The 2017 Kia Soul Electric gets 105 MPG combined, a reflection of its ability to travel over 100 miles on a single charge. This makes it a good option for budget-conscious urban drivers who like unusual styling and don’t need extreme range. It’s a city car designed to minimize running costs while offering a practical, boxy interior. Its efficiency makes the Soul EV a fiscally responsible choice for a specific niche of drivers.

City and highway performance

The EPA rates the 2017 Kia Soul Electric at 120 MPG in the city and 92 MPG on the highway. This difference shows how electric powertrains work, excelling in stop-and-go traffic because of regenerative braking. In city driving, the Soul EV can recover a lot of energy, improving its range and efficiency. The highway mileage, while lower, is still excellent, but expect the range to drop more quickly at higher speeds due to increased air resistance and less regenerative braking. Consider pre-heating the interior and turning on the heated seats instead of the HVAC during the winter months to reduce energy consumption.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2017 Kia Soul Electric at $700. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with a split between city and highway driving, using the national average electricity price at the time of calculation. Your actual cost will depend on your driving and electricity prices in your area, but this $700 estimate shows potential savings compared to a gasoline car. A comparable gasoline vehicle with 25 combined MPG could easily cost $2,400 a year or more in fuel.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA figures are a good reference, real-world range and efficiency can change based on several things. Temperature is important, cold weather can reduce battery performance, impacting range. Driving style also matters, fast acceleration and high speeds use more energy. Terrain is another factor, hilly routes will lower your range, as will passengers and cargo. Many owners get close to the EPA estimates in good conditions, but it’s wise to allow some extra margin, especially if your daily driving involves difficult conditions.

How it compares

The 2017 Kia Soul Electric’s 105 MPG combined places it against other electric vehicles of its time. The 2017 Nissan Leaf gets about 112 MPG combined, a slightly better rating but often with a less distinctive design. The BMW i3 delivers around 118 MPG combined. See all Kia fuel economy data. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Bolt has much higher range and similar MPG, but costs more. The Soul EV has affordability, practicality, and distinctive looks, making it a good choice if those things are more important than maximum range. The SOUL MPG across all years can be found here.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Use the Soul EV’s regenerative braking system as much as possible. Slow down early to recapture energy. Try different regenerative braking levels to find what works best and maximizes efficiency.

Careful use of climate control features can change range a lot. Pre-condition the car while it’s plugged in. Use seat heaters and steering wheel heaters instead of the climate control system whenever you can, as they use less power.

Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, decreasing efficiency. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially with temperature changes, and inflate them to the pressure on the doorjamb sticker.

Remove unnecessary weight. Remove any extra items from the car to reduce the load. A lighter car is more efficient, so removing clutter can slightly improve range and efficiency.

Plan your routes carefully. Choose routes with fewer hills and less stop-and-go traffic if possible. Use navigation apps to find the most efficient route and avoid traffic. Smooth, consistent driving uses the battery’s energy efficiently.