2010 Kia Soul Denim Edition Arrives, More to Come

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It's only been a few months into its U.S. market introduction and Kia is already rolling out special editions of its hipster Soul people mover. Meet the Denim Edition, the first in what is anticipated to be a long line of special edition Souls.

The variant is based on the Soul + model, so it comes pretty well equipped in standard form. Air conditioning, power locks and windows, multiple cabin storage spaces, and a 60/40 folding rear seat all are featured on the model.

So what's different? Well, the Denim Edition comes with the optional Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, amplifier, pulsating speaker lighting) and a barrage of white accents strewn across its exterior.

White mirror housings, matching 18-in. sport wheels, and an off-center racing stripe set on top of a denim blue livery differentiate the special edition. It also comes replete with a moonroof and foglights.

Its engine remains untouched, so the standard 2.0L four-banger making 142 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque is still onboard and is rated at 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway.

The package as a whole is said to exude "edginess and confidence," as Kia marketing head Michael Sprague says. We're not so sure what makes the Denim Edition "confident" but it looks OK to us.

Pricing is set at $17,300 with the five-speed manual transmission and $18,250 with the automatic gearbox. Both MSRPs exclude taxes, destination charges, and various other smaller expenses.

Source: Kia

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