You know what I've been doing all last week? TESTING THE NEW 2014 KIA SOUL!!!!!!! I can't believe that I'm now testing out cars- what a amazing experience the girls and I had going on adventures in the Kia Soul! THIS CAR ROCKS! I had heads turning and mouths dropping while this hot red inferno was cruising the streets!
I'll be honest, when I first found out what I was going to be driving for the next 7 days last week, I was a bit disappointed because I thought the Kia Soul would be too small for a family of 4. Once the car was delivered to me, my assumptions about the car went quickly out the door after seeing how roomy it is. Mr. M, the girls, and I all had enough room space without feeling like we were bunched in.
I felt instantly comfortable while driving the car. The premium black leather seats are high quality, soft, and luxurious- even the steering wheel is covered in leather that is soft and helps your hands to have a good grip to it.
No worrying about hot days and your body sticking to the seats, all seats including the backseats has a cooling system, even the steering wheel- nice!
After checking out the inside of the car, the next important place for me to check out is the trunk. I'm a frequent shopper at Costco and you know all their products are in bulk and large in size.
Unfortunately, the trunk is not large enough for me. But the good thing is the back seats folds down if I have large items, it's just that I can't have my girls along for the ride with me. Another good thing is that the trunk has a piece on the floor that you can lift up and has more storage space there with organized departments.
Now the fun part! This car was fully loaded to the max- it had the whole shabang! Everything that you can think of, this car had!
The 2014 Kia Soul included:
- Panoramic Sunroof with Power Sunshade
- Infinity Audio System
- Speaker Lights
- Voice-Command Navigation with 8" Display & HD Radio
- Automatic Climate Control with Cluster Ionizer
- HID Projector Beam Headlights with Auto-Leveling
- Led Positioning Lights and Tail Lights
- Supervision Meter Cluster with Color LCD Display
- Leather Seat Trim
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Front and Rear Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Keyless Entry and Start
- Rear Camera
- Power Folding Outside Mirrors
- UVO eServices
So many different functions that this car includes that I was so overwhelmed trying to figure out all of it. This car makes you feel like a kid on Christmas Day, opening and playing with all of their new toys from Santa!
The best feature I love about this car is the whole navigation system along with the HD Radio. The minute you add a location in the navigation system, it stores it forever- no longer will you need to repeat a address you have already used. From my understanding, you can have up to 250 locations saved on there. Another great feature is while you're using the navigation system, on the screen it displays restaurants, gas stations, lodging nearby.
If you're in the driver's seat and you have a passenger playing with the radio while you're getting directions from the navigation system, the dashboard also displays the destination directions.
The steering wheel has buttons that you can also control the navigation system, bluetooth, radio, and more.
Wondering how the Kia Soul updates its system? There is a piece above the 3:38 clock on the navigation picture below that you pull out and attach it to your computer while on Kia's website to do the download. No need to go to a Kia dealership for a system update. 
And another thing, this car has no CD player since CD's has been played out years ago! Well, I must be ancient because I still listen to CD's in my own car since I haven't turned on my satellite radio in it yet, but after being in this car, I need to turn it on quick, fast, and in a hurry!
No wonder those hamsters in the Kia commercials were jamming in their Kia Soul, sound quality is outstanding and there is plenty of different variety of musics to rock out to.
The rear camera was a very helpful feature because there was a couple of times I didn't see someone was behind me when I was backing up. I think this feature should be in all future cars to help prevent accidents.
The Kia Soul is amazing on gas! I only filled up once at the end of the week after doing a lot of inner-city driving and some short distance highway driving. (23 city/31 highway mpg) The car drives well although you do feel every bump in the road but I didn't mind that at all.
You want to know where I took this baby to? Here are some highlights of the girls and I fun adventures!
INK MUSEUM
First stop on our Kia Soul adventure, we went to The INK Museum in Gainesville, GA. It is a interactive neighborhood for children. The museum helps kids learn hands on about every day life like going to the doctor, grocery shopping, school, and so on.
IKEA EVENT
Towards the end of the week, we headed to the #IKEACataLove IKEA event to learn about their new catalog and what new home decor is now available this season. More details about the event coming soon and $100 giveaway, stay tune!
Doctor Appointment
The following day after the IKEA event, the girls had doctor appointments for their annual checkup. By the looks on Michelle's face, it didn't go very well. She cried because she gotten her finger pricked. Poor baby! Lauren had a better experience. Both girls are growing well and are healthy, they are ready to begin a new school year in a week.
On our last day with the Kia Soul, we went to check out the Nutella Truck Tour Event but couldn't find the food truck, so we left and started doing some back to school shopping at our local mall. Boy was the mall crowded with people, and boy is my pocketbook hurting- sheesh!
This car was definitely hard to let go. I felt like the star of the show everywhere I drove to. People would stop what they were doing and check the car out and see who was the person behind the wheel. Although I only had the car for only a week, it felt like apart of my car family because I grew accustom to it quickly.
For such a inexpensive car, I felt like I was driving a $50,000 car. My only complaint about this car would be the small trunk. I give this car a star rating of 4 1/2 stars out of 5.
