Someday, I’m going to have to get Kia to explain to me how they were able to take something that already looked really, really awesome, and then make it even more so. I’m talking, of course, about the 2012 Kia Soul, which got a whole new generational upgrade as far as design is concerned, but for those of us that loved the way the first-gen Soul looked, it’s kind of hard to imagine it looking any better. But it does. Oh, it most certainly does.

In Chicago, Kia Soul fans have been very supportive of the new changes, and every Waukegan dealer is anxious to get his (or her) hands on the new model in the coming months. Of course, not everybody digs the urban crossover, but those that do love really love it, so when redesigning the engineers at Kia didn’t want the Soul to lose its soul. At its heart, the vehicle still looks like itself, but there have been quite a few improvements, starting with the exterior.

What was once a pretty sporty vehicle now looks even sportier, with alterations to the grilles, lights, front bodywork, and wheels. It’s also got a new bumper and a wider overall stance, and different iterations of the model offer even more individually unique options as well.

There are four trims from which to choose—the Soul 1 and 2 (the regular trim grade options), and two “Soul Originals,” the Hunter and Quantum, that offer a few more styling perks. Any one of the gang would be enough to turn heads driving down the road, but as always, having multiple options isn’t something people have ever really complained about.

Imagine taking a hottie like Jessica Biel and finding a way to make her even more beautiful. It seems impossible, doesn’t it? What about improving those classic Boston Celtics uniforms? Not a chance. Or hey, let’s see if we can’t get the Colorado Rockies to look even more majestic and sublime! Ain’t happening. But if it could happen, wouldn’t it blow all of our minds?

It absolutely would, and when it comes to something as previously cool as the Soul getting cooler, well… consider our minds blown.

Think of somebody you know that’s completely ignorant about automobiles, and imagine spending a few days in a car together for a multi-state road trip. Your passenger has decided that, since you’re a person who knows so much about so many cars, they’d like you to educate them on different makes and models so that they can be knowledgeable in casual conversations. It would be difficult getting started, and this new learner would probably have a hard time telling apart all the different sedans, all the different SUVs, all the different crossovers.

However, there’s at least one car that they’d be able to see once and instantly recognize for the rest of their lives: the Kia Soul. There just aren’t a lot of cars that Waukegan dealers offer that have that same level of recognition. A Soul is a Soul, and you can spot it from a mile away.

Admittedly, this is a vehicle aimed more towards younger drivers, but all the customization options added to the trendy exterior design of the vehicle certainly do their job in attracting the intended demographic. With eye-grabbing paint colors like “Molten” orange and “Alien” green, there are plenty of ways to stand out in the crowd, as if the vehicle itself didn’t do enough in that regard on its own.

There are four trim options with varying levels of available features and engine types. The base comes equipped with a V4 1.6-liter engine capable of 122 hp—not staggering, more than affable for the everyday use of the car. It squeezes out 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, solid numbers for a vehicle its size, and it offers both 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions.

Chicago Kia Soul drivers most often boast about the comfortable interior and standard audio system that thumps with the best of them, and for only $13,700 (base price), you’re getting typical Kia value for a vehicle really stands out in a crowd of lookalikes and trend-followers. This one breaks the mold in a really wonderful way. It wouldn’t be hard to teach your car-ignorant friend about this particular vehicle; it’s the rest of them that really pose the challenge.

There aren’t a lot of cars on the road right now that turn as many heads as the Kia Soul. To illustrate that fact, there’s this: despite the fact that I write for a Kia blog, my wife doesn’t really know one automobile badge from another, and even though that’s the case she still can recognize a Soul from a mile away. “There’s that funky little car I like,” she says when it zooms by, and I can only smile, proud that she’s learning so much about cars.

