With 147 horsepower, the 2L normally-aspirated four furnishes more than adequate power under all conditions and unless really pushed hard, is quite refined as well. The CVT transmission is well matched to the 2L four, and is smooth, keen to downshift, can mimic the operation of a conventional automatic and avoids the “rubber banding” that was so much a part of earlier CVTs. With a generally quiet engine and good suppression of noise from the wind and road, the Soul is a quiet highway cruiser. The steering of the Soul is nicely weighted and is geared to deliver both quick response and good directional stability at speed.

The Soul feels very solid and there is no suspension jiggling over large bumps or over curbs like those experienced when you enter a driveway from the street. The ride of the EX Limited is firmly compliant most of the time and copes well with most surfaces except for long wave speed bumps on side streets, where the need to slow down is more pronounced than it is with other cars driven on the same roads.

The brakes feel over boosted at first but once you are used to them they are strong, easy to modulate and are non-fatiguing in stop-and-go driving. The air conditioning of the Soul keeps occupants cool and refreshed in the hottest weather.

The Soul is built on the same architecture that underpins the Rio that debuted for 2018. Styling follows previous Soul themes and features the simple, logical controls that have come a Hyundai-Kia hallmark. A 10.25 inch infotainment screen with crisp graphics is available, as is a head up display system. Cabin materials are very attractive, especially for this segment. Seating is comfortable front and rear, and rear seat riders have good legroom and plenty of space under the front seats to rest their feet. Trunk space is good for a car in this segment and the trunk is deep below the window line.

The only gasoline engine is a 147 horsepower 2L four used in a number of Hyundai Kia products. The sole transmission offered with the 2L engine is a CVT marketed as the iVT. Two electrics, the 248 kilometre Premium and the 383 kilometre Limited, are available.

The base LX trim, with heated door mirrors, heated seats, air conditioning, a tilt and telescope steering wheel, the iOS-Android cellphone interface, cruise control and six speakers, is nicely equipped. The EX trim upgrade adds alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, forward collision warning. autonomous emergency braking, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, wireless cellphone charging, leather wraps for the steering wheel and shifter, L.E.D. headlamps and a rear centre armrest, and is a tremendous bargain. The EX+, which adds a sunroof and bigger wheels and is good value. The EX Premium, which includes dual-zone climate control, navigation, remote starting, auto-dim rearview mirror, ambient lighting and bigger wheels is worth having if you like the features but could probably be folded into another model to reduce the trim count. The range-topping GT-Line Limited offers leather seating, power front seats, heated rear seats, ventilated from seats and junction turning intervention, and is a an extreme bargain.

Average to above average reliability predicted during the warranty period.