What blew me away most about my week-long test drive of the all-electric 2015 Kia Soul EV was despite the boxy exterior, booming sound system and man-size hamster ads that scream BOOMPF-BOOMPF-BOOMPF, DOOIT-DOOIT-DOOIT, what stood out most was the quiet, ultra-smooth ride.

Surely those young ‘uns stopped alongside me at red lights thinking to themselves “mid-life crisis … sad” had no idea that my blue-and-white charmer drove like grandma’s Buick LaCrosse.

Indeed, at around 35 grand with all the bells and whistles and mad beats on my test model, this Kia Soul EV had me re-thinking my looming personal strategy of going as cheaply as possible just to get into an electric, and then trade up as time (and main battery life) march on.

Besides the smooth ride, it delivers impressive power when you need it, like getting on the freeway or passing grandma in her Buick LaCrosse. Being winter in Southern California, there was no need to deploy the heat for the heated front seats, but with their leather trim they were quite comfortable. Rear-view mirror visibility, which has been an issue for me with other EVs and tiny cars, was no problem in this Korean version.

Then there were those aforementioned bells, whistles and yes, mad beats, yo. The electronically powered air conditioner had the cabin cool in a snap, something vital since it was winter in SoCal. (Pass the sunscreen.) What really had me styling was the smart key you keep in your pocket and the power-folding outside side mirrors. There’s a setting that allows the mirrors to fold inward when the car is off and then they electronically fold out when you unlock it. (The mirrors are also said to be heated and have turn-signal indicators, but I didn’t feel/see to confirm.)

The car makes a little blip sound as you (and only you) approach with the key in your pocket, purse or murse. You can take the key fob out and press unlock or simply push a little black button on the door handle to do the same. With the key still in pocket, you (and only you) can then press the car start button inside the cabin. The engine barely makes a noise; it’s better to check the gauge behind the steering wheel to see that it’s indeed running.

A large screen in the center console allows for viewing the navigation system, SIRIUSXM satellite radio settings or a split screen of both. Of course, when you shift your EV into reverse, the same screen is filled with the rear-camera image. This came in especially handy on a dark side street off PCH in Laguna Beach, where a mom and dad carrying little ones decided to walk right into my reverse path as I started to back up. I was able to watch them amble off to safety.

You’ll notice little holes around the front and back bumpers, which provide another safety feature: little sensors to alert you with a noise inside if you are getting too close to an object or vice versa. This got a little annoying while backing out of my car lot of a driveway but was welcome when a lane-changer on the freeway forgot to signal. All things considered, I’d rather put up with the annoyance.

Read more: OC Weekly