IF you're a BEV virgin, you could be in for quite a shock.

Get behind the wheel of an all-electric car, floor the right-hand pedal and you take-off ⦠instantly. No build up or revs, no noise, just immediate forward propulsion. The linear-style power can come as quite a surprise, even in moderately powerful models like the Kia EV4 that we've been driving.

With 201bhp to play with the EV4 GT-Line whooshes, quite literally, to 62mph in under eight seconds. Not especially quick, you may think, but the manner in which is covers the distance is effortless and so silent.

Its striking looks have a sort of Marmite-effect on people - love it or hate it. One thing for sure, it's unlikely to be mistaken for anything else in the car park. And, unlike many of today's cars, it follows the traditional hatchback pattern rather than being an SUV.

At the forefront of most buyers' minds is the driving range - often an issue in BEVs. On this score the EV4 is ahead of most of the pack with an ability to cover no less than 388 miles between charges and it can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in 31 minutes.

Sharing much of its DNA with the more upright EV3, the EV4 has a slightly longer wheelbase which benefits legroom, particularly in the rear. It's also lower, giving it a squatter, more purposeful stance. Getting in and out, however, is no problem, thanks partly to wide opening doors.

The cabin is particularly spacious for five adults with generous legroom and a flat floor front and back. The driver sits behind a slightly odd-shape steering wheel with flattened top and bottom.

A large, long oblong screen stretches out behind the wheel containing infotainment and various controls with actual buttons nearby - a reasonable compromise between modern tech and every-day practicality. Finish is good and the chosen materials are of a high grade. Seats are comfortable and we had no difficulty in finding the right settings via the electric controls.

The hatchback boot can hold 435 litres of cargo which is about average for the class.

Despite its radical and racy looks, sportiness isn't really the essence of the EV4. Its forte is comfort and ease of driving and therefore the suspension is relatively soft which helps produce a good ride that copes well with poor surfaces.

There is some cornering roll but not enough to disturb either the passengers or the car's composure. Handling is responsive and predictable but lacks the athletic quality of say a MINI Countryman or a BMW 2 Series.

The top of the range GT-Line S is treated to all the bells and whistles, so you get electric adjustable front seats, Harman Kardon sound system, head-up display, collision avoidance system and powered tailgate.

4.6