2014 Kia Forte Koup Ex on 2040-cars

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Rumor suggests Kia Soul EV replacement will not come stateside

The replacement for the Kia Soul EV may not come to the United States after all. Despite the company's plans to introduce it here last year, presumably as a 2020 model, a Kia source has reportedly told Roadshow that plans to bring the next-generation compact electric hatchback to the U.S. have effectively been canceled. While Kia has not officially commented on the current status of the Soul EV, its delayed introduction is a troublesome signal to those who hoped to see the second-generation electric hatchback on U.S. dealer lots. While a delay of just a year is fairly minor compared to what we've seen from some promised introductions in the past decade (looking at you, Mazda), this rumor — combined with the lack of official updates from Kia — is nonetheless concerning to those who were excited by the prospect of Kia's small EV returning.  The Soul EV has been on sale in Europe since late last year. It can drive for up to 243 miles on a single charge, which is about double that of the last-generation model. Kia originally blamed the delay on supply issues related to its battery pack, which it shares with the Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia Niro EV. Roadshow speculates that priority is being given to the Niro here in the United States, as it is already on sale and its crossover format gives it an advantage with American buyers. When reached for comment, a Kia spokesperson confirmed that the company is focused on Niro EV deliveries and that the Soul EV is not expected to arrive any sooner than 2021, but stopped short of confirming that it is currently on track for release next year.  If this rumor turns out to be accurate, it will be a blow to the compact electric car segment, as the Soul EV looked to be a highly competitive entry, with more polish and refinement than the Chevrolet Bolt and a healthy range advantage over the Nissan Leaf.  Related Video:

2014 Kia Soul to get quasi-SUV look for Europe [w/poll]

The 2014 Soul is bigger and more refined, and Kia says its look has been inspired in part by the Track'ster concept. Interestingly, European buyers will get the option of a different look than what we'll see in our showrooms. They'll be able to specify the SUV Styling Pack seen here, which includes matte-black cladding on the front and rear fascias, along with what Kia refers to as piano-black trim on the wheel wells and side skirts. The roof is available painted black, white or red. With all of that black trim and slightly tougher look, the styling reminds us of the Fiat 500L Trekking, a model the Soul will compete directly against.
European markets also have the ability to spec their Souls like our North American version, which substitutes body-color trim for most of the black pieces. Currently, there are no plans to bring the SUV Styling Pack to the US. But that doesn't mean we'll never be able to buy this butch-look Soul on our side of the Atlantic. Company spokesperson James Hope confirms to Autoblog, "[Kia] has no plans to offer something similar to the EU-spec Soul at this time. However, we are always monitoring the market and if we saw an opportunity we would certainly look into it."
Feel free to peruse the press release below for more details on the Euro-spec Soul - which is slated to debut at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show - and then let Kia know if they should bring the SUV Styling Pack here by participating in our poll below.

IIHS study finds minivans are unsafe for second-row passengers

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) updated its moderate overlap front crash test in late 2022, and it found that four minivans struggle to protect second-row passengers. The agency stresses that minivan manufacturers need to prioritize safety for the rear occupants. While the minivan is no longer a common sight in driveways across America, it remains relatively popular among buyers with kids and gear to haul around. The IIHS tested four models: the Chrysler Pacifica, the Kia Carnival, the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey. These vans were put through an updated test that places a dummy the size of a small woman or a 12-year-old child in the seat directly behind the driver. IIHS explains that, for a vehicle to earn a "good" rating, there can't be an excessive risk of injury to the head, neck, chest or thigh. None of the four minivans achieved that distinction; the Pacifica, the Carnival and the Sienna got a "marginal" rating, while the Odyssey scored a "poor" rating. IIHS also points out that, with the exception of the Sienna, these vans lack a seatbelt reminder for the second-row passengers. Chrysler Pacifica View 5 Photos "The restraint systems in all four vehicles leave the second-row occupant vulnerable to chest injuries, either because of excessive belt forces or poor belt positioning. That's concerning because those injuries can be life-threatening," said Jessica Jermakian, the IIHS vice president of vehicle research, in a statement. IIHS stresses, in spite of these results, the back seat remains the safest place for children to travel in. In the Sienna, the rear dummy "submarined" (or slid forward) beneath the lap belt while the shoulder belt moved toward the neck. In the Carnival and the Pacifica, the seatbelt put too much force on the dummy's chest. IIHS adds that, alarmingly, the Pacifica's side curtain airbag did not deploy during the crash test and that the forces exerted on the dummy's neck were high in the Carnival. In the Odyssey, the forces exerted on the head and on the neck were even higher, and the dummy's head came too close to the front seatback in spite of the seatbelt. On a brighter note, all four vans earned a "good" rating for front-passenger protection. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Chrysler Honda Kia Toyota Safety Minivan/Van IIHS crash test Insurance Institute for Highway Safety