx | £37,495 | £15,000 | 17-inch alloy wheels; 10.25-inch touchscreen with sat-nav; Heated front seats |
| EV Explore | £39,995 | £16,500 | 17-inch alloy wheels; 10.25-inch touchscreen with sat-nav; Heated front and rear seats |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £15,000 | 100% |
| 2027 | £13,200 | 88% |
| 2028 | £11,880 | 79.2% |
| 2029 | £10,692 | 71.28% |
| 2030 | £9,623 | 64.15% |

Buying a Kia Soul EV at 3-4 years old is a smart move because the steepest part of its depreciation curve has already passed. EVs, in general, have seen significant value adjustments, and the Soul EV is no exception. This means you're getting a well-equipped, long-range EV at a much more accessible price point, and its value should stabilise more over the next few years compared to buying new.

Total value lost since new: 35.85%.

## Alternatives to consider

- Nissan Leaf (40kWh/62kWh)
- MG4 EV
- Hyundai Kona Electric

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.