And what a fun car to act as the cornerstone of her automotive education. Of course, in her eyes and the eyes of a lot of other people, the Soul looks like something tailor-made for twentysomethings buying their first vehicle and hoping for something hip and edgy and sporty. In truth, the Soul is a heck of a lot more than that, and it could even be classified in many ways as a family vehicle (if your family is four or fewer people in size). Chicago Kia Soul dealers obviously suggest this car often to younger buyers like the ones mentioned above, but they also find that young families discover value in the Soul as well, and that’s a good thing for one of the smoothest vehicles on the road today.

For starters, it’s got tons of cargo space. The floor in the rear is especially low for the sole purpose of fitting as much stuff back there as possible, and when you fold down the rear seats you get even more space—up to 53 cubic feet. It’s also pretty light at about 2,800 pounds, which means great things for maneuverability, and it’s also one of the safer vehicles that Round Lake Kia dealers have in their stables. Specifically, it’s received top occupant-protection ratings from both of the more credible safety agencies.

It also should be noted that the interior of the vehicle is nowhere near as edgy as the exterior; it just feels like a pretty standard passenger car cabin. In other words, it’s perfectly comfortable and perfectly normal on the inside, but on the outside you get a car that even the most ignorant car people can identify. It’s the best of both worlds, really, and it’s a big reason why the Soul is jumping up in popularity.

Do you remember Kia’s catchy commercial advertising the Soul?  The “This and That” ad campaign with those oh-so cute hamsters earned the company an advertising award in 2010 and is serving as an inspiration for a special edition model.

Soul Hamstar Edition

This catchy name plays a bit on the hamster term, buy why the switch to Hamstar?  Well, the special edition Soul has a star in the center of front hood.  Not just any old star, but one that is large and black, sure to catch the eye of other drivers and passengers you’ll encounter on your travels!

There are plenty of other great features as well.  For starters, it will come with a four-speed automatic transmission, similar to what you will find in Classic Kia’s inventory of other models of the Kia Soul, Chicago area residents can check out today.  You’ll also find other aesthetic features that further accent the star design, such as the following:

• Driver and passenger door stripes that are a black matte finish
• Black fender vents
• Fuel door that is blacked out
• Black 18-inch wheels

All these make for one exciting Soul, one that should make anyone lucky enough to get their hands on one very excited!

Other Special Edition Models

The Hamstar version isn’t the only special edition Soul that Kia has brought to the table. It joins others such as the Denim, Dragon, and Ignition that have gone out to drivers.  The Hamstar Soul won’t be here for long, but Kia promises that they will be rolling out other special edition Souls.  The company is committed to keeping the model fresh and exciting and the special models add that extra touch!  For any questions about the Hamstar, please contact your Waukegan pre-owned car dealer, Classic Kia.

We feature not only the Soul, but other new and used Kia models sure to be the perfect fit for you and your family.

The Kia Soul is a very hip auto, with a funky design and lot of very handy features, it is a great choice for a driver who craves a vehicle with a unique look.  To add to all of this, the Soul is set to come with a brand new engine choice.

Current Inventory

If you visit our store and look at the new 2010 and 2011 Soul models we have in stock, you have several engine choices.  One being the 2.0 liter, I4 and the other a 1.6 liter I4.  Both are excellent choices, the 1.6 liter offering a slight advantage in the mpg category.  With fuel prices steadily rising, a few gallons here and there can certainly make a big difference!

What’s New

Kia is upping the ante by bringing to the table the new 1.6 CRDi engine powered by diesel.  It’ll have some definite advantages to anyone lucky enough to purchase a Soul from their area Kenosha Kia dealership, Classic Kia.

A few highlights of the CRDi model include the following:

• All-aluminum design
• Fuel efficient, while at the same time adding some power to the Soul, courtesy of more torque from turbocharging technology
• Smooth and quiet ride both on busy and open road situations

Automobiles powered by diesel are more the norm in other parts of the world.  Here in the U.S, most of us have the gas-only habit that will prove to be a very hard one to break.  Perhaps a car like the Chicago Kia Soul, with a long list of reasons to buy it, will lure us into trying something something new.

