Kia’s new Soul EV is now available to order in the UK, priced from £33,795 inclusive of the £3500 government grant.

An SUV-shaped rival to electric hatchbacks such as the Nissan Leaf, the Soul EV is available at launch only in highly specced First Edition trim.

That comes as standard with a 10.3in touchscreen infotainment system, full LED headlights, leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display and keyless entry, to name but a few features.

First examples of the car are due to land on British shores during the first few months of 2020.

Alongside an updated design and new technology, the new Soul EV borrows a significantly uprated powertrain from the larger e-Niro crossover.

Its exterior design is an evolutionary step on: the familiar boxy profile from the previous generations remains, but new front and rear-end designs, plus fresh lighting signatures at both ends, mark out the Mk3 model.

Visual differences from the US-bound petrol-powered Soul include smoother and more aerodynamic upper designs, a blanked-off grille and restyled LED headlights. As with the old Soul EV, it also receives unique five-spoke 17in alloy wheels used for their aerodynamic properties, while the charging port has been integrated into the front bumper.

The 64kWh Soul EV borrows its electric motor and battery pack from the e-Niro, meaning a power output of 201bhp and 295lb ft – 81lb ft more than the outgoing car. Range is a claimed 280 miles from a single charge on the WLTP test cycle.

A less powerful variant, making use of a 39.2kWh battery pack coupled to a 134bhp electric motor, produces 291lb ft and can cover up to 172 miles on a full charge. Energy consumption is rated at 4.29mi/kWh for this standard model, compared with 3.96mi/kWh for the 64kWh.