2020 Kia Soul EV Prototype Reveals Dashboard, Much Improved Range

The redesigned 2020 Soul EV is still undergoing tests, only this time, the heavy body cladding has been removed and, more importantly, our spy photographers managed to take a peek inside.

Starting with the car’s overall aesthetic, it’s clear that the boxy design and squared off front fascia are there to stay, although we do expect the electrified version to feature a different grille than its ICE-powered counterparts, as is the norm in EVs.

The real news, though, is the shots of the interior, which are actually a lot more revealing than we first thought. Not only do we get to see what the general dashboard layout looks like, but also what this particular prototype can do in terms of driving range.

Before we get to that, let’s run through all the visual differences between this dashboard design and the one on the current model. Design-wise, the layout is definitely more modern, with a new steering wheel, a new, larger infotainment display, larger air vents, a redesigned climate control stack and a new center console featuring a rotary-style shifter instead of a more traditional one.

Now, about the range: according to the readout on the central display, this prototype can drive for 437 km (271 miles) on a 92% battery charge. This is major news seen as how we had previously suspected that the new Soul EV would feature the same 64 kWh lithium-ion battery/electric motor combo that powers the Hyundai Kona Electric, which can travel 415 km (258 miles) between charges on a full battery.

If this reading is accurate, then this might very well be the case. Moreover, the new Sould EV have a much improved range compared to the current, 2018MY model, which can only manage 178 km (111 miles).

The upcoming Kia Soul EV will likely be unveiled sometime next year as a 2020 model.