If you're in the market for a car, a new car would probably be a dream come true, right? Except, in today's market, for most people, buying a used car is more financially reasonable. Chances are, you'll find an excellent car in your budget that will last you many years and road trips and miles, whether it's new or used. But for those of you that really have a hankering for that new-car smell, we have some good news for you.

MSN Autos recently released their list of "10 Great Cars for Less Than $20,000." With this list, we guarantee you'll find an excellent new car, and you don't have to break the budget to do it. The really good news, however, is that two Kia models made the list this year. Yes, both the 2012 Kia Soul and the 2012 Kia Forte Koup made the top ten this year. Paul Cerame Kia has a few guesses as to why, so we'd like to take a few minutes to share with you why we think Kia climbed the ranks this year.

This isn't the first award for the 2012 Kia Soul, not even close. Critics have been praising the Soul all year for its boxy design, generous cargo and passenger space, and competitive fuel-economy. MSN praised the $13,900 price point, Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, and the peppy 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine under the hood.

Then there's the 2012 Kia Forte Koup. Starting at just $17,200, the price barely jumps between trim levels - up to 18,600 for the SX trim - buyers get a lot of bang for their buck out of the Koup. The 2.4-liter 173-hp engine and sport-tuned suspension deliver a sport performance without breaking the bank. In fact, it's $4,000 less than its major competitor, and editors at MSN agreed it was equal when it comes to performance.

So, what do you think - for under $20,000, would you rather get behind the wheel of a funky Soul or a sporty Koup? Not entirely sure? Stop in and take one of these award-winners for a spin and chat with a member of the Paul Cerame Kia, 11655 New Halls Ferry Florissant, MO 63033. We're always happy to arrange test drives, discuss trim levels and specs, and help you find the best vehicle and financing for your budget.