MSRP: $14,900 (base); as tested: $26,195

Soul stems from the "Appliance Moderne" school of automotive styling. Members of this class (Soul, Nissan Cube, Scion xB), are notable for their angular, function-over-form styling.

Basically, if a washing machine married a chest freezer, this what their children would look like. Boxy shapes are practical, designed as they are for holding things. Despite their small footprints, cars like this Kia belie their size, with room for people and cargo.

Soul has the most style of the Moderne trio. That sounds like a backhanded compliment, because the other two members are trying consciously not to be stylish. But, Soul is undeniably cool looking; cute, but not so much as to eliminate guys from the pool of potential buyers. Introduced in the states in 2010, Soul is redesigned this year. You'd have to look at old and new side by side to see the changes, but that's a good thing in my eyes, as they didn't mess with something that was working for them.

The latest edition draws some inspiration from Kia's 2012 Trak'ster concept car. The car's designer likens the look to that of a bulldog. That's interesting, because it's the exact, same description that MINI's stylists invoked, when the new generation Cooper appeared in 2002. Bulldogs, it seems, never go out of style.

The tale of the tape shows only minor differences in the car's dimensions vs. last year. Soul 2014 is wider, lower and has a longer wheelbase, but only slightly so (less than an inch, in each case). As before, three trim levels are available: Soul (MSRP: $14,900), Soul+ ($18,400) and Soul! ($20,500).

Powertrain choices are the same as in the previous edition, though power output has changed. A 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine is standard on base versions. It's rated at 130 h.p. (formerly 138) and 118 lb. ft. of torque (formerly 123). The 1.6 is linked to a six-speed manual transmission. Switching to a six-speed automatic adds $2,000 to the bottom line. Soul+ and Soul! models get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 164 h.p. and 151 lb. ft. of torque (formerly 148), and it's automatic only for your gear changer.

My latest Soul test drive was in an "Exclaim" model, with the 2.0L four. So equipped, the Soul is snappy from a stop light and has decent overall acceleration (0-60 = high 8 second range). The engine is loud when you lay into it, though it calms down at cruising speed. EPA estimates fuel economy for the 2.0L at 23 city/31 highway/26 combined. Keeping up with traffic on the Mass Pike, my Soul registered just over 30 mpg's, while averaging 27 overall for the week. Kia also offers an Eco package with idle stop/start and low rolling resistance tires. Eco-equipped cars are expected to add 1 mpg to their city mileage rating.

Chassis changes are part of this year's upgrades. All Soul models are front-wheel-drive, and Kia has improved torsional rigidity by almost 29% over the outgoing model. While handling stops short of sporty, Soul is nimble, and its park-it-anywhere dimensions make for easy maneuverability. Visibility is good, save the 3/4 rear blind spots created by the thick c-pillars. The car's upright profile calls for added attention when driving in high winds. Ride quality is generally good, though note that the larger wheel and tire packages on some Soul models ride harder than the smaller combos do.

Improved materials quality boosts Soul's cabin appeal. Designers borrow the circular theme found in the Trak'ster concept and use it liberally throughout the interior. A new, panoramic moon roof can be had as part of several option packages. Power it back and the sheer size of the open space lends a welcome, wide open feel inside. The pop-up wind blocker does a good job of scouring out wind buffeting. Also new are expanded infotainment options via Kia's Uvo interface. Nav equipped models feature an 8-inch touchscreen. The screen size is both large and legible, and the system is easy to, uh, navigate. Front cabin storage spots are plentiful, if small. One gripe that I've had since the first Soul remains unanswered in the newest edition. The lid for the storage console on the center console doubles as an inside arm rest. It would fit more people, if it adjusted fore and aft.

Soul's square shouldered lines pay dividends on the inside for people or parcels. Adults fit comfortably in either row. Kia has engineered in some additional cargo capacity for 2014. Storage space behind the rear seats measures 24.2 cu. ft., expandable to 61.3 cu. ft. That's up from 19.3-53.4 cubic feet in the outgoing model, and large for the class, by any measure. Split, rear seats fold nearly flat, and the liftover height is manageably low.

I continue to like Soul as a small car choice. Combining fun, function and cool styling, Kia's built a better box.
