I was first considering :
1) bmw serie 2, active tourer:
++ PHEV hybrid : can do both electric and petrol if needed for long range
-- with only 30 km electric range we would have to charge it everyday
-- was expensive
-- when not used in ev mode, no advantage vs a normal ICE, even higher petrol consumption vs. standard ICE
2) bmw i3, but it was
++ premium car manufacturer with a futuristic carosserie technologie (composite materials)
++ good acceleration
-- expensive
-- only a 4 seater, cabin too small for our family
3) Nissan leaf
++ UVO, app
-- most ugly car on earth or at least not far from that
4) Renault Zoe,
++ very good range, and relatively cheap
-- plastiky, look and feel cheap
-- no support for DC fast charging
I choose the Soul because:
++ it looks funny,
++ driving is really joyful and relaxed with linear accelerations, not as punchy as other ev but ok
++ the cabin was large enough for 5 adults
+/- cargo space is ok, not gigantic but ok
++ it is short enough for city usage
After 1 month of use:
I am so glad about this choice,
at the beginning it was supposed to be our second car, but at the end I sold our first car (family 7 seater, ICE) to just keep this one. If we ever need to do long range trip (a few times per year), then I will rent one car.
it is silent, super relaxed to drive in cities or stop and go in B-mode, the children like the design as well
the air filter (ionizer) does a good job to suppress all odours and to give a nice cabi air
nice touchscreen and entertainment system,
pre-heating is just great in cold mornings
that's the first SUV like car that is, because of his very low centre of gravity, not wobbling above humps or during turns !
Bottom line:
that's simply a perfect city car !!!
Only drawback: because of his SUV boxy shape, this car is not made for highways (the consumption is doubled) or plan many stops
