So, how cool does a car have to be in order to make TIME.com’s “Most Exciting Cars of 2010” list? Pretty cool! One glance

At Laguna Seca in California... (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

at the list, which includes Hyundai’s new Genesis Coupe, Ford’s Taurus SHO, Cadillac’s CTS Sport Wagon, Jeep’s new Grand Cherokee, Toyota’s Venza, Nissan’s 370Z, Suzuki’s all-new midsize Kizashi sedan, VW’s totally redesigned Golf, and Mercedes-Benz’s completely redone E-Class, and it’s easy to see that the 2010 Kia Soul, also on the list, is in seriously heady company. But I could have told you that it was seriously special back in April when I first drove it throughout the Monterey Peninsula before lapping it around Laguna Seca, and couldn’t believe how well it stood up to the rigorous track.

So far I’ve spent a fair bit of time with Kia’s latest wonder child. The least boxy of a new class of Asian rolling tool kits, the Soul fights it out with Nissan’s now curvy but still clever cube, Scion’s recently redesigned rounder xB, due for

In and around Monterey... (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Canadian consumption soon, and the one that started it all, Honda’s somewhat larger Element. Love ‘em or lump ‘em, these are some of the best vehicles for maximizing people and load hauling capacity while getting the most out of a tank of gas. Also on the list, but going about things in an entirely different way are Chevy’s retro HHR and Chrysler’s now classic PT Cruiser, truly American alternatives to a market that previously only offered economy wagons. Soon Chevrolet will compete more directly with the Orlando and Ford will offer the European-designed Kuga, and no doubt other competitors will pop up to forever change the way we commute.

The Soul, in comparison to the others (although I must admit to having never driven an xB), is a step up the desirability ladder. Yes, I know, I’m talking about a

Near my home with an automatic equipped version... (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Kia here, and I’m comparing it to much-vaunted Japanese brands, but we can’t go by old biases about Korean cars being substandard anymore, or that they merely sell on price. Truly, they’ve proven, through Hyundai and Kia at least, that Korean-branded cars are every bit as good as Japanese, not to mention domestic and entry-level European, and in many cases better. The Soul combines a lot of style, if you’re into this sort of thing, with European-like road manners, a surprising assortment of features, and a feeling of quality that shames some of the others. Everything about this little car feels solid and substantial, not like a BMW or even a Hyundai Genesis, but for its entry-level compact thingamabox class, it’s very good.

As a daily commuter the Soul provides a nice tall ride height for a good view of the road,

The most recent manual-equipped Soul tester... (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

comfortable seats, front and back, and a reasonably cushioning ride. A meaty steering wheel, replete with high-quality audio, cruise, phone, etc buttons, feels good in the fingers and palms, and connects to one of the tightest turning circles I’ve experienced in recent years. Yes, it’s a front wheel drive car, tight radii not normally the forte of this configuration, but nevertheless it’s wonderfully maneuverable in confined spaces.

A five-speed manual transmission comes standard, and it’s easy to shift while the clutch is almost effortless. The majority of my testing was done with four-speed automatic equipped cars, and while I’d prefer the DIY gearbox when the road starts to wind, the auto was highly suited to city driving.

Two

A great interior! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

engines are offered, a 1.6L four-cylinder with 122hp at 6,300 rpm and 115 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm, or as tested a 2.0L with 142hp at 6,000 rpm and 137 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. The former is extremely thrifty, a manual-shift only model that achieves an estimated 7.7L/100km in the city and 6.3L/100km on the highway, while the 2.0L is quite good too with a rating of 8.6L/100km in the city and 6.5 on the highway, while both use regular fuel. The larger engine offers a good compromise, as it moves along well thanks to the car’s relatively lightweight mass of weight 1,285 kilos (2,833 lbs) with the manual or 1,295 kg (2,855 lbs) with the auto. The base 1.6L Soul weighs a slight 1,190 kg (2,624 lbs).

Soul

Or a more toned down version. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

is available in five trim levels in Canada, including base Soul, which only offers air conditioning as a $1,000 option, plus the 2u, 4u, 4u Retro, and 4u Burner. The base 1.6L car comes standard with heated power mirrors, power windows with automatic driver's down, power locks, heated black cloth seats, a tilt steering column, body-colour exterior door handles, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, external temperature gauge, a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with aux input and steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth connectivity, rear cargo under-floor storage tray, anti-whiplash active front head restraints, variable intermittent wipers, a rear washer/wiper, and 15-inch steel wheels with covers wrapped with P195/65R15 all-season tires.

