There's A New Kind of Kia Soul and the Hamsters Tell All

New Kia Hamsters Ad Showcases 'Totally Transformed' Kia Soul Illinois Kia dealer prepares for upcoming Kia Soul, Optima Releases

JOLIET, IL--Aug. 26, 2013: The Kia Soul is known for its unique exterior, affordable price tag, and its furry mascots — the Kia Hamsters.

After a short hiatus, the Kia Hamsters are back, but they aren't the same fur balls we've seen in the past. In Kia's new ad for the upcoming Kia Soul, the group of hamsters is redefining themselves by running on the beach, hitting the gym, and visiting the salon before making a red carpet debut in the 2014 Kia Soul.

Although the Hamsters are the focus of the ad, they represent the "Totally Transformed" theme of the 2014 Kia Soul, which is expected to arrive at Bill Jacobs Kia near Chicago, IL and dealerships throughout the country this fall.

Much like the Kia Hamsters in the ad, the redesigned Kia Soul received some strategic improvements that add to its visual appeal and overall performance. While the look and feel stay true to the Soul's blueprint, the 2014 version offers a stiffer, wider chassis and an improved suspension that builds upon the driving dynamics of the outgoing model.

The 2014 model includes two engine options — a 130-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 164-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine — that each offer a satisfying blend of fuel economy and performance.

While the Soul is receiving a lot of pre-release attention, in large part due to the Kia Hamsters ad, Kia also plans to release the 2014 Kia Optima compact sedan in the same time frame. And although the all-new Kia Cadenza has replaced the Optima as Kia's flagship sedan, it remains one of the staples of the 2014 lineup. With a healthy refresh for new model year, the new Optima receives minor exterior touches and several interior upgrades.