Actually, the first decision to make here is whether should you
consider a 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV or wait for the 2020 model. That’s
because the 2020 version, which is expected to arrive in dealerships
soon, will have a longer operating range of 259 miles on a charge, which
is up from the current 238 miles. Chevrolet says improvements made to
the battery pack’s cell electrode energy enabled engineers to bump up
the car’s range without having to change the physical battery pack.
The 2020 Bolt EV otherwise carries over and will continue to be sold
nationwide. The sticker price remains unchanged at $37,495, which
includes the destination charge. If the added range isn't a dealmaker,
the 2019 models are currently being offered with a $6,500 cash rebate.
On the down side, the one-time federal tax credit granted to Bolt EV
buyers drops to $1,850 on October 1 and will be eliminated on March 31,
2020 (unless Congress extends the full credits in the meantime, as has
been proposed).
The redesigned Soul EV won’t launch in the U.S.
until early 2020, but the Environmental Protection Agency has already
posted details on its estimated operating range. The car gets a
significant increase to 243 miles on a charge (it was previously at 111
miles). Pricing has not yet been announced for the 2020 Soul EV, but we
expect it will be competitive with the Bolt. Though the previous
generation was only sold in California and Oregon, Kia says the 2020
model’s availability will be expanded to the fourteen U.S. states that
have adopted California’s zero-emission regulations.
Styling
The Bolt EV continues with its rounded hatchback
styling with short front and rear overhangs. A stubby front end features
blacked-out faux grille elements and large headlamps with LED running
lights. The roofline is sharply tapered and there are crisp creases
alongside the vehicle. The rear end features LED taillights and an
integrated lip spoiler. The interior is futuristically styled with a
“floating” dashboard, electronic instrumentation, and a large
touchscreen. The Bolt is available in LT and Premier trim levels.
Like
the rest of the Soul lineup for 2020, the EV receives a freshened
appearance inside and out. The car retains its trademark boxy profile,
but features a more aggressive look, especially at the front end, with
slim LED headlamps and a solid front grille insert. There’s muscular
wheel arches at all four corners, deep angular creases along the sides,
and LED taillights at the rear. The interior is updated with a
wide-screen display for the car’s infotainment system, and larger
buttons and dials for the climate control system, among other changes.
It will be offered in base and Designer Collection versions.
Powertrains
The
Chevrolet Bolt EV packs a 66 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric
motor that generates 200 horsepower with 266 pound-feet of torque. It
can reach 60 mph from a standing start in 6.5 seconds. A selectable mode
amps up the car’s regenerative braking to enable “one pedal” driving.
When depleted, the battery can reach a full charge in around 10 hours
using 240-volt Level 2 charging. Connected to a DC Fast Charging
station, it can take on up to 90 miles of range in 30 minutes. These
specs do not change from the 2019 to 2020 models.
The 2020 Kia
Soul EV runs on a 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and its electric motor
generates 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. Kia says that’s
good for a 7.6-second 0-60 mph time. Owners can select from four driving
modes and four levels of regenerative braking, with the ability to
bring the car to a full stop via steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Charging time is estimated at about 9 hours 35 minutes with a Level 2
line. It can reach 80 percent of its capacity in around 75 minutes via
DC Fast Charging.
Dimensions
Both the Bolt EV and the Soul EV are comparably sized. The Bolt
measures 164 inches long, 69.5 inches tall, and 62.8 inches wide and
rides on a 102.4-inch wheelbase. The Soul EV stands at 165.2 inches
long, 70.9 inches wide, and 63.0 inches tall, with a 102.4-inch
wheelbase.
The Bolt offers 39.7 inches of headroom up front and
37.9 inches in the rear. Legroom is at 41.6/36.5 inches front/rear.
There is 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and 56.6
cubic feet with the seatbacks folded flat.
Given its horizontal
roofline, the Kia affords a bit more rear-seat headroom than the Chevy.
The Soul EV’s cabin affords 39.9 inches of headroom up front and 39.5
inches in the rear. Passengers get 41.1/36.0 inches of legroom
front/rear. Final cargo specs haven’t yet been announced, but in the
gas-fueled Soul they’re at 18.8 cubic feet behind the seats and 49.9
cubic feet with the seatbacks deployed.
Available Features
Both models can be well equipped, with many features optional on base
models and included with the top trim levels. The Bolt offers amenities
like heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless
mobile phone charging and a premium Bose audio system. Keyless
entry/start, a remote starter, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot are
standard. Available driver assist systems include lane-departure,
blind-spot, and rear cross-traffic warnings, rear park assist, a
lane-keeping system, low-speed auto-braking with pedestrian detection, a
surround-view camera, and auto high-beam headlamps. They’re included
with the Premier version.
The Soul EV gets an edge here, by making
several advanced safety features standard, including forward
auto-braking, adaptive stop and go cruise control, a lane-departure
warning, and a lane-keeping system. Also available is a reverse parking
warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Keyless
entry/start and navigation come standard. The top model includes heated
power folding outside mirrors, a premium Harmon Kardon sound system, a
wireless phone charger, a power driver’s seat and heated front seats.
The Bottom Line
The
choice between the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Kia Soul EV is a tough
one. Both offer comparable operating ranges and performance. While the
Kia has yet to be priced as of this writing, we expect it would come
close to the Chevy’s suggested retail. Styling is quirky with either
model, and it depends on which look you prefer.
The Soul EV has
the advantage of offering several important driver assist features as
standard equipment, including forward auto-braking. Such systems are
optional on the base Bolt EV and are included with the top Premier trim
level. Again, pricing has yet to be announced for the Soul EV, and it
could well wind up being priced higher to accommodate the added
features.
Either of two aspects may ultimately tip the sales,
however. For one, the Kia Soul EV will be eligible for the full $7,500
federal tax credit, while the Chevrolet Bolt EV’s credit is at $1,850 as
of October 1 and will be eliminated next spring. One critical hurdle
that would prove to be insurmountable for some electric-car shoppers is
that sales of the 2020 Soul EV will be limited to 14 states, while the
Bolt will continue to be available nationwide.