The

Cool centre stack houses an awesome stereo. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

2u gets 16-inch alloy wheels with P205/55R16 all-season rubber, standard air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, dash-mounted tweeter speakers for the stereo, driver's seat height adjustment and a cool "Soul" pattern embroidered into the seat inserts, privacy glass, a cargo net, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction and stability control, roof rails, and three 12-volt power outlets. The optional automatic transmission comes with a driver's seat armrest, and I have to say I missed not having one there with my manual-equipped tester.

The 4u, which is how all the cars I tried out were outfitted, adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power glass sunroof, metallic interior accents, a premium audio upgrade with a subwoofer,

Mood speakers are totally original and kind of fun! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Sirius satellite radio and front door-mounted LED mood speakers (rear seat occupants don’t get a light show with the music unfortunately… and don’t worry as you can turn these off if you want), plus fog lamps, chrome exterior door handles, and a sport-tuned suspension (helpful on the track) with 18-inch alloy wheels on P225/45R18 all-season tires.

And for PT Cruiser fans lamenting the loss of the their ‘50s-style ride, the Soul can be had as a 4u Retro, which adds a hounds-tooth pattern to the seat inserts plus two-tone black and beige dash and door trim.

The 4u Burner is for sportier eco-box fans, and adds front and rear "Burner" style bumpers, "Eyeline" front turn signals, a rear spoiler, red seat inserts, and

Total connectivity! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

two-tone red and black dash and door trim to the 4u package.

Along with the “Most Exciting Cars of 2010” list the Soul has managed to pick up a couple of additional awards. One has it named to the “Top 10 Back-to-School Cars” list by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, and the other not really an award but more of a reward for good design as it was dubbed a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) thanks to dual front, dual front-side thorax, plus front and back side-curtain airbags, as well as standard ABS. Another bonus is Kia’s five-year or 100,000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Occupants

Space galore... the Soul won't disappoint if you've got a big load. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

won’t only be kept safe, but comfortable too. There’s loads of room inside, despite the small exterior dimensions measuring 4,105 mm (161.6 in) long and 1,785 mm (70.3 in) wide, although its 1,610 mm (63.4 in) height translates into terrific headroom. What’s more, there’s plenty of cargo room at 546 litres (19.3 cu ft) with the rear seats upright and 1,511 litres (53.4 cu ft) with them folded flat.

After a number of weeks with the Soul in various configurations, driving in different areas with unique conditions, I must admit I’m sold on the car and the general premise of this type of econobox. Yes, the word econobox seems a lot more fitting with this new squared off class than it does for the small hatchbacks normally referred to, and likewise these strange contraptions fit my lifestyle a heck of a lot better. Truly, if you’re looking for a small, thrifty runabout but don’t want the usual compact car, the Soul is a great alternative.

Every once in a while, a car comes along that sparks the interest of the masses. I’m not talking about the kind of spark that occurs when a new Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti or Lamborghini is introduced.

The Soul's bold, funky exterior lines were penned in Southern California and are basically unchanged from concept to production. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Heck, with these cars there's more than just a spark, there are fireworks! Rather, I’m talking about an everyday car that is unique, cool-looking, gadget-loaded and funky on the inside and out. Not to mention affordable. And while car manufacturers would like this to be the case with every one of their vehicles, it’s more the exception than the rule. But ever since the Kia Soul concept graced the floors of the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2008, the buzz flying around this vehicle has been audible in all corners of the automotive realm.

From its ‘concept’-ion to the time it hit the streets earlier this year, the exterior remains the same on the all-new Soul. Designed in Southern California, the Soul gives this Korean car manufacturer a new weapon in the box-mobile segment of the automotive market. Look out Nissan cube and Scion xB, there is a new Soul in the competition! Not only does it have a fresh new face, it also has lots of people-room inside and cargo space to boot; 546 L (19.3 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded up. Did I mention it’s cool-looking, too?!

A variety of patterns are available for the upholstery on the comfortable seats. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

While some may not agree with me on that statement, you can’t help but stare at the Soul, especially when it comes in such vivacious colours as Vanilla Shake, Mint, Lava, Titanium and Molten. And for additional attention getting, the Soul can be customized to fit your style and personality with over sixty different accessories including body decals, colour-coordinated shift knobs and more.

