Nissan isn't afraid to go big with Titan pickup truck, Armada SUV

Big is not a word Nissan is afraid to explore.

While most vehicles aim at shedding weight and gaining fuel economy these days, Nissan is among the automakers still pushing things on the other end for customers who want big, bad machines who can get them where they need to go in a powerful way and maybe even tow some heavy loads on top of that.

I recently spent time in a couple big Nissan rides; first a Titan 4Ã4 Pro-4X full-size pickup truck, then their full-sized SUV offering the Nissan Armada, which are built off the same platform.

I’m back with an analysis of what I thought of these two Nissan rides and how they stack up to their respective competition.

Nissan Titan

Nissan can be very to the point with its vehicle names. The Titan is its big truck, hence the name of course.

If you’re looking for a big, roomy pickup, the Titan is aimed squarely at you.

It’s not as popular a name as some other pickups and won’t dominate truck sales, but its performance makes it worth a test drive for anyone considering a new pickup (and if you care, it’s made in America).

LOOKS

For a truck, the Titan’s cabin is pretty large, with comfy seats and plenty of room in front and back.

There is a unique positioning of door handles (lower down) that will be confusing at first, but I got used to it after a few days. I did not have a sidestep on my test vehicle, which was a little annoying.

Nissan’s inside setup is a little more basic and plasticky than some of its truck rivals. Controls are easy to find and to use, but they’re just not as fancy in terms of the materials used.

Several bed lengths are offered, depending on your needs.

ENGINE

As expected with a big truck, the engine is powerful. Your only option is a 5.6-liter V8 and a five-speed automatic transmission, which offers 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. You can choose either two- or four-wheel drive at all the trim levels.

One downside is that there is no V6 option to which you can downgrade and try to improve your fuel economy. It’s go big or go home in the engine department.

Handling was impressive overall even in the snow, to a point. You still had to be careful or it could get squirrelly (we’ve all seen overanxious truck drivers in a ditch in our time).

The Titan can tow up to 9,500 pounds depending on configuration. Not the best out there, but respectable.

MPG
I averaged 13 miles per gallon in other words, not very good (official numbers are 12 city/17 highway and 14 combined).

But it is a big pickup truck with a powerful engine so it’s no big surprise that this is the case. The downside for Nissan here is that their truck rivals have improved in this area and have them beaten in fuel economy.

TECH, SAFETY FEATURES

Among the tech features that are offered on the Titan are upgraded audio systems, navigation system, and rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

It comes standard with front and side airbags, plus stability control, traction control, and antilock disc brakes. All but the base model offer the option of rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

TRIM LEVELS, PRICE

There are multiple trim levels on the Titan, starting with S (base), SV (mid-level), PRO-4X (off-road focus), and SL (luxury).

The PRO-4X includes some features and tires aimed more at off-roading, and probably isn’t needed for folks who’ll be staying in the city.

Prices on the base model start as low as $29,270, but my PRO-4X test truck with a load of features came it at $45,555. The SL can go even higher if you add all available options/packages.

BOTTOM LINE

You’ll get a powerful and spacey full-size pickup that is fun to drive if you opt for the Nissan Titan, but due to its mpg numbers and lack of distinguishing features, the Titan has a tough battle if it wants to compete with the American trucks that dominate the pickup market, most of which have gotten upgrades in recent years. An upgrade is planned for 2015′s model to help the Titan catch up.

2014 Nissan Armada

Armada is a fitting name for this vehicle. It’s not just big, it’s almost tank-like; so the military imagery is merited.
I drove this vehicle during the worst Michigan winter in decades, but wasn’t afraid of what the roads held for me when I left the house each day.

LOOKS

To call the Armada roomy doesn’t do it justice. This is built off the same platform as the Titan, just get rid of that truck bed and add a whole bunch more seating and cargo space.

Inside, you’ll get lots of room above your head, on your sides and everywhere inbetween.

You get three rows of seating, can comfortably fit 8 people (though the back row is tight for grownups so save it for the kids). This is one of those large SUVs that is great for big families (and the seemingly endless parade of overhead storage bins can help reduce your clutter in the car).

