The Soul lives in that increasingly gray area between hatchbacks and SUVs. A boxy, upright design gives it abundant interior space and super-easy access. You sit up high in chairlike seats, surrounded by an ample glass area for good visibility. Overall, it feels like driving a small SUV, but one that's lower to the ground.
Redesigned for 2014, the new Soul provides a more mature and well-rounded package than its predecessor. That is, once you get past the quirky styling, which reminds some of a surfer dude with wraparound shades.
Unlike a true SUV, the Soul is available only with front-wheel drive. Our test vehicle had the larger of two engines available, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. Even so, power delivery was just adequate. Some of us wanted more gusto when merging or going uphill. Fuel economy averaged 26 mpg, which is good but not outstanding.
We suspect the less powerful 1.6-liter four-cylinder base engine would also be wanting for oomph.
This Soul is quieter than the previous model, and its small size makes it easy to park and maneuver. But overall the driving experience is nothing special. Handling is secure when pushed but not inspiring during everyday jaunts. And the ride is stiff and jiggly, which can become fatiguing on a long ride.
Inside, there's generous room. The supportive leather front seats are much more comfortable than those in most lower-priced cars. The spacious rear seat is comfortable for two adults, but those taller than 6 feet may find scant head room. Three can squeeze in, though they may be a bit too close for comfort. There's not much trunk room when the backseat is up.
The vehicle's low floor, tall roof line, and square door openings make getting in to and out of it extremely easy. Very little ducking is required.
Controls in the Soul are refreshingly simple to use. The base radio has large buttons for common functions and an easy-to-read display. The up-level system has an 8-inch touch screen with large fonts and on-screen buttons, and a simple menu. The screen also responds to swipe motions. We like the well-laid-out steering-wheel buttons and the red and green color-coded buttons for the phone.
It's easy to pair a cell phone, and once that's done, it seamlessly reconnects every time you get into the vehicle. You can stream Pandora radio by tethering your iPhone via a USB cable; Android devices connect only via Bluetooth.
You can use voice commands to select the music source, change radio stations, initiate phone calls, or interact with the navigation system.
A big draw is Kia's long list of available features. Our loaded midtrim + (Plus) version includes appealing items such as a push-button start, an automatic climate system, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, a backup camera, and a touch-screen navigation system.