2010 Kia Soul Wgn Man 4u 2.0L Edmonton, Alberta-1308271

EDMONTON, Alberta - Sept. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- We may have the textbook example of the old “right product at the right time” with Kia’s latest marque. I hadn’t seen a Soul in the flesh before, but the photos I had seen of the likeable small-hauler were intriguing.

It was hard to tell from the pics how large/small the Soul would be, but I figured if they kept the car on the compact side it would hit the market at exactly the right time to appeal to the scaling-back of consumer spending habits that is our reality right now.

When I finally saw the vehicle for realsies at the Soul’s formal launch, it lived up to what I wanted. The new offering from the Korean manufacturer is a combination of compactness and utility (wrapped in sheet metal that is definitely an adventurous departure for Kia)

The crossover’s footprint is no bigger than most economy cars (though it is slightly longer and wider than the Rio, from which it gets its basic platform) but is tall enough to boast the high sightlines that sell utility vehicles.

Its height allows easy entry and exit, and creates very good interior headroom throughout the cabin; with a 60/40 split-fold rear row that gives it a significant cargo advantage over a number of small-car choices.

So with the basics of daily transportation covered, the story becomes the styling of the Soul. I don’t think Kia has gone too far with the funkiness of the body (which would cripple sales appeal by reducing it to a love-it-or-hate-it affair), but the vehicle is instantly distinctive. The blunt and squared-off body, riding on wheels pushed out to the corners of the frame with a minimal grille accenting the face of the car, make it eye-catching.

Kia has introduced more choices of interior color schemes (and exterior paint jobs) for the Soul than any other vehicle it produces. From an embroidered basic black (cloth upholstery in all trims, as you might imagine) in the bottom-end model to a two-toned red-on-black combo for the top-line “Burner” trim, the company has gone to some length to allow for personalization when choosing a Soul.

The inside ambience is enhanced with practical features like steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, or a folding armrest on the driver’s seat; and frivolous available options like an LED mounted within the stereo speakers on the front doors that will pulse like a hot stove element to music playing from the stereo.

Across all lines, the Soul uses the same suspension, a sort of medium-tuned rig with independent front-strut and torsion beam rear that keeps the ride a close approximation of a sedan, though a little on the rough side. (the trims from “4u” and up get a slightly stiffer, sportier tuned version of the same suspension)

Call Ward McBride at 780-462-5959 for more info!