One thing worth noting is that, when fully occupied, there is less storage space in back than some other large SUVs offer. But if that back row isn’t occupied you can expand the available space. There are minor quirks, like the unique door handle position (also on the Titan) that takes getting used to. This vehicle, however, does have a sidestep to help you get in.

Be careful finding a parking spot though. With something this large, you won’t fit everywhere.

ENGINE
The 5.6-liter, V8 engine was the same one the Titan had offering 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. It can also tow 9,100 pounds, so if you need to bring a boat or something else hefty on vacation it can handle it.

During my time in the Armada, the vehicle handled very well in the snow, as long as you weren’t overly aggressive. Handlingwise, it’s not the best ride I’ve had in a large SUV, but it wasn’t overly bumpy or uncomfortable.

You have the option of rear wheel drive or four-wheel drive versions of the Armada, but it’s  wise to go the four-wheel route, as it definitely came in handy during rough weather.

MPG

I was not expecting this to be a good number, and it lived up to those meager expectations, getting a pretty terrible 13 miles per gallon during my time with the car (well, to be fair, 13.1). The official numbers are 12 city/18 highway and 14 combined.

This is nothing to be exciting about and will definitely drain your wallet. But it comes with the territory with a vehicle this large and an engine this powerful. You can’t have your cake and eat it too, but the cost of gas will definitely scare off some potential buyers, as there are other SUVs of this size that get a little better mpg numbers.

TECH

There are a whole lot of buttons on the front console of the Armada probably too many but after a little while in the vehicle it’s easy for a tech-savvy person to figure out what does what, and much of it can be done via voice commands anyway (and that’s a safer way to go).

Bluetooth connectivity is standard. Navigation and heated seats are optional. You also get USB connections if you want to keep your electronics plugged in.
Among safety features are antilock brakes, traction and stability control, a full complement of airbags, and you get standard rear parking sensors. Rearview camera is optional on base model, but standard if you upgrade past the base.

PRICEYou have several price levels on the Armada, depending on trim levels.

The base SV version begins at $37,240; this model includes sidesteps, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors.
A bump up to the SL trim level has a starting price of $42,330; which upgrades to 20-inch wheels, auto-leveling rear suspension, and adds a tow package, heated front seats and leather seats
Finally, the Platinum level (which I tested) starts at $49,610 and features front parking sensors, a sunroof, power-folding mirrors, heated rear seats and steering wheel, driver memory functions, a DVD entertainment system and a navigation system with music storage.

My test vehicle, a Platinum model with upgrades, came it at $53,595.

BOTTOM LINE

The cost of gas and the overall price will cause many people to avoid taking home something like the Armada, even if they need a large SUV.

But if you’re not focused on those concerns, and instead are on the hunt for a large vehicle to haul a large brood around and do so with large amounts of power under the hood, the Armada is a vehicle you’ll find to your liking.

If you don’t need all the power and towing capacity the Armada provides, you have a lot of crossover SUV options that are smaller and better on gas mileage (including Nissan’s own Pathfinder).

Apple's CarPlay infotainment system links iOS devices with your car

Apple has announced CarPlay, an in-car infotainment system that lets you connect your iOS device with your car.

The new system actually a rebranding of Apple’s iOS in the Car will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show, held from Mar. 6 to 16, 2014.

See also: Tim Cook to Climate Change Deniers: Get Out of Apple Stock

CarPlay will let iPhone users make calls, access messages, listen to music or use Maps in their cars using Siri-based voice control, touch controls, or standard knobs, dials and buttons in the car. Third party apps such as Spotify, Beats Radio, Stitcher and iHeartRadio are also supported.

For this launch, Apple has partnered with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Later on, the CarPlay system will also be embraced by an impressive roster of car manufacturers: BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.

CarPlay will become available as an update to iOS 7 on lightning-enabled iPhones, which currently means the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. We’ll see the first cars supporting CarPlay on the road sometime in 2014.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

This article originally appeared on Mashable .

Did a harsh winter slow car sales?

