Everything was "on time and arranged" for the Sunday trip with an electric car. But then I drove away...
My plan was to pick up the KIA in Drammen and drive the old Sørlandske down to the Horten and Omegn Veteranvogn Klubb's car exhibition in Borre. I had calculated a mileage that should be higher than what the first generation e-Golf and Nissan Leaf 24 kwh could manage. That's how we with range anxiety do it when we have to drive an unfamiliar car to an unknown place. We plan down to the last detail. The infotainment system on board shows range check on the map, as well as an overview of available charging stations - but I prefer to check myself. Just in case. Half an hour on the ChaDeMo fast charger gives 0-80% capacity.
But on the way out of Drammen I managed to take the wrong road. I read Kristiansand, but in a thoughtless moment I instead made my way to Kongsberg. If you end up inside the tunnel to Kongsberg, you have to drive 12,5 km all the way to Mjøndalen before you can turn around and drive back – the same way you came. I watched my reach account crumble.
The KIA Soul has a theoretical range of 212 km. I think it said about 200 km when I started. After the involuntary detour, - well into the old Sørland south of Kobbervikdalen, - the dashboard showed a range of just 151 km. That didn't bode well for my range tally. In the irritation of having driven wrong, I had been anything but light on the accelerator.
Gamle Sørlandske Hovedvei, - formerly E18, - has retained the speed regulation from when it was the main thoroughfare. That means 70 km/h almost all the way. Ideal for electric cars. I turned off the air conditioning, put the gear lever in "B" for braking energy regeneration and set myself up for economical driving. Keep your attention far ahead on the road, and avoid rapid braking and acceleration. The reward came quite quickly in the form of the range meter dropping less than the actual kilometers covered.
It was Ascension Day and the long weekend. Many had followed the calls on the radio to take the old way. There was still good flow on the road all the way to Holmestrand. There it stopped, just as it did in the old days when "the whole of Norway" passed the small town under the mountain. Without aircon, I didn't lose any electricity. I enjoyed the air of summer and sea through an open window.
The Kia Soul also has an artificial engine brake that converts braking energy into electricity. It is not possible to adjust the braking force, but it is not necessary either. It suits my taste perfectly. I ease off the gas a little when the traffic pattern allows. Not so much that the brake lights come on, but enough that I can see that the batteries are being charged. Once you get used to this feature, you can noticeably increase your mileage.
You cruise just fine at 100-110 km/h on the motorway. The KIA Soul is not a sports car. It rolls quite a lot. I like that tall cars are not too stiff. You sit comfortably high, like in a Volkswagen Touran. Sound comfort is good. There is some rumbling from the tyres, a little more than in the Audi A3 e-tron I drove earlier in the day, but not annoying. No high-frequency road noises, only soft rubber against the asphalt. The tires are 205/60R16. The electric motor sound is absent. It makes so little noise that the engineers have added artificial noise when reversing and driving at walking speed. Smart.
Gamle Sørlandske is an alright alternative to the motorway down in Vestfold, especially if you are on a trip. Before Nykirke you have to pay attention, because almost all the signs try to trick you onto the motorway. I continued instead on Hellandveien and later Nykirkeveien. These are very idyllic country roads where you drive well at 60-70 km/h.
The first impression of the interior is like Leaf and Auris. But KIA has lifted it by giving it youthful design. "My" car has a leather interior. I found a perfectly good sitting position. However, the levers for the seat adjustment are soft and tingly. I tried to lower the seat with a lever I thought was made for that, but didn't dare use it for fear it would break. It's a shame that plastic gadgets for a couple of tens spoil the overall impression.
Speaking of the car's negative aspects, I would also like to point out that the daytime running lights do not turn on the rear lights. I realized it when the car behind flashed as we entered the tunnel on the E134. I also include frustration that the navigation system does not include small streets in Drammen.
The first destination on the trip was Borre, which lies just south of Horten and is known for its burial mounds. I turned off at the church and followed the small road down to Borre Familiecamping and the boat harbour. It's almost how you imagined the Viking ships on the beach. Instead, I glimpsed ships in formation south towards Slagen. Beautiful that too.
As usual, the car exhibition was held at Gamle Borre Station, which today is only an old building without a railway. A perfect backdrop for old cars of all ages. There was a good atmosphere and many visitors. Not just old men like myself, but families with children. In a time with a lot of negative talk about cars, I think it's important to show cars from a different angle - as something beautiful and a bit nostalgic.
I think the Kia Soul is one of the toughest electric cars today. That is perhaps because it is based on a normal cool everyday car, - not a specially designed car for low air resistance and fancy electric car effects. I like the functional, square look. Even if you sit high, and the compartment seems airy, there are no major space advantages in the car. Rear seat passengers have good legroom and are suitable for children due to good visibility. The trunk is 281 liters - like the VW Polo. It is completely flat, and a compartment underneath hides the charging cables.
According to the local newspaper NCAP safety in the KIA Soul is not among the best European competitors. Total score does not reach the Nissan Leaf. Among other things, the report points to an increased risk of damage to the upper torso in the event of a side impact against a post.
"My" car has the highest level of equipment at NOK 259, which includes ventilated leather seats, heated rear seats and front and rear parking sensors. Prices for the KIA Soul start at 900. Even the cheapest model has LED lights, navigation, keyless access, heated steering wheel etc. The list of extras is not very long. There is not much you need to spend on winter wheels and paint additives. The nice combination of black/red costs NOK 224.
Considering the entry-level model, you get a lot of car for the money. I like the design of the car, both inside and out. It is not a distinctly "keen driver's car", nor premium class, - but still provides a high feel-good factor in daily use, as well as pleasure trips. You sit comfortably high. In terms of space, it belongs to the B class, which corresponds to the Volkswagen Polo. It is very easy to drive and requires no getting used to. The steering wheel, gears and switches are where you'd expect them to be.
And the range?
The practical range is completely on par with the new Nissan Leaf 30 kwh. Unfortunately, the first miles disappeared all too quickly. But after I joined old Sørlandske it went much better. I didn't charge on the way, and still had a few miles left when I got home. With mostly calm driving, half without air conditioning, I got 185 km mileage in 17-18 degree summer temperatures and a slight headwind on the way home.
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