Will You Embrace The Kia Soul?

When the Kia Soul makes its debut, buyers will have the ability to customize their rides thanks to a variety of from the factory and aftermarket decal options including the one pictured here.

Young drivers have been flocking to Scion ever since Toyota introduced their fleet of youth oriented people movers earlier in the decade. Along with the Honda Element and the newly released Nissan Cube, these models have been embraced by drivers who love their value, room and creature features.

Kia, the Korean automaker, has until now hasn’t fielded a car that has been widely desired by new drivers. True, the Elantra and the Rio have sold fairly well, but neither model has that distinctive look, that special feel that generates buzz and attracts young buyers.

This Spring, the all new 2010 Kia Soul will make its debut, a five passenger mobile box that Kia believes will finally win the hearts of college aged drivers. This past November I was present at the car’s unveiling at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show and, like so many others who were there, was wowed by the Soul’s design. Now I’ve been wowed by its starting price.

There is nothing plain about the Soul's interior. Lots of room, many of the technological and safety features you crave are built right in, and the style is sure to please most young drivers.

According to published reports, including Autoblog, the base model Soul will retail for just $13,995, a price that includes destination charges. That base model will be well equipped, and will feature a 122 horsepower 1.6L four-cylinder engine, ABS, electronic stability control, six airbags, air conditioning, an audio system featuring CD, MP3 (USB and AUX inputs) and Sirius Satellite radio, as well as power windows and locks.

Option packages will add one to three thousand dollars to the price, but even the most well equipped Kia Soul should still roll off of showroom floors for under $20,000, well within the budget of what many new grads as well as current college students can afford.

The first Souls are expected to appear in Kia showrooms in March with some 50,000 units earmarked for the U.S. Market. Clearly, Kia has raised the bar by lowering the entry level price for a youth oriented vehicle, the sort of good news that first time car buyers love to hear.

Adv. — For more information about new cars, visit Autos Express. Check out Auto Purchase Loans for details on how to finance your new car purchase.

Photos Courtesy: Auto Trends

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•