Kia’s funky new 2010 Soul line has a color palate that includes Alien (green), Molten (red) and Dune (brown). To top it off, our green tester from Pye Kia in Dalton, Ga., had handsome houndstooth headrests. (From behind, it looks like Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant is driving.) Brian Starks of Pye Kia said members of the dealership’s sales team took turns driving the Soul around the block, partly to watch people react to the avant-garde design. “I had a lady flash her lights and pull me over to see what it was,” Mr. Starks said.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: We drove the mid-trim Soul called the Exclaim. (Technically, it’s the “!” — funky, remember.) Powered by a willing 2.0- liter, four-cylinder engine, the Soul Exclaim is a step up from the 1.6-liter engine in the base model. Like many of today’s small squarish wagons — think Honda Fit and Scion xB — the Soul is built more for utility than performance. Seating position and visibility are superb in the little runabout. Climate and sound-system controls in the center stack are uncluttered and straightforward. The two-tone black and sand interior in our tester was handsome and upscale for a sub-$20,000 vehicle. The Soul is a secure-handling car with nicely firm steering and good balance.

STYLING: If the Soul were a handgun, it would be a snub-nosed revolver. If it were a dog, it would be a beagle. (Somebody stop me.) Like all the breadbox-style small wagons, the Soul is a nonconformist. It does have some character lines in the sheet metal that give it a vaguely European look. Low-profile tires and blackout trim on the facia add a dash of aggressiveness. Inside, fit and finish are first rate. Amenities such as a power sunroof and Sirius radio show this is no bargain-basement vehicle.

BOTTOM LINE: Kia is morphing into a company known for value pricing, safety and industry leading warranties. Like other Kias, the Soul comes with a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. A six-airbag cluster results in government five-star crash test ratings. With well equipped models available for less than $18,000 and highway mpg of 30, the Kia delivers significant bang for the buck. That, plus head-turning styling, makes it a compelling little ride.

(E-mail your questions about new cars and trucks to Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com.)

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