Honestly, the 2017 Kia Soul EV shouldn't be as good as it is. It’s a literal toaster on wheels. It has the aerodynamics of a brick wall and a battery pack that, by today’s standards, looks like a AA battery next to a Tesla. But if you actually spend time with one, you start to realize why owners are so obsessed with them. It’s a weirdly honest car. It doesn't pretend to be a "mobility solution" or a "futuristic paradigm shift." It’s just a Kia Soul that happens to run on electricity.
Most people looking at an EV from 2017 are usually cross-shopping it with the Nissan Leaf. That’s a mistake. While the Leaf was out there dealing with rapid battery degradation because Nissan forgot that batteries need liquid cooling, Kia was actually doing something smarter. They used a sophisticated thermal management system. It wasn't perfect, but it kept these cars on the road much longer than their contemporaries.
What the 2017 Kia Soul EV Actually Gets Right
Let's talk about the range because that’s the first thing everyone asks about. Back in 2017, the Soul EV was rocking a 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. That gave it an EPA-estimated range of 93 miles.
Ninety-three miles.
In a world where a Lucid Air can go 500 miles, that sounds pathetic. But here’s the reality of how we actually drive. Most people in the U.S. drive less than 40 miles a day. If you have a charger in your garage, the 2017 Kia Soul EV is basically a smartphone that you sit in. You plug it in at night, and every morning you have a full tank. No gas stations. No oil changes. No spark plugs.
The interior is where it gets interesting. Kia didn't go for that "minimalist" look that every EV brand does now. You get actual buttons. You get a gear shifter that feels like a gear shifter. The 8-inch touchscreen was actually ahead of its time for 2017, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto right out of the box. That’s a huge deal for a car that’s nearly a decade old. Most luxury cars from that era have infotainment systems that feel like ancient relics, but the Soul EV stays relevant because your phone does the heavy lifting.
The Battery Tech Nobody Mentions
People obsess over Tesla’s 4680 cells, but the 2017 Kia Soul EV used a nickel-cobalt-manganese chemistry that was remarkably stable. Specifically, it used a high energy density cathode. This is why you see so many of these still hitting their original range numbers even after 80,000 miles.
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One thing that’s kinda wild? The 2017 model specifically added some efficiency tweaks that the earlier 2015 models lacked. They optimized the regenerative braking system. It feels more natural. You aren't being jerked forward every time you lift off the accelerator, but you’re still putting energy back into that 27 kWh pack.
The heat pump is another win. If you live in a cold climate like Chicago or Toronto, you know that EVs usually lose 40% of their range when the temperature drops. Kia included a heat pump on the + (Plus) trim that scavenges waste heat from the electronics to warm the cabin. It’s significantly more efficient than the resistive heaters found in cheap EVs. It’s the difference between making it home and calling a tow truck in January.
Living With the 93-Mile Limit
You can’t take this car on a cross-country road trip. Just don't.
It uses a CHAdeMO port for fast charging. In 2026, finding a working CHAdeMO plug is getting harder as the world moves toward NACS and CCS. Most Electrify America stations still have one, but they are often broken or occupied. If you buy a 2017 Kia Soul EV, you are buying a commuter car. It is the ultimate "second car" for a household.
Performance and "The Soul Feel"
It’s not fast. Not by a long shot.
The electric motor puts out 109 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Because it’s electric, all that torque is available the millisecond you touch the pedal. It feels punchy from 0 to 30 mph. It’s great for darting through city traffic. Once you hit 60 mph, though, the party is over. The aerodynamics (or lack thereof) start to fight back. Driving it on the highway feels a bit like trying to push a plywood sheet through a swimming pool.
But the visibility? Incredible.
The upright pillars and huge windows mean you have zero blind spots. It’s one of the easiest cars in the world to park. For a teenager’s first car or an older driver who wants something easy to get in and out of, it’s basically perfect. The battery is floor-mounted, which gives it a lower center of gravity than the gas-powered Soul. It actually handles corners better than you’d expect for a boxy hatchback.
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Common Problems and What to Watch For
No car is perfect, especially not an aging EV. If you’re looking at a used 2017 Kia Soul EV, you need to check the State of Health (SOH) of the battery.
- The OBC Failure: The On-Board Charger is a known weak point. If it fails, the car won't charge from a standard Level 1 or Level 2 outlet. It’s a several-thousand-dollar repair if it’s out of warranty. Always test the charging before you buy.
- Tire Wear: EVs are heavy. The Soul EV weighs about 600 pounds more than the gas version. It eats through front tires if you’re heavy-footed.
- The 12V Battery: This is the irony of all EVs. They have a massive battery to drive the wheels, but they still rely on a tiny 12V lead-acid battery to turn on the computers. If that little battery dies, the whole car is a paperweight. Owners usually replace these every three years just to be safe.
Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty was legendary, and for some 2017 models, it might still be active depending on the original "in-service" date. That’s a massive safety net that you don't get with an old BMW i3 or a Leaf.
Is the 2017 Kia Soul EV Still Worth Buying?
If you can find one for under $8,000 with a healthy battery, it is arguably the best value in the used car market.
Think about the math. If you’re spending $150 a month on gas for a commute, this car pays for itself in less than five years. The maintenance is basically just tires, cabin air filters, and windshield wiper fluid. There’s no transmission to slip, no timing belt to snap, and no exhaust to rust out.
It’s a tool. It isn't a status symbol. It’s for the person who looks at a car and sees an appliance, not an identity. And as far as appliances go, this one is pretty charming. The "Bio-Fabric" seats made from sugar cane and corn fibers are surprisingly comfortable. The quirky speaker lights that pulse to the beat of your music are a bit "early 2010s," but they give the car a personality that most modern EVs lack.
Actionable Next Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re serious about picking up a 2017 Kia Soul EV, don't just take the seller's word for it. You need data.
- Get a Bluetooth OBDII Dongle: Buy a cheap scanner and download an app called "Soul EV Spy." It connects to the car’s computer and tells you the exact "State of Health" of the battery. Anything above 85% is excellent for this age.
- Check the Charging Port: Look for signs of melting or scorching on the J1772 and CHAdeMO ports. Some owners have had issues with "hot" charging sessions if the pins get dirty.
- Verify the Trim Level: The "EV+" (Plus) trim is the one you want. It adds the heat pump, leather-ish seats (ventilated and heated), and power-folding mirrors. The base "EV-e" is much more stripped down and lacks the efficiency-boosting heat pump.
- Inspect the Underbody: Since the battery hangs low, check for scrapes or dents in the battery casing. A punctured battery housing is an instant "total loss" in the eyes of insurance companies.
The 2017 Kia Soul EV represents a specific moment in time—the transition from "experimental" EVs to "practical" ones. It’s not the car for everyone. It won't work for your trip to the mountains. It won't impress your neighbors. But for the 90% of driving that involves going to work, the grocery store, and the gym, it’s one of the smartest financial moves you can make. It’s a quiet, reliable, and surprisingly spacious little tank that proves you don't need a $60,000 Tesla to join the electric revolution.
Don't let the 93-mile range scare you off. Embrace the box. It’s one of the few used cars that actually feels like it's on your side.
Expert Insight: When inspecting a used Soul EV, always check the climate control system. Turn the AC to its lowest setting and the heat to its highest. On older electric vehicles, the PTC heater or the heat pump are often the first major components to fail after the battery. Replacing a heater core in an EV can be labor-intensive because it involves high-voltage systems. If the air doesn't get hot within 30 seconds, walk away from the deal. Efficiency is the name of the game here, and a broken climate system on a small battery car is a dealbreaker.