Late last month, David Kelleher had 412 unsold new cars and trucks at his Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram dealership southwest of Philadelphia. He would have been more comfortable with about 40 less.

It’s a similar scene at other dealers, with cars parked in spaces that were previously vacant.

The auto industry hopes this year to sell more than 16 million cars for the first time since 2007. So, the question for automakers is whether numbers like Kelleher’s simply reflect a bad winter or hint at trouble ahead. For many car buyers they signal something better: deals.

Kelleher, who had to close his showroom for five days due to storms, expects February sales declined but is confident that buyers will return once temperatures rise. Industry analysts note that warmer-weather dealerships fared well over the winter.

But others see signs of the habits that got Detroit into financial trouble five years ago producing too many cars and trucks, and losing money with hefty discounts to move them off lots.

Kelleher’s inventory was enough to meet demand for 94 days. Normally he likes to have an 85-day supply. Stocks are growing across the nation, too. At the end of January, dealers had an 89-day supply, the highest in five years, according to Ward’s AutoInfoBank. Detroit automakers had the most, with General Motors at 114 days, followed by Ford at 107 and Chrysler at 105.

To unload the inventory, automakers are offering more discounts. That means deals for consumers. Incentives are the highest they’ve been in three years, averaging $2,633 per vehicle in February, according to the TrueCar.com auto pricing site. They’re up more than 5 percent over a year ago, TrueCar said.

GM raised discounts on some Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks to more than $7,000 last month. Ford offered $3,250 on some 2014 F-150s and up to $8,250 on 2013 models. GM also discounted its slow-selling Chevy Malibu and the Cruze compact, while Ford discounted the midsize Fusion, and Chrysler offered deals on the compact Dart.

If you can fight the weather, it’s a good time to get out there, said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of auto sales forecasting for the LMC consulting firm. You’re likely to see more deals now than toward the end of the year.

At Jeff Wyler Chevrolet in Canal Winchester, Ohio, near Columbus, General Sales Manager Ed Bressler says his staff is tempting consumers to brave the elements.

They’re calling potential buyers and dangling higher trade-in offers and no-cost additional features. Even so, February sales are slightly behind last year.

They’re not going to come naturally. Not in weather like this, he said.

Indications are that incentives could rise this month. GM told dealers last week it will offer Chevrolet customers the same discounts it gives to parts suppliers. That’s usually the dealer invoice price plus shipping and a $150 fee. The discounts would apply to the whole Chevrolet lineup except the Corvette and SS muscle car.

For automakers, the danger is that this could be the beginning of an escalating arms race for market share, said Eric Lyman, a vice president at Automotive Lease Guide, which tracks car prices.

The growing inventories were caused in part by a 3 percent sales drop in January. Automakers report February sales on Monday.

For Kelleher, February started with an ice-and-snow storm that knocked out power for three days. His staff couldn’t call potential customers or follow Internet leads, and no one ventured onto his lot in Glen Mills, Pa. Then a 15-inch snowstorm shut him down two more days. Of 24 sales days, Kelleher’s business was open for 19.

We continue to have big days when we’re open, he said. But it’s pretty tough to make up for five full days.

LMC initially predicted a 3 percent February sales increase over a year ago, but last week dropped it to just 1 percent because of the weather. TrueCar expects only a slight increase.

Schuster is in the camp that says sales are enduring a weather distraction, where consumers are just waiting for the cold to end before making big purchases. Economy and other drivers are still positive, so we do view it as temporary.

Schuster isn’t changing his forecast for 16.2 million in total U.S. sales this year, up 4 percent from last year.

Kelleher says he’s not alarmed by higher inventory on his lot, or across the country. There are fewer Chrysler dealers than there were before the Great Recession, yet sales have grown to near pre-recession levels. So the remaining dealers need to stock more to meet increased demand, he said.

Audi adds premium high-performance SUV

Is the supercharged gas engine of the 2014 Audi SQ5 SUV quattro a bit smoother than the turbocharged diesel power in the Audi Q5 TDI quattro?It seems so. The turboed diesel, which I drove five months ago, produces slightly more thrust on kickdown; it generates 428 lb.-ft. of torque and 240 horsepower. The ratings for the supercharged gas version are 354 horsepower and 346 lb.-ft. torque.

