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  The Soul is as recognisable as J-Lo’s posterior and possibly more appealing. Photo Gallery

Well, that?s that. No more effortless urban puttering for a while.

If the Kia Soul2 was unremarkable in any animate sense, its ability to alleviate the drudgery from the godawful urban grind that is the lot of a Sydney motorist after 14 years of the worst state government since the Rum Corps, was entirely remarkable.

Even the acts of entry and egress were devoid of effort, the tall boy Soul removing the necessity to so much as bend the knees. Turn it on and toddle off amid a distinctly lack of diesel rattle for a small oiler.

Gear changing? Not so much as the option of a quasi-manual mode in this four-speed auto (with overdrive, like our Corona of yore). No necessity for it either with all 220Nm just about always on tap.

Only the squeezy spot left in the parking lot or a slot between two obnoxious SUVs at the market? Not an issue. This Kia’s surfeit of inner space is complimented by petite outer dimensions.

No chance of losing sight of the thing when you come back. As mentioned, the Soul’s as recognisable as J-Lo’s posterior and possibly more comely.

Dispense with notions that Kia’s sole merit resides in making a minimal impact on your wallet. Value for money remains to the fore, abetted by a five year warranty, but the Soul – like the new Cerato and (reports suggest) the next Sorrento – ain’t just for those with no choice.