The Soul is particularly roomy considering its small footprint. Its 164-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic deliver decent acceleration and returned 26 mpg overall in our tests. But stopping distances were quite long. Cabin access is easy, with abundant head room and a spacious rear seat. Expect a noisy interior and a stiff ride. Handling is fairly nimble and secure. Controls are simple, but interior fit and finish is basic. Forward visibility is good, but thick rear roof pillars create rear blind zones. Crash-test results are impressive.
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