Regardless of the differences, both are refined, responsive 3.0-liter V-6s tied to silky smooth 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmissions.

Since its introduction for the 2009 model year, the Q5 has been among the most likable of premium compact SUV crossovers.

Adding the supercharged V-6 for 2014 creates the first “S” high-performance edition for the Q5.

Low-range torque comes on immediately from the belt-driven supercharger. Audi says the SQ5 will run from 0 to 60 in barely over 5 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour. A stiffened sport suspension has been lowered by more than an inch over the standard Q5. The Audi, which rode on Continental 235/55R19 winter tires, averaged almost 23 miles per gallon of premium fuel.

Its Nappa leather interior ($1,500 option) is inviting, sportily enhanced with a flat-bottomed steering wheel and stubby shifter.

Handling was superb as Jan and I, with Brent and Tina Wells, guided it through lots of fog last Sunday night near Bruce’s Bar at Severance. Fog lights helped brighten the immediate roadway.

Comfortable, supportive seating is a highlight of the rear-seat area, along with manual sunshades for the daytime. Cargo space behind the rear seats is 29 cubic feet.

A SQ5 Prestige package ($7,500) helped boost sticker price from a base of $51,900 to $64,195. The package included navigation, Band & Olufsen sound system, rearview camera, adaptive headlights, side-assist technology, the manual sunshades and thermo cupholder. Among other options, in addition to the Nappa leather, were gray metallic finish and layered aluminum/black wood inlays.

The Audi’s all-wheel-drive system can split torque 40/60 front-to-rear. Suspension includes five-link in front and rear trapezoidal-link fully independent.

Nothing nosey about newest Mitsubishi Outlander

The most outlandish identifier of Mitsubishi’s seven-passenger SUV crossover is gone.

The obvious alteration when the Outlander took on a new look last year was deep-sixing of the old shark-nose front end. The new grille is bi-level with wide headlights and the exterior structure gains added sleekness, more conventional than the previous model.

A simple push of a button on the center console of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT will transfer power from an economy mode to normal; another push moves it to snow setting, with takeoffs in 2nd gear for reduced spinning. Depress the button again and the Outlander is locked into what Mitsubishi refers to as “super all-wheel-control” for adverse conditions.

It was the latter option I was grateful for Tuesday night between Fort Lupton and Colo. 60 north of Platteville, when blizzard-like conditions set upon us and other motorists. The wind-driven snow, sticking to and icing up on the roadway, created treacherous footing and perilously cut vision. The least risky option was to follow the car ahead, not closely but enough to keep its taillights in view, and the Outlander did its part with fairly secure grip.The Outlander GT for ’14 is equipped with a 224-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, with paddle-shift capability. It rides on Toyo A24 P225/55R18 tires. The performance it generates is only average; its shifts are smooth. It carries an EPA fuel estimate of 20/28 miles per gallon; my overall average was 23.8. The Outlander is built in Japan.

Cheaper Outlander models, the ES and SE versions, offer a 166-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission, producing even higher mpg figures, though weaker in acceleration.

The Outlander Sport, 14 inches shorter than the Outlander in overall length, is a five-passenger crossover.

The Outlander and the smaller Outlander Sport are dominant in the Mitsubishi showrooms. The two make up 57 percent of sales of Mitsu products, outselling the two car models – Mirage and Lancer.

The Outlander would have been a very moderately priced $28,000 vehicle, except for the GT package. That added $6,100 to the total ($34,720) and included navigation with a 7-inch touch-screen display, Rockford Fosgate sound with nine speakers, lane-departure warning and forward-collision mitigation systems, adaptive cruise control, power glass sunroof, leather seats with power on driver’s side, power remote tailgate.

The lane-departure system is overactive, beeping more often than necessary. Of course, it can be disengaged.

The ride quality of the Outlander is comfortable, with supportive leather seats and a soft suspension.

