By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Kia picked the perfect vehicle for its first electric car effort and surely the hamsters are dancing in the streets charged up by a jolt of electricity. The second-generation Kia Soul was introduced for the 2014 model year loaded with style and character and it's now the company's second-best seller. So it seems a no-brainer to turn the hip urban crossover into the company's first all-electric zero emissions vehicle.

The Soul EV promises 93-miles range, bested only by the considerably more expensive luxury Tesla Model S. And the Soul's 360-volt lithium-ion polymer battery pack charges relatively quickly, about five hours when plugged to a 220 volt outlet. We were saddled with just a standard 120 volt charger, which according to Kia will pump up a depleted battery in 24 hours. Two charging sessions took only about 15 hours on both occasions. We charged a second EV with the 120 for about 20 hours to max the battery. If in a rush the Kia can gain an 80 percent charge in about 30 minutes using a fast charging port.

What didn't impress us was the range that fell far short of the advertised 93 miles. We were left with a 79-mile range after the first charge and a 77-mile range after the second. The second EV proved better, giving us a 91-mile range. But that was basically our only gripe and something that could probably be mitigated with the proper at-home charging station.

We were pleased with the performance of the car from its 109-horsepower electric motor, which produces 210 pound-feet of instantaneous torque. We soundlessly moved through city traffic getting up to stoplight-to-stoplight speed in a brisk fashion. We were astounded at how quiet the Soul EV performed under acceleration with virtually no motor whirring, just the low-level noise of low-resistance tires on pavement. For the benefit of pedestrian safety, the Soul EV is equipped with a Pedestrian Warning System that emits an auditory alert at speeds below 12 mph and whenever the car is in reverse.

We anticipated trouble gaining highway speed from the on-ramp and we worried about difficulty merging into 65 mph traffic. Our fears proved unfounded as we pushed the pedal to the medal and the Soul responded with pleasing performance. We found that the car handled extremely well. It was well balanced and Kia engineers did a nice job in retuning the suspension to handle the 400 pounds of extra weight it gained with its sizable battery, regenerative brakes and stiffer (heavier) low resistance tires. What’s more, because of the retuning, the Soul EV’s center of gravity is lower making it hug the pavement even more.

On the outside the Soul EV sports a more aerodynamically clean exterior design with its grille replaced by a charging port, new headlights and bumpers, and flat-faced wheels. And the Soul EV offers three distinctive dual-color schemes.

Inside, the Soul EV features a unique instrument cluster with white interior trim, using a custom version of Kia's Uvo infotainment system. This revised version of Uvo does everything from show the electric car's maximum range on top of a digital map to displaying exactly how much electricity things such as the headlights, windshield wipers, and turn signals are using.

The Soul's boxy design results in excellent head room for both rows of passengers while providing a good field of vision in all directions. Cargo space has been reduced from 24.2 cubic feet in the standard Soul to 18.8 in the EV to allow for battery storage. Likewise, with the seats folded the standard Soul has a useable 61.3 cubic feet, the EV just 49.5.

The enlarged tailgate is defined by black glass that morphs into gloss black trim that runs around the back and surrounds the large vertical taillights. It's very fetching.

The Soul EV comes in two trim configurations, base and Soul+ starting at $34,500 including destination charge. Standard Soul EV amenities include navigation with eight-inch screen, a 6.6kW on-board charger, a DC fast charge port, rear camera display, Bluetooth hands free operation, power windows, power driver’s seat, cruise control, and an exclusive HVAC system designed to extend driving range by minimizing energy draw.

Our two Soul+ test vehicles each carried a bottom line of $36,625. A $7,500 federal tax credit takes the base car down to a more attractive price of $27,000. The Soul EV can also be leased for $249 a month. The Soul EV for now can only be purchased or leased in California. Kia says other markets will come on line later this year.

Essentials
Base price: $34,500; as driven, $36,625
Engine: Electric motor
Horsepower: 109
Torque: 210 pound-feet
Transmission: 1-speed direct drive
Drive: front wheel
Seating: 2/3
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Length: 163 inches
Curb weight: 3,289 pounds
Turning circle: 34.8 feet
Luggage capacity: 18.8 cubic feet
Cargo capacity: 49.5 cubic feet
Fuel: electric
EPA rating: 92 MPGe highway, 120 MPGe city
0-60: 10.7 seconds
Also consider: Nissan Leaf, VW e-Golf, Chevrolet Spark EV

The Good
• Quiet, attractive cabin
• Excellent passenger space
• Most range in segment

The Bad
• Available only in California

The Ugly
• Advertised range falls short in real-world driving