What is a Kia Soul?  Go ahead, try to classify it.  We’ll wait.

Is it a compact SUV?  Is it a hatchback?  Is it a CRV?  Is it a wagon?

Nobody knows for sure so don’t feel bad.  Depending on which publication you read, you may see it classified as any of the above.  Or none of them.

So let’s try a different question:  what are the best things about a Kia Soul?

Now we have a question people can instantly answer with no hesitation.

First off, it is a Kia, and that means you can count on a long list of amenities that come standard. That’s just a given when we talk about Kias.

Next, we can count on the best new car warranty on the market.  Again, a given with Kia.

You can count on high safety ratings, a roomy interior, a nice touch of funk and a very responsive engine.

The Kia Soul comes in three trim levels, the base, the + and the !.  Don’t ask!  It also comes with four doors and has seating for five.  There are two different engines offered, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 130 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission as standard, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 164 horsepower.  A six-speed automatic transmission is option with the smaller engine, and it is the only transmission available for the larger engine.

EPA estimates has the 2.0-liter engine at 26 mpg combined, and there is an Eco package that will squeeze out an extra mile on that estimate.  Having said that, this rating is lower than other compact cars and compact SUVs.

In other testing, the Kia Soul went from 0 to 60 in 8.7 seconds, an average figure for small wagons and hatchbacks.

The 2015 Soul has four-wheel antilock disc brakes, hill-start assist, stability and traction control, rearview camera and a plethora of airbags for safety.  In brake testing, the Soul stopped from 60 to 0 in 110 feet, a very good stopping score.

So, what is a Kia Soul?  Rather than answer that question, talk to Soul owners and ask them this question:  do you like your car?  Chances are excellent that you will get a resounding YES from them.

Kia replacement parts can be found at any reputable salvage yard like All Import Auto Parts.  There you can find brake parts, engine parts, body parts, anything you need to keep your Kia Soul running smoothly for many years to come.