2013 KIA Soul

The 2013 Soul is Kia's boxy little hatchback, the one that made the brand cool with its upright stance and tall roof. It drives with a light, nimble feel that makes city parking and tight turns easy, though the ride gets busy on rough pavement. Inside, the Soul's tall cabin gives you a commanding view and plenty of headroom, and even the base model has Bluetooth and a USB input. The hatch opens wide for loading, but the cargo area is modest, and there's no spare tire unless you buy one separately. The Soul is the base trim, the one you pick if you want the boxy look and tall cabin without spending more; the pricier Plus and Exclaim add extra features and a more powerful engine. Its 2.0L I4 makes 164 horsepower and pairs with the six-speed automatic, which gives it enough punch for around-town driving but feels strained on steep highway grades. The base Soul rides on 16-inch steel wheels and has a firmer suspension than the higher trims, so you'll feel more road texture, especially over broken pavement.