“Just remember, we have to sell it when we’re done.” Those words from my colleague, Gabe Shenhar, rattled around my head as I ignored them and bought our “Alien Green” Kia Soul.

The color is polarizing (I like it), but the value equation isn’t. You needn’t sell your soul, or your worldly possessions, to buy a well-equipped Soul. Our Soul Plus automatic has lots of features that you don’t expect for $16,690, including alloy wheels, iPod control (you can listen to Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice” anytime you want), Bluetooth, and an outside temperature display. More importantly, it includes electronic stability control and side-curtain air bags.

Compare that price to some of our other recently tested small cars:

• The MSRP of our last Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT – with no power mirrors, ESC, or curtain airbags – was only $220 less than this Soul.
• Our Honda Fit Sport, with most of the creature comforts of the Soul but without ESC and the automatic (or seat height adjustment), lists at $40 more.
• The breadbox-like Scion xB we tested, perhaps the Soul’s most obvious competition, is around $18,500 with similar equipment. (Ratings and road tests on these competitors are available to online subscribers.)

First impressions are that the Soul is roomy inside, belying its small footprint. It’s also well-finished and enjoyable to drive, but the ride is stiff. Like the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa, the Soul stretches the definition of what low-priced “basic” transportation provides nowadays.

—Tom Mutchler