With the arrival of two new electric vehicles in Canada last year, the EV segment is suddenly filled with several interesting options for consumers who want to get away from their dependence on oil companies. It all started about seven years ago with the arrival of the Nissan Leaf, the first modern electric car to be introduced in Canada.

The Leaf opened the door to the electrified models we have today, models like the Kia Soul EV. An electric version of the Kia Soul urban utility vehicle, the EV stands out mainly in terms of cargo space and in that sense is an interesting option. That said, the new 2018 Nissan Leaf, with its superior range, advanced driving technologies and more affordable price has the edge on several levels.

In other words, we have two excellent models here, but the 2018 Nissan Leaf should be able to meet more needs.

Better performance and more range for the 2018 Nissan Leaf

With the new 2018 Nissan Leaf, drivers benefit from 236 lb-ft of torque and an improved electric motor capable of propelling the Leaf to 100 km/h in just 8.5 seconds. The Kia Soul EV, on the other hand, offers 210 lb-ft of torque, and it reaches 100 km/h 12.0 seconds. As you can see, the difference is not insignificant.

Performance is one thing, but what really matters with an electric car is its range. Once again, the 2018 Nissan Leaf has the advantage here. That's because the Leaf draws power from a 40 kWh battery that allows for 241 kilometers between recharges. You can get 80 percent of that range in about 40 minutes, and a full charge with a 120-volt outlet takes 16 hours. It's much faster with a 240-volt outlet.

On the Kia Soul EV, a 27 kWh battery is offered and the possible range is 150 kilometers, 91 kilometers less than the Leaf. It also takes about 24 hours to recharge with a 120-volt outlet.

The 2018 Nissan Leaf is more affordable than the Kia Soul EV

The 2018 Nissan Leaf will be available in Canada starting in early 2018 at a starting price of $35,998 before the $8,000 rebate offered by the Quebec government. Of course, the Kia Soul EV is also eligible for this rebate, but its starting price is set at $37,250, nearly $1,500 more than the 2018 Nissan Leaf.

So it goes without saying that with its more accessible price and better range, the new 2018 Leaf has the advantage over the Kia Soul EV even though the latter is a very good vehicle. To learn more, contact us today at Belvedere Nissan!