Other reasons to consider the Soul

If the diesel CRDi and current gasoline engine configurations found in our inventory aren’t all you’d like to hear about, you are in luck. The Soul is a fantastic auto to own.  The automaker has options available that allow a buyer to customize their model.  Think of the color you’d always dreamed of sporting on a auto; with the Soul your dream could become a reality! 

It also comes with a slew of safety features and technology enhancements we rely on today!

Will the same thing happen to the Kia KV7 concept, which was on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit?  What are some of the features highlighted on this model?

For starters, the KV7 concept has a shape and design that builds on the popular boxy shape that makes up new and used Kia Soul models that can be found now here at your local store.  The headlight layout, while awesome to see, probably will have to be tweaked on an actual production model.  The concept’s lights are more like a row of smaller vertical lights that stretch along the grille, and the fog lights run continuously across the bottom.  Definitely cool, but will it be okayed for driving on our roadways?

Moving to the inside of the KV7, it is being described as a space that allows passengers to be very social with each other.  The seats are swiveling, including the drivers seat, in addition to a bench facing the rear seats.  The concept also comes with two computers, one in front and one in the back of the auto.  Clearly, this would be an enjoyable way to travel, but the seats we drive and are transported in will have to be safer, offer seat belts, and more. 

As we mentioned earlier in this post, the KV7 builds on the shape of the Soul, and this is easy to see.  This auto currently on display in Detroit would be a minivan style, pricing and trim information will be released when and if the concept goes into production.  There’s no doubt that it will come to fans of new and Gurnee used cars with the Kia name at an affordable price with plenty of standard features.  Stay tuned for new information on this exciting model!

The choices out there can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never purchased your own auto before.  There’s a lot to consider in addition to the sticker price such as cost to insure, maintain, resale value, and more.  Luckily, there are people who can help and with all the information available these days, these facts can help you make an educated purchase, as well as hopefully keep you from stressing out too much.

Autotropolis.com recently compared autos and came up with a list of Top Ten vehicles for first time buyers in 2010.  Lucky for Kia, the 2010 Forte, sold at your dealership that also features the Chicago Kia Soul, made the cut.  Let’s see what features make it good choice in this category!  From the looks at some of them, you get quite a bit of car for the price.  More for your money is always nice!

The MSRP for the 2010 Kia starts out at $13,695 and standard features include Bluetooth capability, USB and auxiliary jacks, as well as Kia’s EcoMinder indicator.  What this handy feature does is help you drive so that your Forte is getting its maximum fuel efficiency.  When the indicator light is green, you are getting the best possible fuel economy.  Sounds like a good reminder to make sure you’re driving in a way that will help you save money at the pump.   Speaking of fuel economy, the 2010 Forte gets amazing gas mileage: approximately 31-36 mpg for highway driving.

Moreover, the 2010 Forte comes with a really nice warranty program of a five-year/60K mile basic warranty.  If you opt for the Forte there are several trim options available such as the LX, EX, or SX.  Each of these have the option of either a manual or automatic transmission.  The model options all come standard with front wheel drive and many safety features such as front and side airbags, electronic stability control and traction control.

Based on all this, if you need something new and want to get a lot for your dollar, the 2010 Kia Forte is an excellent choice.  Come to Classic Kia today, a favorite dealership for Antioch. Used cars, as well as new models from Kia, are featured here!

A new addition to the Kia Forte lineup is in the works to hit your Gurnee used cars dealership.  The exact launch date has not been set (it will be later this year), but the new model is a 5 door hatchback that will have some great features.

There are  similarities to other Forte models, such as the same 2.0 Liter and 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engines that can be found on the Forte Koup and sedan.  The hatchback will also offer the option of a manual or automatic transmission, as opposed to the 2010 Chicago Kia Soul, which is only offered as a 5 speed manual.

The hatch back option will give the lucky owner plenty of cargo and storage space.  The 5th door will help give easy entry to store and organize luggage for trips, sporting equipment, or other hobby needs.  This is one feature that I really enjoy about hatchback models.

