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Kia Soul EV (2014-2019) vs VW e-Golf
Selected trim27kWh · 2014-19Not available · 30 kWh · £29,995
Selected trim24kWh · 2014-17Change trim118 mi · 24.2 kWh · £30,845
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia Soul EV leads on city driving, while the VW e-Golf leads on family practicality, charging speed and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia Soul EV (2014-2019) if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the VW e-Golf if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW e-Golf leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Kia
4.7
VW
4.4
Too close to call
FamilyVW
Kia
4.2
VW
6.7
ChargingVW
Kia
0.2
VW
3.4
Cost Per MileVW
Kia
0
VW
5.8
City DrivingKia
Kia
7.9
VW
7.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Kia Soul EV27kWh | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £29,995 (better) | £30,845 |
| Official range | Not available | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 281 L | 341 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 22 min |
| 0-62 mph | 11.2 sec | 10.4 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Kia Soul EV
VW e-Golf
Length
Kia Soul EV4,140mm-130mm
VW e-Golf4,270mm
Width
Kia Soul EV1,800mm
VW e-Golf1,799mm-1mm
Height
Kia Soul EV1,593mm
VW e-Golf1,482mm-111mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia Soul EV27kWh | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,140 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,800 mm | 1,799 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,040 mm | 2,027 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,593 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 600 mm spare | 601 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Kia Soul EV27kWh | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 281 L | 341 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1231 L |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia Soul EV 27kWh |  VW e-Golf 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.14m | 4.27m+130mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.80m-1mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.04m | 2.03m-13mm |
| Height | 1.59m | 1.48m-111mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.63m+61mm |
| Ground Clearance | 158mm | 127mm-31mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 281L | 341L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1231L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,580kg (better) | 1,585kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh (better) | 24.2kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | Not available | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £29,995 (better) | £30,845 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2014–2019 | 2014–2017 |
* VW e-Golf: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia Soul EV27kWh | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | Not available | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | Not available | 71 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 22 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 6.6 kW (better) | 3.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 27 kWh (better) | 20.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Kia Soul EV27kWh | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.2 sec | 10.4 sec (better) |
| Power | 81 kW | 85 kW (better) |
| Torque | 285 Nm (better) | 270 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Kia Soul EV
27kWh
VW e-Golf
24kWh
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 | Kia Soul EV27kWh | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £5,995 | £9,795 |
| Average used price | £7,395 | £9,795 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 11 listings (better) | 7 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 7.3% over ~6 months | Up 3.2% 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 - Kia Soul EV 27kWh
Tested 2014
Euro NCAP - VW e-Golf 24kWh
Tested 2012
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist71%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Kia Soul EV27kWh | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 7 years | 8 years (better) |
| Battery warranty distance | 150,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
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.
VW e-Golf
24kWh
Owners love
- Owners like that it drives like a normal Golf: refined, comfortable, well built and with physical controls rather than touchscreens.
- Owners report very good efficiency, around 4 to 5 miles per kWh in mild weather, which gives the 35.8 kWh car roughly 120 to 140 miles.
- The battery pack has a good reliability record, with very few reported failures.
Watch out for
- Winter range drops sharply: owners of the 35.8 kWh car report around 90 to 100 miles in cold weather, and less without a heat pump.
- Rapid charging is slow by current standards (40 kW peak, tapering above about 80%), so long trips need long stops.
- Several owners report the charge-port lock actuator wearing out, clicking after charging or stopping the car from charging.
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump before buying; it is not on every car.
- On rapid chargers stop at about 80%, because the last 20% takes disproportionately long.
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia Soul EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Golf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia Soul EV
- £13,2952017EVHEROView
- £5,9952017Drive GreenView
- £7,3952018Drive GreenView
VW e-Golf
- £9,7952017Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia Soul EV or the VW e-Golf?
The two are within 1 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 601 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Golf and about 600 mm of total clearance for the Kia Soul EV. The Kia Soul EV also turns in a 0.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia Soul EV or the VW e-Golf?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Kia Soul EV and 84% for the VW e-Golf. 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 VW e-Golf 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 Kia Soul EV comparisons
More VW e-Golf 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 Kia Soul EV and VW e-Golf rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia Soul EV and VW e-Golf rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Kia Soul EV and VW e-Golf rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia Soul EV and VW e-Golf rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia Soul EV and VW e-Golf rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia Soul EV and VW e-Golf 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 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.
GuideUsed VW e-Golf buyer's guide (2014-2020)
Buying a used Volkswagen e-Golf: the 24.2 and 35.8 kWh versions, the battery warranty running out, realistic range, the charge-port fault owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .