Red lower body highlights and thin-spoked wheels indicate this is the new turbocharged Soul !. Though not evident due to the tall body sides, large windows provide excellent outward visibility.
Enough angles and curves that the Soul isn't just a boring box like the second-gen Scion xB. A lot of design. Too much? I personally don't care for the black bands around the wheel openings.
Bonus shot of the Kia Soul from the front quarter because I like how it came out. A short length and tall height make for challenging proportions. Kia has done better than others.
The second-generation Soul got much larger tail lamps. Too large? Fender bulges from the Bentley Bentayga, in case it's not clear the Countryman is a crossover.
Much more style than in the typical inexpensive car, but less than in the Mini. Better want black. A lot of design inside the Mini. Better materials and build quality than in past Minis.
Orange stitching and houndstooth cloth successfully sportify the otherwise all-black interior. Compact instrument cluster highlights the bland depth of the instrument panel. Vast expanse of gray.
Controls are easy to find and operate, but look and feel pedestrian. Mini's controls have always helped make the driving experience special. Now with decent ergonomics.
Comfortable and supportive seat in an attractive houndstooth cloth. Plenty of room for heads and legs in back.
Merely adequate cargo space behind the back seat. Additional space beneath the floor, though. Folding the Soul's rear seat greatly expands its cargo capacity.
Very good if not great performance and fuel economy from the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. More cleanly designed than the typical current engine compartment.