To me, this car would be prefect for a college student, a couple, a single person, a family with 1 or 2 middle aged children that doesn't transport a lot of cargo.
Goodbye Kia Soul, you will be dearly missed!
Back to School Shopping
On our last day with the Kia Soul, we went to check out the Nutella Truck Tour Event but couldn't find the food truck, so we left and started doing some back to school shopping at our local mall. Boy was the mall crowded with people, and boy is my pocketbook hurting- sheesh!
This car was definitely hard to let go. I felt like the star of the show everywhere I drove to. People would stop what they were doing and check the car out and see who was the person behind the wheel. Although I only had the car for only a week, it felt like apart of my car family because I grew accustom to it quickly.
For such a inexpensive car, I felt like I was driving a $50,000 car. My only complaint about this car would be the small trunk. I give this car a star rating of 4 1/2 stars out of 5.
To me, this car would be prefect for a college student, a couple, a single person, a family with 1 or 2 middle aged children that doesn't transport a lot of cargo.
Goodbye Kia Soul, you will be dearly missed!
Have you ever driven the Kia Soul before?
Disclosure- DriveSTI provided a car for me to test and review, I was not compensated and all opinions are my own.
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Kia is definitely changing its presence among the competition. The cars now offer more options and a sleeker appearance without breaking the bank. It's good to know that they offer a roomy driving experience.
ReplyDeleteYeah I was thinking the same thing. Those other car companies better watch out because Kia is running the game now! I see a lot more Kia's on the road now and now I see why.
DeleteI love the cooling system for the seats and steering wheel! I so need that in Louisiana! I use to drive a Kia Rio and while I like the car, it was too small. It's nice to see that the Kia Soul is larger.
ReplyDeleteI remember the Kia Rio, that car is way too small and that is probably why Kia doesn't make them anymore.
DeleteCool! A neighbor has a Kia Soul, though it's not that gorgeous bright red head-turner that you got to drive. Really great review - you covered it well!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Susan! I bet your neighbor's Kia Soul is just as nice as the one I got to drive.
DeleteI've never driven one. It does look like a Zippy Car.. which they are fun.. Can't drive a box car... but I can drive a zippy car.
ReplyDeleteThis car does have a lot of pep in its step! You would really enjoy this car Aimee although it is shaped like a box.
DeleteThis sounds amazing. The price is great too. I bet this was an awesome experience.
ReplyDeleteThis was the best experience in my blogging review career Victoria! I'll be reviewing more cars soon.
DeleteThat car looked amazing and I can't believe all the stuff that comes with it for that price! Unfortunately, it would be too small for me with 3 kids, one of whom is still in a bulky car seat.
ReplyDeleteYeah it would be too small for your family Amy.
DeleteLooks like you had a blast! Scotty was sitting onmy lap as I scrolled through this post, and he goes, "Hamster car!!!" He is in LOVE with those commercials -- especially the one when the hamsters ride off into space after performing on stage! lol
ReplyDeleteOh how cute is Scotty! Those hamster commercials are great! Even my coworker was like, "hey, you're driving the hamster car!" LOL!
DeleteWhat a fun car! I love the red, too!
ReplyDeleteIt was a really fun car Sarah!
DeleteLooks like a fun drive! Your review is great... I really get a good feel for the car. Makes me wish I didn't need something bigger LOL
ReplyDeleteYeah it is a great car Candy but I do need something bigger. I travel a lot and need the cargo space.
DeleteYes, this definitely would be a great vehicle for road trips back and forth to college - Malik would love it. Great opportunity and once again, thanks for a great review.
ReplyDeleteMalik would definitely love this car Antionette, it would work prefect for him while in college.
DeleteAnd thanks so much for complimenting me on my review! This is my first time reviewing a car and I was nervous I wouldn't get my point across since I'm not a car guru, so your compliment really means a lot!
I like the red on it. I tote my girls around in a Kia Sportage and I have nothing but good experiences from this car company.
ReplyDeleteKia has really been on the come up! I drove a Kia Sportage on my road trip and it was a great car and great on gas.
DeleteWhat a fun car, and a great review! I loved being able to see all the details inside the Soul. It would be too small for me, too - but I loved learning all about it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Aimee! Yes it is a small car, but a fun car to drive.
DeleteWe did a test drive of the Kia Soul and loved the lit speakers. Make it fun to rock out to music!
ReplyDeleteI love those light up speakers! I went out for a drive at night several times just to rock out with those light up speakers!
DeleteOoh Louida, you lucky duck! I would love to review a car! Lord knows I need a new one! My sis is looking at buying one of these. I'll have to tell her about this.
ReplyDeleteYou can Stacie by contacting DriveSTI.
DeleteThis sounds like an awesome car. The price is affordable too. #ProductReviewParty
ReplyDeleteIt was a very awesome car Victoria!
Deletehow do i start testing products
ReplyDeletePlease visit my product testing blog post and it'll show you how to start testing products Reshar.
DeleteIt is Susie!
ReplyDelete