A little bit of Soul ... and a whole lotta fun

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- The latest-generation Kia Soul is a head-turner, and maybe that's why it defies description ... or a permanent label.

Motor Trend magazine calls it a hatchback.  Numerous automotive texts call it a subcompact crossover sport-utility vehicle.  Kia calls it an urban runabout.

I call it fun.  Fun to drive.  And fun to see the reaction of folks who first focus their eyes on the Kia transporter.

My tester was the 2020 Kia Soul X-Line model. While some don't like the Soul's boxy design -- even Kia calls it unconventional --  a restyling for 2020 has incorporated fresh curves and cuts to make it an attention-grabber.  Folks walking up to my tester in parking lots had lots of questions. Most approved of the new look.

The fun factor continues inside the vehicle, with lighting options in the door panels, a kickin' audio system and state-of-the-art infotainment technologies throughout.  Yes, the Kia Soul still mixes mood lighting with music, another fun feature to be sure.

Yet for all of its cool-vibe touches, the Soul handles the basics quite well, and for me, this seals the deal on the vehicle's appeal.

A thoughtfully laid out dash is mastered quickly, with easy-to-understand controls.  With the rear seat folded, the subcompact opens wide to accept 62.1 cubic feet of cargo.  It's easy to steer, nicely responsive and offers the driver a good range of vision all around.

The 2-liter, four-cylinder engine is rated at 147 horsepower, which is more than adequate for the Soul's weight.  The engine noise is significant at full song, but my tester had enough oomph to make me feel secure on crowded city streets and dicey freeways.

Fuel mileage is very good at 27 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.  The bottom line on the tested Soul X-Line was $22,615, a most agreeable number given all that is wrapped into this reworked-for-2020 model.

Overall, this Soul that defies labeling offers buyers a combination that's not easily found in today's marketplace: uniqueness, affordability, style, technology, versatility and, oh yes, fun.