The crisp, clean and bold lines are very much apparent not only on the outside but on the inside, too. Kia has definitely spiced things up in the cabin. Some nice added touches included body-coloured lining in the storage compartment, on the dash and in the glove box. I love red, or Molten I should say, so the more of it, the better. Plus it gives the cabin even more pizzazz and adds to the overall fun feeling when behind the wheel.

Hot flash! The speakers emanate musically-driven, pulsating light or steady mood lighting. And yes, you can switch them off, too. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The seats in my test car also came with their own special flair, being draped in the “Soul Cloth” upholstery which gave the interior even more character while being quite comfortable to sit in. Not to mention all trim models come with heated seats! Yes, you read that right, heated seats in base models too. Amazing.

My favourite, and probably the most notable, feature of the Soul is the stereo system with the LED mood lamp speakers attached to the 315-watt, eight-speaker, AM/FM/CD/MP3 head unit. This feature comes standard on all the 4u models. The multi-mode speaker lamp control is located just under the right side of the multi-function steering wheel and can be adjusted to four different settings; on, mood, music or off. I had the speakers on the “music” feature, as this way the lights pulse along with the rhythm of the song. I felt like I was in a disco when driving to and from work, since I had the available Sirius satellite radio pumping out the techno beats through the rockin’ audio system.

From every angle, the Soul exudes a whimsical practicality. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Although this feature serves no other purpose than simply being cool, I loved it! My passengers did too.

I also loved the Soul's driving characteristics. Although it looks like a box-on-wheels, it doesn’t drive like one. The steel unibody construction feels sturdy yet still allows for a lot of agility. Its sport-tuned suspension and a grippy set of P225/45R18 tires with 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels give it the freedom to zip in and out of turns with ease, and with a smile on my face! And thanks to the power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering, maneuvering in the Soul is a breeze. Standard features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS) and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS also make it just that much more fun and safe to drive.

The driving force behind the Soul 4u is a 2.0L, 16-valve, DOHC, inline-four engine which produces 142 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 137 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. There is also a 1.6L engine available in the base model.

Colour-coordinated glovebox and cubby interiors add a touch of pizzazz and surprise to the interior. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The 2.0L engine can be mated with either the standard 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. The standard transmission, along with a soft clutch, makes for an agreeable driving combination whether stuck in city traffic or just cruising along. The Soul is by no means a difficult car to drive, and it has that youthful personality which feels lively but nevertheless in control.

I did, however, notice with the 5-speed manual in my test car that when shifting from second or fourth into neutral, the gearshift lever could be a little sticky.

The interior is infused with a sense of fun, but it's also a functional space, with instruments and controls laid out in logical fashion. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I’m guessing this was because the car only had a few kilometers on it and still needing breaking in, but it took a little more jostling than expected to get it where I wanted it to go. Shifting from first, third or fifth into neutral wasn’t a problem.

A very appealing characteristic of the Soul is its fuel economy. With the 5-speed manual transmission it uses an estimated 8.6L/100km in the city and 6.5L on the highway. Deemed an Ultra-Low-Emissions-Vehicle (ULEV-II), this Soul is good to Mother Nature, as well as the pocket book. Another appealing characteristic of the Soul is that it’s not necessary to sell your soul to buy a Soul!!

60/40 folding seats offer cargo space flexibility. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Okay, I’ll stop with the puns. The base Kia Soul starts at an MSRP of $15,495 (plus taxes, freight and PDI). The Soul 4u has a price tag of $19,995 (plus taxes, freight and PDI), which is pretty amazing considering how much you get for under $20K. The top of the line Soul 4u Burner is only $1K more. Plus all Souls come with a 60-month, 100,000km comprehensive warranty and a 60-month, 100,000km powertrain warranty, so Kia has you covered.

I’m not surprised that when I asked the manager of a Kia dealership how many Souls they’ve sold since they hit the lot, the answer was all of them! The dealer even has a hard time keeping them in stock, which is of course a great thing in an otherwise slow economy! The 2010 Soul is not only a super value, but a fun car to drive. For some additional Soul searching, visit www.kia.ca. (Sorry, I just had to add that last pun!)

