Soul Picked Based on its Fun-to-Drive and Fun-to-Own Personality
- The Soul stays cool with its fun design and technology
- Soul’s extensive list of standard features makes it a superb value
IRVINE, Calif., June 20, 2013 – Kia Motors America’s
(KMA) top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the 2013 Soul, was named to
Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under
$18,000. Chosen by the site’s editors, the 2013 Soul was celebrated for
its fun and bold design, high-tech offerings and roominess.
“The Soul, which paved the way for Kia’s design led transformation
with its fun and funky personality, quickly established a reputation as
the spunkiest car in the Kia lineup, and now KBB has recognized it as
one of the coolest vehicles on the market,” said Michael Sprague,
executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Kia has
always strived to provide customers with value, style and substance, and
the Soul fulfills that promise with an extensive roster of standard
features and unique design that has become iconic.”
The Soul placed third on Kelley Blue Book’s annual list of the
coolest cars. Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com looked for new cars
that were fun to own and drive. The Soul’s one-of-a-kind look and feel
stood out amongst its competition.
“Born in 2010 and significantly updated in 2012, the Kia Soul has
managed to keep its cool the whole time,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive
editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s
KBB.com. “Like a small cargo van with bold lines and high tech, the
Soul’s impressive standard equipment list includes Bluetooth
®1 phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod
®2 integration.”
About the 2013 SoulRefreshed
for the 2013 model year, the Soul features technology and styling
upgrades, bringing a new level of cool with enhanced power and
efficiency. New for 2013 are power-folding side mirrors, darkened chrome
around the signature grille, upgraded leather on the leather-wrapped
steering wheel, standard Bluetooth
® wireless technology with
steering wheel-mounted controls, standard steering wheel-mounted audio
controls, and cruise control. The Soul also offers Idle Stop and Go
(ISG) technology as part of the Eco Package, which senses when the
vehicle is stopped and shuts off the engine to maximize efficiency and
results in reduced engine load and less fuel consumption.
Kia’s Unprecedented GrowthKia
Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales
in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the
500,000 unit mark for the first time. With a full line of fun-to-drive
cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by
combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief
design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium
amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the
industry. Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top
100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with
seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive
in showrooms in 2013. Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more
than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S.
assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia
– which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and
supplier jobs. The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two
of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is
complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza
flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV,
Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio
5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.
About Kia Motors AmericaKia
Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors
Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of
vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and
serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA. In 2012, KMA
recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share
for the 18th consecutive year. Kia is poised to continue its momentum
and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality,
value, advanced safety features and new technologies.
About Kelley Blue BookFounded
in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle
valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both
consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most
market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website
www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested
Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are
paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle
pricing and values through various products and services available to
car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well
as governmental agencies. KBB.com provides consumer pricing and
information on cars for sale, minivans, pickup trucks, sedan, hybrids,
electric cars, and SUVs. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned
subsidiary of AutoTrader Group.
Source: Kia Media
