As 2013 Rolls In, Forbes Finds the Kia Soul to Be in High Demand

ELGIN, ILL. (01/03/2013)(readMedia)-- As 2013 begins and many auto brands wrap up their holiday sales, Forbes has released a list of the vehicles that were in the highest demand during the busy selling season. Coming in at number four on the publication's Top 10 Hard-to-Get Cars list is the Kia Soul urban crossover, which has been attracting buyers with its affordable pricing and eccentric styling.

Forbes worked with auto researcher Edmunds.com to rank its Top 10 Hard-to-Get Cars based on the average number of days it took for each model to turn, or how long a dealer had a vehicle in inventory before it sold. Edmunds.com reported that the average Kia Soul model stayed in stock for just 15 days, as the vehicle remains a high-volume seller, moving well past 100,000 units in the United States in 2012.

"If you look at the Forbes Hard-to-Get Cars list, you'll notice that every model has attractive styling, but none of the other styles are quite as unique as the Soul's funky design," said Scott Levy, general manager of Rosen Kia of Elgin, a Chicagoland Kia dealer. "The tall roof and angular lines of the Soul have made it perfect for drivers who want to stand out but still need a practical, versatile ride for day-to-day driving."

Last February, Kia used the style of the Soul as the basis when it unveiled the sportier, two-door Track'ster concept, which was recently named a 2013 10Best Concept Car by Car and Driver magazine. Taking on a longer wheelbase and a wider stance with more prominent fender flares, the Kia Track'ster has a race-ready appearance, donning various scoops and vents as well as a pair of booster-rocket exhaust pipes.

Though there are no current plans for production, Car and Driver indicated that the aggressive styling of the Kia Track'ster could make the coupe a viable competitor to the MINI Cooper, in much the same way that the Soul has taken on its boxy four-door counterparts, the Scion xB and Nissan Cube. Even if the Track'ster remains a concept, it may influence the style of the next-generation 2014 Soul when it goes on sale as soon as this year. A prototype of the new Soul has been spotted with a steeper front end similar to that of the Track'ster.

"As an automaker, you have to be careful that you aren't trying fix something that isn't broken when redesigning a popular model, but all signs point to just the right amount of styling updates in the next Soul," added Levy. "Fans can expect the same recognizable shape along with new modern touches that will keep the crossover turning heads for years to come."

About Rosen Kia of Elgin:

Having served local Illinois drivers for years, Rosen Kia of Elgin offers a wide selection of stylish, affordable Kia vehicles that are backed by the dealership's expert sales and service teams. Whether Chicagoland Kia buyers prefer the award-winning Optima sedan or the versatile Sorento crossover SUV, customers at Rosen Kia of Elgin benefit from a friendly, no-hassle sales environment and prompt, thorough maintenance. Visit their Kia dealership in person at 845 East Chicago St. in Elgin, contact their team at 847-268-7574 or browse their entire inventory online at www.rosenkiaelgin.com. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RosenKiaElgin.