When KIA first came to Australia, they were a manufacturer where you sure to get a good quality, low cost car, that was perhaps a little standard around the edges. Not too many bells and whistles, great cars but nothing “designer” about them. Well those days are well and truly over.

First it was the KIA Cerato, which was launched here in March this year. A very good looking and European-looking mid-size car, that has been very popular with families and couples.

Next out the new look KIA stable is the KIA Soul. Having arrived at Col Crawford this week, it is causing quite the stir, it definitely different, some say it looks like a compact Jeep, others say it’s a cross between a MINI and SUV – but we all agree it’s a fantastic car that will have wide appeal.

I can see the young surfies putting the board in the back and heading to the beach, the trendy young things loving all the multimedia stuff or it being a great car to escape the city.

The KIA Soul’s has oodles of cool stuff, such as the mood lighting that you can set to change to the beat of your music! Deck it out any way you like, there are heaps of exterior and interior colours to choose from, even body tattoos to make it uniquely yours plus a huge range of customization kits. So as they ad says – no 2 Souls will be the same!

Manly daily journalist, Amanda Davey, reviewed the Soul, click here to read her experience.