So what do you think of Kia's new Soul? Great name, no? I saw the production version in São Paulo, Brazil, at the largest

Kia will customize its Soul, as shown here at the São Paulo Auto Show. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

auto show in the South American region last month, and the Soul was a major hit there, as the concept was when I watched it roll onto the Kia stage in Frankfurt the year before, and Detroit's North American International Auto Show in 2006, where I took in its official debut. 

Hardly changed from concept form, it's really the ideal car for the current market situation. Compact, yet extremely roomy inside for five in comfort, with a little luggage to boot, thrifty on fuel yet apparently sporty enough to be enjoyable on the open road, and extremely stylish in its cubic configuration. Still, it's unfair to dub it a “cube” as it's more gracefully penned than the Nissan that goes by that boxy name, and much more alluring than the Scion XBOX… er… xB, or Honda's rather odd Element. No, while totally cool in its own right, I think that the Soul will attract a wide range of buyers from all over the spectrum, and not just among the young and hip crowd. It makes sense, really. The same attributes that make a vehicle attractive to ski and surf minded

Here is Kia's Soul Concept rolling across the stage during the LA media days in 2007. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

young adults make it ideal for empty nesters hitting the nursery (horticultural nursery… of course) on weekends or picking up the grandkids for a day at the cottage.

“The Soul is for those who love individuality but don't like to be categorized by finding the next best thing,” offered Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA.  “Indicative of the new design direction of KMA, Soul is an attractive and customizable vehicle for those looking for something with a little more personality than other vehicles on the market today.”

I've taken the opportunity to sit inside and look around at the various auto shows the Soul has shown up at, and it offers stylish seating fabrics complementing its bright, fun exterior colours, while a clean, uncluttered dash ensconces attractive three-dial instrumentation and LCD illumination. A stylish floating centre

Cool looking Soul lives up to its name. (Photo: Kia)

stack design shows off a straight-forward, simple to operate HVAC system and high-grade stereo interface.

That audio system gets an AM/FM/CD/MP3 head unit enhanced with satellite radio, plus USB input jacks can be found in the centre stack with full iPod controllability through the stereo or via the steering wheel controls. Now, that's what I like. Even better, an Audio Upgrade Package can be had on top-trim levels that adds a centre speaker, a subwoofer and a 315-watt external amplifier. Ooh, I like this even more. Good audio is the way to my heart, and pocketbook, unfortunately.

The more powerful stereo can only be had in the two nicest trim levels, Soul! and Soul

Upright rear profile allows for great stowage space. (Photo: Kia)

sport (lower case intentional). The little compact people mover is available in two other trims too, mind you, the base model simply designated Soul and the second-rung version Soul+. Even in base guise it gets plenty of standard features, including black door handles and side mirrors, body-coloured bumpers, a rear wiper/washer and 15-inch steel wheels wrapped in P195/65R15 tires. Not a bad start. A little more money will get you a Soul+, which adds keyless remote entry, solar glass, privacy glass on the rear side and rear windows, body-colour handles and power side mirrors along with 16-inch alloy rims covered in P205/55R16 rubber. The Soul+ also boasts standard air conditioning, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and tweeter speakers to enhance the stereo's sound. Soul+ buyers can opt for an audio upgrade package, a

Message boards and forums are filled with people wanting to get their hands on the first Souls to hit Kia dealers. (Photo: Kia)

power moonroof and floor mats that are standard on the Soul! Additionally, that third-rung Soul! gets fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels riding on P225/45R18 tires, plus it benefits from a special beige and black interior with cloth seats and metal-finish accents. The abovementioned audio option can be added on, and is also extra with the Soul sport which additionally ups the ante with a sport-tuned suspension, metal foot pedals, red and black interior trim with sport cloth seats and metal-finish accents throughout, extended side sills, a rear spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels and unique front and rear fascias. It's the ultimate in Korean Soul.

I mentioned that it seats five, which is hardly unusual, but Kia's put together a truly flexible seating and storage system that should intrigue buyers. The seats fold in a variety of ways for optimizing people and cargo carrying duties,

Kia serves up a fresh and unique interior design... (Photo: Kia)

the rearmost split 60/40, while the car features fourteen “storage zones” for stowing all of your knickknacks.

Kia introduced the Soul to North America at the Los Angeles auto show, not far from where it was initially designed, and again it stole the hearts of show goers. The metallic green colour chosen for the photo release that preceded its LA intro is more subdued than Kia has shown other markets, although it is expected a full palette will be available wherever it is sold.

