2012 Kia Soul

When the Soul showed up on the scene in 2010, it definitely made waves. Thanks in part to a successful Super Bowl television ad, the Soul secured its spot in the boxy-car trifecta along with the Nissan Cube and the Scion xB. Nifty, funky, and quirky are all words that can describe this car's styling. Big, buggy headlights and a squared-off, swept-back design give the Soul a sportier look than its competition. Bold exterior looks are only accented by wacky-but-appealing paint options, including moss, a new color this year. Inside, an all-new 350-watt seven-speaker Infinity audio system is optional on Soul+ models and standard on Soul! models. As before, there are lights in the door-mounted speakers that can flash in time with the music. The Soul! has a voice-activated infotainment system with a 4.3-inch color touch screen and a rear camera display. The two four-cylinder engines now make more power. The 1.6-liter, paired with a six-speed manual, produces 138 hp, a thirteen-percent increase over the previous engine. Not enough? A new 2.0-liter pumps out 164 hp, a sixteen-percent increase over the previous engine, and 148 lb-ft of torque. It's available with either the six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The larger engine is standard on Soul+ and Soul! models. If flower power is more appealing to you than horsepower, there is an available eco package, which features Intelligent Stop and Go technology and an Active Eco system for optimal fuel-efficient driving.