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Hyundai IONIQ Electric vs Kia Soul EV (2014-2019)
Selected trimPremium 38kWh · 2019-22193 mi · 38.3 kWh · £30,550
Selected trim27kWh · 2014-19Not available · 30 kWh · £29,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai IONIQ Electric leads on motorway range, family practicality and running costs, while the Kia Soul EV leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai IONIQ Electric if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Kia Soul EV (2014-2019) if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai IONIQ Electric leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Hyundai
4.9
Kia
4.7
Too close to call
Motorway RangeHyundai
Hyundai
3.6
Kia
0
FamilyHyundai
Hyundai
7
Kia
4.2
Cost Per MileHyundai
Hyundai
9.5
Kia
0
City DrivingKia
Hyundai
6.6
Kia
7.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Premium 38kWh
- 76 litres more boot space
- 1.5s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1 more year of battery warranty
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 38kWh | Kia Soul EV27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £30,550 | £29,995 (better) |
| Official range | 193 miles | Not available |
| Boot space | 357 L (better) | 281 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 57 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 9.7 sec (better) | 11.2 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
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Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Kia Soul EV
Length
Hyundai IONIQ Electric4,470mm
Kia Soul EV4,140mm-330mm
Width
Hyundai IONIQ Electric1,820mm
Kia Soul EV1,800mm-20mm
Height
Hyundai IONIQ Electric1,450mm-143mm
Kia Soul EV1,593mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 38kWh | Kia Soul EV27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,470 mm | 4,140 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,820 mm | 1,800 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,065 mm | 2,040 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,593 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 580 mm spare | 600 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 38kWh | Kia Soul EV27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 357 L (better) | 281 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1417 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
- At 4,470 mm, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 2,700 mm wheelbase, longer than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
Kia Soul EV
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 38kWh |  Kia Soul EV 27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.14m-330mm |
| Width | 1.82m | 1.80m-20mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | 2.04m-25mm |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.59m+143mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.57m-130mm |
| Ground Clearance | 140mm | 158mm+18mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 357L (better) | 281L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1417L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,527kg (better) | 1,580kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 38.3kWh (better) | 30kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi | Not available |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £30,550 | £29,995 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2019–2022 | 2014–2019 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 38kWh | Kia Soul EV27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles | Not available |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 161 miles | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 57 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW (better) | 6.6 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 35.8 kWh (better) | 27 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 38kWh | Kia Soul EV27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9.7 sec (better) | 11.2 sec |
| Power | 100 kW (better) | 81 kW |
| Torque | 295 Nm (better) | 285 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Premium 38kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Kia Soul EV
27kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 38kWh | Kia Soul EV27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £9,937 | £5,995 |
| Average used price | £11,500 | £7,395 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 6 listings | 11 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 17.9% over ~6 months | Up 7.3% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 38kWh
Tested 2016
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist86%
Euro NCAP - Kia Soul EV 27kWh
Tested 2014
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Hyundai IONIQ ElectricPremium 38kWh | Kia Soul EV27kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years (better) | 7 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 201,168 km (better) | 150,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Premium 38kWh
Owners love
- Still one of the most efficient EVs: owners report about 4.8-5.2 miles per kWh, even in poor weather.
- Owners report 180-210 miles in warmer months, and well over 140 miles in winter.
- The 2019 update brought a bigger battery, a faster 7.2 kW home charger and a smarter cabin.
Watch out for
- A battery recall covers cars built from 2018 to 2022, and owners report long waits for it to be done.
- Rapid charging is slower than on the 28 kWh car, at well under 50 kW.
- Some owners report 12V battery faults and software bugs that clear the off-peak charging settings.
Owner tips
- Check the battery recalls are done; Hyundai advises parking outside or in a well-ventilated space until they are.
- Check that the charging timer keeps its settings after a few days.
Kia Soul EV
27kWh
Owners love
- Owners find it easy, smooth and quiet to drive, with a roomy, high-roofed cabin for its size.
- Running costs are very low with home charging.
- Well-equipped for its age, with good visibility and comfortable seats.
Watch out for
- Many owners report the air-cooled battery losing noticeable capacity with age: older cars manage about 60-90 miles of real range, less in winter.
- Range falls sharply in cold weather and at motorway speeds because of the boxy shape.
- Several owners report flat 12V batteries and on-board charger failures.
Owner tips
- Ask for a dealer battery health (state of health) test and the result in writing before buying.
- Check how much of the 7-year battery warranty is left and when the car was first registered.
Buying options
Get a quote
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia Soul EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
- £9,8502020Anchor CarsView
- £11,9952022Cleevely EVView
Kia Soul EV
- £13,2952017EVHEROView
- £7,3952018Drive GreenView
- £5,9952017Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric or the Kia Soul EV?
The two are within 20 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Kia Soul EV and about 580 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric or the Kia Soul EV?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and 84% for the Kia Soul EV. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. The Hyundai IONIQ Electric has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia Soul EV.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Hyundai IONIQ Electric comparisons
More Kia Soul EV comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Kia Soul EV rank among the best family EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Kia Soul EV rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Kia Soul EV rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Kia Soul EV rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Kia Soul EV rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Hyundai IONIQ Electric and Kia Soul EV rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2016-2022): 28 vs 38 kWh, Battery Recalls & What to Pay
A used Hyundai IONIQ Electric buyer’s guide: the 28 kWh car vs the 2019 38.3 kWh update, the battery recalls, the 8-year battery warranty, write-offs, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Kia Soul EV (2014-2024): 27 vs 64 kWh, Battery Health, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Kia Soul EV buyer’s guide: the 2014-2019 car vs the 64 kWh e-Soul, battery wear on early cars, the 7-year warranty, the recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .