WITH an angular shape more akin to a bread van than sports model, you'd expect a fairly lethargic performance from the recently introduced Ford Explorer.

Not a bit of it. The Premium All Wheel Drive version we drove packs a harder punch than a Porsche Boxster, and would leave a Golf GTI trailing in its tyre tracks. That's electricity for youâ¦

The pure BEV is propelled by 79kWh battery that belts out no less than 337bhp, that's more than double the power of a family Focus.

Yet this five-door crossover with plenty of space for five adults and a decent-sized boot is pitched at similarly mumsy-looking high riders such as the Volvo EX40, Renault Scenic and perhaps the cheaper Skoda Elroq, all fully electric and sharing in the practical qualities of a family hold-all.

But the thump-in-the-back acceleration and huge toque of the Explorer in its most powerful guise are likely to come as a shock to unsuspecting drivers, more used to modest ICE power.

The so-often used benchmark stat of 0 to 62mph is clocked in a mere 5.3 seconds and the mid-range urge is similarly rapid thanks to the immediacy of torque available from the big battery. Lower powered versions of the Explorer may better suit some buyers.

Like most BEVs, it's eerily quiet with a complete absence of mechanical clatter and no squeaks or rattles. Just a whisper of wind noise and variable degree of intrusion from the fat low profile tyres, depending on the road surface.

The Explorer is actually a product of a liaison between Ford and VW - it sits on the German group's MEB platform used by the ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq.

The Ford steers precisely and sharply with a reasonably high-geared rack, but there's some body roll through bends which reminds you this is a taller than average car. Ride is generally well resolved but over patchy surfaces it becomes somewhat nervous.

As for the cabin, finish is good with decent soft-touch plastic mouldings but the accent is very much on minimalism with an absence of real switches and buttons , favouring haptic instead.

A large screen sits centrally between driver and passenger and contains countless tiny icons. It's difficult to read on the move and even more tricky to operate without taking your eyes off the road. The driving position is comfortable though the front seats are quite firm and there are multiple settings for the seat and steering wheel.

There are just two side window lift controls for the four windows, so to operate the rear ones the driver must press another button to activate them. Somewhat fiddly on the move.

The boot can absorb 470litres of luggage, slightly below the class average but the area is regularly shaped and the rear seat fold and split. There's additional space beneath the platform to store charging cables.