Battery Concerns on a Used Soul EV

[De_Santa]

Hey everyone, We’re thinking about getting a used Kia Soul EV for my daily commute in Seattle. I’d only be driving about 20-25 miles a day, so the range seems fine, but I have a few questions before we commit:

• Since we’re looking at 2016 or 2017 models, there wouldn’t be any warranty left. Should we be worried about battery degradation with these cars? Is it a big issue?
• How often do the battery packs fail, and is there a way to test the battery health before buying?
• For those who own one, how much more should I expect to pay for insurance? Is it a noticeable jump?
• Lastly, is there anything else we should keep in mind before going ahead? Maintenance concerns? Quirks?

Thanks so much for any advice you can share!

 

[IanL]

Test the battery health by reading the State-of-Health (SOH). KIA replace under warranty when it is down to 70%. KIA dealers can read it with the KDU (Kia Diagnostic Unit) and you can read it with an Android phone or pad using SoulEV Spy and a suitable OBD dongle (see the Spy website).

 

[KFSeattle]

Hey everyone, We’re thinking about getting a used Kia Soul EV for my daily commute in Seattle. I’d only be driving about 20-25 miles a day, so the range seems fine, but I have a few questions before we commit:

• Since we’re looking at 2016 or 2017 models, there wouldn’t be any warranty left. Should we be worried about battery degradation with these cars? Is it a big issue?
• How often do the battery packs fail, and is there a way to test the battery health before buying?
• For those who own one, how much more should I expect to pay for insurance? Is it a noticeable jump?
• Lastly, is there anything else we should keep in mind before going ahead? Maintenance concerns? Quirks?

Thanks so much for any advice you can share!

Also in Seattle and I love, love, love my 2017 Soul EV. Your battery should still be under warranty for 10 years/100,000 miles. You'll notice a drop in range during the cooler months but it will bounce back up in summer. Range isn't great on long distance highway driving, and it's hard to find working CHAdeMO chargers. You'll be fine with your regular commute, and should be pleased with how much range the regenerative braking returns on the Seattle hills. Don't know about insurance differences, but be aware that car tabs for EVs are higher because they add $75 for EV infrastructure and $150 to fund road maintenance and improvements - which is only fair since we don't pay gas taxes that help fund roads.

 

[nileriver]

USA Kia Soul EVs do have 10 yr/100K warranty on EV battery. I think I’ve read that it is less in Europe and Canada. Before I bought one, I would make sure that it has maybe a couple years of warranty left, unless it has a newer battery already. The older ones seem to be failing, but usually and thankfully, within the warranty term. My 2016 is in the shop now for a new battery. They thought I was paying, and quoted me $33K. This basically totals the car. So, if the battery fails completely, the car is basically worthless, unless Kia is paying. Mine still showed ~ 65 miles range on the GOM at full charge, but it had become unsafe with the sudden shut-downs. Idk what my battery’s SOH shows now. A year ago, with about the same range, the Kia shop said 75%.

TLDR: Proceed with caution.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

We just bought a 2016 with 71,000Km and really like it. My conditional offer was the battery had to show at least 90% under load. Kia dealer reported it at 92%.
Good luck with your new to you Soul.

 

[JejuSoul]

...My conditional offer was the battery had to show at least 90% under load. ...

This is a sensible request. But you don't say how it was actually tested 'under load'.
I would suggest testing it by driving up a steep hill or mountain.
Anyway "Good luck with your new Soul" as well. And welcome to the Forum

 

[jcaz2019SoulEV]

hard to find working CHAdeMO chargers

CCS adapters have dropped under $1000. I haven't jumped on one yet, but could see getting one this year.

OP, we most frequently charge overnight at home with a Mustart level 2 charger, 220v/12a for the daily commute. A multi amp charger which we can bump up to the full 32a if we need an extra boost, during the weekend for instance. Check your power company for discounts; ours offers discounts on wall mounted, ChargePoint Flex for instance.

 

[jcaz2019SoulEV]

. They thought I was paying, and quoted me $33K.

Kia.parts show the power battery ~$15k.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

Hey everyone, We’re thinking about getting a used Kia Soul EV for my daily commute in Seattle. I’d only be driving about 20-25 miles a day, so the range seems fine, but I have a few questions before we commit:

• Since we’re looking at 2016 or 2017 models, there wouldn’t be any warranty left. Should we be worried about battery degradation with these cars? Is it a big issue?
• How often do the battery packs fail, and is there a way to test the battery health before buying?
• For those who own one, how much more should I expect to pay for insurance? Is it a noticeable jump?
• Lastly, is there anything else we should keep in mind before going ahead? Maintenance concerns? Quirks?

Thanks so much for any advice you can share!

This is a sensible request. But you don't say how it was actually tested 'under load'.
I would suggest testing it by driving up a steep hill or mountain.
Anyway "Good luck with your new Soul" as well. And welcome to the Forum

Can't say how they tested it but the dealer is one of the largest in BC so hopefully are equipped to provide a reliable test method.

 

[IanL]

Can't say how they tested it but the dealer is one of the largest in BC so hopefully are equipped to provide a reliable test method.

Forgive my scepticism, but maybe they just turned the headlamps on.

 

[nileriver]

Kia.parts show the power battery ~$15k.

Yeah, I only reported what my local Kia dealership’s service department quoted. No big surprise to me that they were trying to bend me over. But even at $15,000 for the battery, not even counting labor cost, still totals my car. I love my car, but I have zero love for the local Kia dealership. I doubt I will buy another Kia since the next nearest dealership is about an hour or so drive away. And owned by the same company to boot.

 

[FLKiaEV]

When I had my battery pack replaced under warranty for my 2016 Soul EV (which took EIGHT MONTHS!) the invoice said ~$9000 for the battery pack. This is in U.S. currency. The main reason it took so long was because it happened during Covid when all shipping was delayed, plus, in the case of Kia and Hyundai's electric cars, what they do is they build the new packs (some say new, some say rebuilt) in South Korea and then let them accumulate until they reach a certain number (it would be wasteful to ship one or two at a time) and ship them all to their U.S. warehouse closest to your dealership and test them. Once they pass they are shipped to the dealership and installed.

 

[FLKiaEV]

By the way, is this forum better or the one on Facebook?

 

[Charlie Sweet]

Better.

 

[FLKiaEV]

Okay, thanks Charlie. I posted something on the Facebook page and never got a reply, so I think you're right.