The third-row seats, which lift from the cargo floor, are small and provide little legroom. Access is very limited. With the seats in place, the rear cargo area amounts to only 10.3 cubic feet. Drop them and the space expands to 34.2 feet.

A one-piece liftgate has replaced the drop-down tailgate which was handy for loading and unloading.

Notes from e-mail

I enjoy your column, Bud, but must beg to differ with you regarding a recommendation you made in your review of the BMW 320ix sedan about a month ago. You complained that the BMW was shipped with summer tires and recommended that anyone buying the car would want to trade these for all-season tires. As a BMW owner and safety enthusiast, I think this was the wrong recommendation. Anyone driving in the Denver area, or venturing out to the mountains needs to have dedicated winter tires that meet the industry’s severe snow service requirements and are branded with the mountain snowflake symbol. Even if the drive is only to Floyd Hill or Boulder, I have seen many vehicles stalled out and blocking traffic when a significant snowfall occurs. For anyone buying the BMW or any vehicle in the Denver region, I wish you would consider a recommendation that they also purchase a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires. Incidentally, BMW has typically offered a special on run-flat winter tires and cast wheels for about $1,100, with tire-pressuring monitoring system, a small price to pay for the added safety in the context of a BMW purchase. – S.C.

Thanks, Stan. I suggested “opting for all-season tires in these parts.” My point was reinforced two weeks ago when I received an Audi SQ5 quattro with winter tires, then received a BMW X5 with summer tires and this note of caution: “This vehicle is equipped with summer tires, please avoid driving in inclement weather.” With the type winter we’ve experienced, this means leaving the BMW sit for awhile.

Volvo to debut 'tablet' in-car interface at Geneva

The company’s approach to increasing the levels of control at a driver’s fingertips and increasing the number of in-car infotainment and telematics features, but without increasing driver distraction, looks very much like a tablet.

That said, Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice president design at Volvo Car Group, points out that the new user interface is designed to create a smooth, logical and safe interaction between the driver and the car, and that it goes far beyond just putting a large tablet in the center of the dashboard. We have created a digital environment that is fully integrated in the car.

The first piece of intelligent design is in where the tablet is located integrated into the dashboard’s center stack in place of all the buttons and knobs for controlling the heating and the stereo and therefore eliminating visual clutter.

And like the tablet that over 40 percent of US consumers have at home, this touch screen responds to typical tablet commands such as swipes, taps and pinching to zoom.

However, unlike a normal Android device or an iPad, the display and interface have been specifically developed for ease of navigation and minimum distraction. Key functions are displayed as a stack of flexible tiles. These tiles expand when in use but other commands and functions, though minimized, remain visible on the screen.

Having all functions present all the time makes the touch screen exceptionally user-friendly. The spacious layout also promotes smooth interaction without distraction, says Ingenlath, who also claims that the interface and layout are so logical that using it will be part of your muscle memory very quickly.

One of the most frustrating things about many car companies’ digital dashboard interface systems is the need to toggle, scroll or flick between menu after menu in order to find the right command, function or setting. By keeping everything on view and within reach all of the time, Volvo eliminates this problem.

The basic idea is to organize controls and information in a perfectly intuitive and user-friendly way. Everything is exactly where you expect it to be, making the drive more enjoyable, efficient, and safe, says Ingenlath.

The new interface will be displayed for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4 but will be coming to the Volvo XC90 later this year.

The 2014 Kia Soul: If Hanna-Barbera made a car…

It is a new Soul, redesigned front to rear for the 2014 model year.

It is a more amenable Soul, outfitted with an interior in tune with the reality that our bodies age.

It is a good Soul, designed for people who want to be entertained, who just want to have fun, who are more concerned about the trip than the speed with which it is completed.

Not everyone will like the 2014 Kia Soul, not even the very enjoyable Exclaim model used for this column. Although redesigned, the front-wheel-drive Soul wagon retains the body and spirit of a cartoon character a squared roundness with deliberate comic touches, such as the rounded, low-hanging front fog lamps, and rear lights that seem to be winking at traffic.