While it was previously reported that the North American Soul would deliver more power than the base models of other markets with only the 140+horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder being offered, fuel efficiency has been given top priority and a 120-horsepower 1.6-litre four will be the standard engine in the base five-speed manual-equipped model. Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport

.... with the sport model cool enough to rival a Mini Cooper. (Photo: Kia)

models will get the peppier powerplant, which should also deliver thrifty mileage in the neighbourhood of 7.8 L/100 km (30 mpg). Additionally, a five-speed manual will be standard equipment, with a four-speed automatic optional. I've tried similar powertrain combinations in other Kia models, and the 2.0-litre makes for sporty performance and thrifty fuel economy, while the latter should be more than adequate for those more price sensitive.

Rather than build the Soul on an existing platform, Kia has developed an all-new front-drive architecture with an especially long wheelbase for optimizing interior room. It measures 2,550 mm (100.4 inches) wheel to wheel, while the entire car stretches 4,105 mm (161.6 inches) in length. It's also 1,786 mm (70.3 inches) wide and 1,610 mm (63.4 inches) tall.

With a long wheelbase, the concern would always be torsional rigidity, or the lack thereof. Kia offset this problem with more than seventy-percent high-tensile steel, for maintaining overall structural strength without adding weight,

No problem getting connected in the Soul. (Photo: Kia)

so the handling, ride quality and overall refinement is good, as is crash worthiness.

Such safety concerns can be left curbside as over and above its rigid body structure the Soul will be well prepared for any potential accident. Each model, regardless of trim level gets front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).  What's more, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), and rear discs are standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport models. The base Soul gets drums.

A car's handling, making it capable of avoiding an accident in the first place, can often be its most important safety consideration. On that note, the Soul mounts a fully independent suspension setup on a front sub-frame, with MacPherson struts and coil springs that should deliver good response to steering

Loads of room for people and cargo... it's the ideal car for our economically challenged age. (Photo: Kia)

input. In the rear, a sub-frame is the basis for a transverse torsion beam axle with trailing arms, optimizing ride quality and maximizing the cargo area.

Hauling things in mind, Kia will offer a number of OEM-backed add-ons available at the dealer level so that Soul customers can personalize their vehicles. Items include the usual stuff that a Scion dealer would offer its xB customers, such as aerodynamic body kits and exterior garnishes that Kia calls Soul Essentials, plus roof rails, an exterior cargo box, two different bike carriers, a ski rack, various floor mats, a cargo mat, car net, trailer hitch, sunroof visor, and many more typical accessory items. But then there are a few oddities like an SUV-like roof-top basket, like something off of Land Rover Defender, a stylish red and silver engine shroud, a B-pillar appliqué, and body decals. Performance accessories can be had from the dealer level too, such as anti-sway bars, lowering springs, a cold air intake system, chromed cat back exhaust system, billet aluminum oil cap, aluminum fuel door, a set of aluminum foot pedals, and wheels of course, in silver and black plus red and black designs. The accessories shown are exclusive to Canada, although other markets should get similar options.

The Soul is expected to arrive in Kia dealerships across the country in the spring of 2009, with the South Korean brand hoping to attract an entirely new type of customer, in similar fashion to how Toyota widened its reach with Scion. Expect to see a lot of Souls on the streets next year, as it's the right kind of car for the times, combining great styling, endless personalization options, excellent fuel economy and no shortage of interior room for all your gear, all for a price that is bound to lure in would-be buyers.

Preliminary Specifications (2010 Kia Soul):

• Body Type: 5-door liftback
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Base Engine (est.): 120-hp, 115 lb-ft of torque, 1.6L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
• Opt. Engine (est.): 140-hp, 136 lb-ft of torque, 2.0L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
• Transmission: 5-spd manual (opt. 4-spd auto)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum (opt. disc/disc ABS, EBD, traction and stability control)
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,105 / 1,786 / 1,610 / 2,550 mm (161.6 / 70.3 / 63.4 / 100.4 in)
• Curb Weight (est.): 1,428 kg (3,150 lbs)
• Tires: P195/65R15 (opt. P205/55R16; P225/45R18)
• Capacity (trunk/folded): TBA
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): TBA
• Warranty (mo/km): 60/100,000 comprehensive
• Competitors: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Element, Mazda5, Nissan Cube, Scion xB
• Website: www.kia.ca