Kia Motors' urban passenger vehicle, the 2015 Soul, was named a winner during the 11 th annual Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year awards held recently at Local Motors in Chandler, Arizona.

For the third consecutive year, local media and athletes rated the latest Soul in the urban category after static and dynamic evaluations, according to a company release.

"Winning the Active Lifestyle Vehicle award for the third consecutive year speaks to the popularity of the Soul's young-at-heart personality, good looks and practicality for active and athletic consumers," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing, KMA, according to the release. "With its eye-catching design, expansive cargo capacity and premium technology options, the Soul stands out in its segment as a winner for anyone on the move."

The 2015 Soul comes standard with features like navigation, rear backup camera, Bluetooth, power windows, power driver's seat, cruise control, a 6.6-kilowatt on-board charger and an air-conditioning system intended to use less electricity.

The Soul is one of KMA's best-selling nameplates, as the automaker sold more than 115,000 units this year. Soul sales have increased 28 percent compared to the same time in 2013.

With a starting MSRP of $15,000, not including the destination charge of $800, the 2015 Soul is a great value for those who are looking for great utility and style in a small package.

"The fact that the Kia Soul has won our Urban Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year three consecutive years speaks to how strong the product is," said Nina Russin, founder Active Lifestyle Vehicle program, according to the release. "The Soul's cargo area is versatile enough to meet the needs of triathletes, cyclists, skiers and kayakers yet the car is compact for easy maneuverability and very stylish; something that's especially important to buyers in this segment."

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