The Kia Hatchback, which might be called the Forte5, went on display at the New York Auto Show on April 1st.  It is an attractive looking vehicle that I think might be a big hit at your Gurnee used cars store.    The front area is very similar looking to the sedan version, but the back styling looks like the Optima’s.  Even though the model at NYC’s Auto Show isn’t 100% production complete, the design is clean and user-friendly.  Not too flashy, but nice enough to catch your eye.

The closer to the “Forte5″ comes to production and later launch at Kia dealerships, the more information we will have on pricing, upgrade features, etc.  For now, visit your local store for the newest Chicago Kia Soul, Optima, and Forte sedan, just to name a few.  Kia autos offer quality and performance, but won’t kill your wallet!  Who can argue with that??

The Kia Soul is one of the most exciting cars of 2010, racking up an incredible amount of awards from various organizations. The most recent honor comes from Motherproof.com, a site that is based on consumer opinion. The Kia Soul has been named “Best Overall Value” by these car reviewers and Chicago Kia Soul drivers could not be more pleased.

Motherproof.com evaluates cars, SUVs and minivans which reviewers deem most worthy. These reviewers consist of moms who demand vehicles with family friendly attributes including seatbelt usage and ease of entrance and exit for all passengers. This website agrees with agencies like AutoWeek Magazine and the IIHS that the Kia Soul is an incredible vehicle well worth recognition. The Kia dealer in Gurnee is not surprised so many approve of the Kia Soul; it is a great fit for families and individuals alike.

From stylish safety to affordability the Kia Soul is the full package. Drivers report in Chicago, Kia Soul is a great vehicle option. The Soul includes dual front airbags as well as side airbags, antilock brakes, and brake assist system, to name a few safety features. Also standard in the Kia Soul is the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system.

These standard safety systems on the Kia Soul are just one reason why mom reviewers voted the Kia Soul “Best Overall Value.” This automobile is available in four different trims to accommodate all types of people and families. The models start at $14,000 and are titled the Soul, Soul+, Soul! And Soul sport. Customers can customize the Soul with their choice of exterior color and packaging.

The Kia Soul is a diverse automobile worthy of its many accolades. It is both incredibly safe and affordable making it ideal for almost everything from a teenager’s first car to a great commuter or family automobile. This car has many options from internal stereo and speakers to exterior color. Kia has been improving on the Soul from its conception in 2006 and is now viewed by many as one of the best cars on the market. To find out more about the Kia Soul visit the Kia website or contact your local Kia dealer in Gurnee.

In the development of this hybrid vehicle Kia chose to use a “less is more” approach for the exterior model. The exterior has a certain curvature that increases aerodynamics; designers even used airplanes as a model for the Kia Ray. Kia has many popular models like the Chicago Kia Soul and the Kia Ray will likely be another popular option once it reaches production due to its many unique features including appearance.

The Kia Ray was presented as a concept car and with this title comes some incredible new features. The model on display boasted  a four-door model which uses recycled material as well as a solar panel in the roof which powers the lighting, interior cooling fan, and climate controls of the automobile. The car also utilizes nano-laminate films and cool-glazing material to help keep the car cool. The interior also features a touch screen instrument panel. Round Lake used car dealers also believe the white leather and mesh interior will be popular as well.

As a hybrid concept vehicle the Kia Ray is powered by a 1.4 liter gasoline DI engine with 153 horsepower this is connected to a CVT. The car is also powered by a 78kw electric motor. This automobile is capable of 77.6 miles per gallon in hybrid mode and 202.3 miles per gallon when running on electric only power. The Kia Ray does need to be plugged in to reach its full potential.

The Kia Ray is just one example of how Kia automaker is continuing to create innovative automobiles. Kia is clearly aware of customer demands and as a result created an attractive, functional hybrid vehicle. To find out more about Kia automobiles near you in Chicago, the Kia Soul, Sportage and other models, contact your local Kia dealership.