KIA has turned a corner with the Soul EV.

For a comparatively young car-maker, the Korean company is already in the running with a practical and economical car for now and the future.

If you need room and money in your pocket, don't travel long distances when commuting or shopping and appreciate some creature comforts, the battery powered Kia Soul EV could be outside your home.

A taller, upright family cross-over, the Kia Soul provides room for five with a boot extending from about 280 to 900 litres and it has good access.

At the other end the Soul EV has a well-developed electric motor and simple forward or reverse powertrain, electric steering and regenerative brakes with variable recharging with front wheel drive.

It has a heat pump instead of conventional power sapping climate control system and cruise control is standard to optimise economy.

Over a fairly short route we recorded 3.4 to 3.6 miles per KwH and Kia say the Soul EV is good for approximately 110 miles on a full charge, either overnight or in a quick power charge. That means for the average commuter you have a few days of use between charges.

From the driver's perspective there is nothing difficult or demanding to the Kia Soul EV. You get in, select drive on the automatic box and away you go, silently.

Pick-up is strong and consistent from rest to the legal limit and it cruises easily and quietly on dual carriageways up to 70mph.

Out of all the EVs I have driven the Soul EV is arguably the most similar to a conventionally powered model with an internal combustion engine and this was a deliberate decision of the designers.

It's built on the same Korean lines as the usual Soul models and it is likely to go about 1,500 UK customers a year.

The ride is comfortable and the complete absence of powertrain noises means you notice the road rumbles instead but also appreciate how well the chassis absorbs them. Visibility is good.

It's not the sharpest handling of family cars and is a little dead to the touch but it does grip well and never gave a moment's concern.

Secondary controls are straightforward as are the instruments but you have the additional ability to modify the EV system responses through the on-board computer and this can bring performance gains.

The Soul EV comes with sat nav, parking sensors, CD player and parking sensors with a rear-camera aid so you have all the weapons to fight urban battles.