Kia EV3 is a family-friendly electric SUV with 372 miles of range for £36k — it’s a game-changer

I GET a lot of “fan mail” doing this job.

Mostly complimentary, which is nice, thank you. Brightens my day and gives me good ammo for a pay rise.

But one or two emails aren’t so kind.

Like the driving instructor who got the hump because I taught my son to drive without any proper lessons.

Another bloke accused me of being “paid by car firms to promote EVs” because I write about them so much.

No, mate.

Smell the coffee.

Manufacturers stopped developing petrol and diesel engines for this part of the world some time ago. Because they had to.

That’s why every new car we try is either electric, plug-in hybrid or a petrol “final edition”.

Do you want me to write about three-year-old Ford Fiestas every week?

All of which brings me nicely to today’s big review.

Yes, another electric car. But it’s a really good one.

Quite possibly the tipping point for families wondering whether to go EV next.

Here’s why.

Kia’s junior SUV, called EV3, costs much the same as a mid-range Volkswagen Golf at £36k and genuinely nudges 372 miles on a full charge.

THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO MILES.

You might need to recharge it once every two weeks.

Expect finance deals from around £12 a day.

So, price and convenience on a par with a petrol Golf, what about the car itself?

All gravy.

Citroen-like comfort, Merc-like tech, lots of space in all directions, lots of recycled materials, cup holders and charge ports galore, bigger boot than a Golf. Plus another one under the bonnet.

Keeps you updated

And, being a Kia, there are proper buttons to adjust the volume, air con and to warm your back and pinkies.

This is a car that wants to be your friend. It keeps track of your average speed through roadworks to avoid an appointment with the JP.

 It tells you exactly how many miles you’ve got left depending on your driving behaviour.

Then, when you do need to stop to recharge, you can recline the driver’s seat — there’s a special relaxation mode button thingy — and watch YouTube on the big screen.

It’s got wireless Apple CarPlay and a bangin’ sound system to play Be Here Now on repeat. Did you get a ticket?

Then, when you do need to stop to recharge, you can recline the driver’s seat — there’s a special relaxation mode button thingy — and watch YouTube on the big screen.

There’s even a slide-out table for your Maccy D’s.

EV3 also doubles as a mobile power bank at the weekend for inflating a kettle or boiling an airbed. Just making sure you’re still with me.

Out on the road, the acceleration is as smooth as you like and the pillow-soft suspension makes life decently comfortable.

 Flappy paddles adjust levels of braking regeneration. So if you’re good at anticipating traffic flow, you’ll hardly ever touch the foot brake. Reversing cameras help you park like a pro.

Four-wheel drive and spicy GT versions follow later, but you don’t need them.

Actually, you might not need the long-range 81kWh battery either.

The base EV3 at £33k has a 58kWh battery that will do 267 miles, but otherwise is the same.

Whichever you choose, you’re getting an awful lot of car for the money. An EV with no compromises.

Like your emails.

Coming soon...

NEXT up is EV4, EV5 and PV5, Kia’s first van. All in showrooms by November next year.

As one might expect, EV1 and EV2 will be smaller and cheaper. EV2 is due in 2026 costing £25k. EV1 around £20k. But that’s not happening any time soon.

I had a natter with Kia president Ho Sung Song (nine-handicap golfer, likes a beer) and he said: “Our aim is to provide Kia’s unique value to as many people as possible.”