The new Soul, as was the case with its predecessors, is not for souls addicted to the need for speed. The wagon is offered in three trim levels base, Plus and Exclaim. The base model comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque not exactly the stuff of speed demons.

The Plus and Exclaim are equipped with a 2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine offering 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. That’s much better, but not terribly distant from acceleration purgatory.

You don’t buy this one to play on the racetrack. You don’t get it for super fuel economy, either. The new Soul gets about 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway decent for a compact wagon, but certainly nothing to brag about in a market where rivals easily do at least five miles per gallon better in highway running.

The Soul is its own reason for being, and that reason is easily accessible, thoroughly enjoyable fun. That rationale has yielded strong sales for the Soul in the United States, making it one of the best-selling compact wagons in the country.

It is more than fluff: The Soul has one of the best overall crash-safety ratings of any compact economy wagon five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It offers a pleasant, comfortable ride on long trips. It offers easy cabin entrance and exit for aging adult bodies. Both its standard and optional advanced electronic safety equipment matches or beats that offered on substantially more expensive vehicles. And, yes, both reliability and durability are there, backed by the best warranty in the business.

The Soul is styled with a provocative sense of humor tall, square/round cartoon body, which some people don’t find funny. I do. The little wagon makes me smile and laugh. Walking up to it in the driveway is like greeting a crazy, lovable friend. You know from the get-go that it is going to be an unusual outing. In fact, you are looking forward to it.

The Soul, especially the fully optioned Exclaim model, delivers in many ways. It offers one of the best high-definition backup cameras and sound systems in the business. Speaking of which, there is also this admittedly silly but enjoyable point: Round lights surrounding door-mounted speakers pulse on and off in rhythm with the bass register of the music. Those pulsing lights introduce humor to what might have been a hard day. I once found myself laughing uncontrollably at their boom-boom on-and-off rhythm. It is slapstick, but welcome stuff.

I had fun with this Soul. I wasn’t leaving anyone in my dust or taking any corners. I wasn’t trying to do those things. I didn’t care. This crazy friend of a wagon reliably and safely got me wherever I wanted to go using regular gasoline, by the way and made me laugh and smile in the process. I appreciate that.

Bottom line: The 2014 Kia Soul is one of the best-priced, best-equipped small wagons available in the U.S. auto market. I hereby predict that it will sell as well as its predecessor. It has several worthy competitors the Nissan Versa hatchback, Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Sonic among them.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Good marks in all three. Good means it will please most ordinary drivers people who want to get where they have to go safely, reliably, within the bounds of the law.

Body style/layout: This is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive, tall-bodied but compact wagon with four side doors and a rear hatch. It is offered in three trim levels base, Plus (+ in Kia marketing parlance), and Exclaim (! according to Kia marketers).

Engines/transmissions: Two of each are available. The base gets a 1.6-liter, 16-valve, in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing (130 horsepower, 118 pound-feet of torque). That engine is linked to a standard six-speed manual transmission. The Plus and Exclaim get a 2-liter version of that gasoline engine (164 horsepower, 151 pound-feet of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Capacities: Seating is for five people. Cargo capacity is 24.2 cubic feet with rear seats up and 61.3 cubic feet with those seats down. The fuel tank holds 14.2 gallons of gasoline (regular grade is recommended).

Mileage: My real-world mileage was 21 miles per gallon in congested city traffic and 30 on the highway.

Safety: Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated front, solid rear); four-wheel anti-lock brake protection; electronic brake-force distribution; stability and traction control; driver and passenger head-restraint whiplash-protection systems; and front and rear head air bags.

Price: The non-optioned price of the 2014 Kia Soul Exclaim with 18-inch wheels is $20,500, with a dealer’s invoice price of $19,521. Price as tested is $27,310, including $6,015 in options (onboard navigation, high-definition rear backup camera, premium sound system, panoramic glass roof and other items) and a $795 factory-to-dealer transportation charge. Dealer’s price as tested is $25,777.

Note: Kia is pushing hard to keep the Soul on its bestseller list. You have bargaining room on this one.