Skoda Elroq review: Better than a Volkswagen?

Can Skoda’s new EV shake-up the burgeoning compact electric car class?

The new Elroq is the Czech marque’s second bespoke electric car and marks the firm’s assault on the compact crossover class, a move which it hopes will help bolster its position as Europe's fourth best-selling car brand.

It’s a similar size to the petrol and diesel Skoda Karoq that will continue to be sold alongside it, but with a 10% greater price tag. 

Skoda has already found success in the electric car market, with the bigger Enyaq SUV climbing to the very top of EV sales charts in Europe. But the Elroq’s task is undoubtedly harder Skoda looks to tempt its own customers at a price point they’re more accustomed to. 

There’s a plethora of rivals already baying for the attention of buyers, such as the Ford Explorer, Volvo EX30 and inbound Kia EV3. Is the Elroq up to the task?

At 4488mm long, 1884mm wide and 1625mm tall, the Elroq’s footprint is similar to the Ford Explorer, which means it’s a bit bigger than traditional family hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf so that it can accommodate a battery and more space for the family.

It’s underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s flexible MEB architecture, which is used by everything from the Audi Q4, Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID 3, and its bigger sibling, the Enyaq.

Various elements in the bodywork, including some moving parts, help reduce air resistance for a drag coefficient of 0.26Cd, which is better than that of the Peugeot e-408, but worse than the Tesla Model Y.

Opening the Elroq range is the 50 (model names are indicative of battery size) which is powered by a 52kWh battery and 125kW (170hp) electric motor. With a 370km (232-mile) range, it’s set to cost from £31,500 or 35,000 euros, which narrowly undercuts the Volvo EX30. 

There’s also a mid-level 60 model, with a 63kWh battery and 150kW (204hp) motor for a range of 418km (260 miles). 

Bookending the Elroq line-up is the 85 which gets a large 82kWh battery that promises an impressive 580km (360 miles) of range. 

All Elroqs can be charged from 10-80% in under 30 minutes using a rapid charger.

Like the Skoda Octavia, Superb and Kodiaq, the Elroq has a welcoming and pleasant cabin that balances robustness with a decent level of material quality.

You’ll find soft-touch materials on the top of the dashboard and doors, with the only let down being the cheap, nasty trim that spans the length of the dashboard.

Taking centre stage is the Elroq’s 13in touchscreen display, but happily the physical buttons that sit below the screen are handy for function-hopping on the move. There’s also a dedicated button for turning off systems like the speed limit warning sound and overzealous driver attention system.

The 5in digital drivers display (carried over from the Enyaq) in front of the steering wheel feels a little redundant, partly because it's too small and partly because the head-up display is so good.

The instrument cluster is useful for displaying different types of data, but the head-up display is so intuitive and clear that you’re barely ever looking down. 

There’s plenty of room up front, and the sports seats (standard fit in the 85 Sportline) are snug and comfortable. We had no issues with rear accommodation either, there’s enough space for even tall family members.

It also has a bigger boot than rivals like the Kia Niro EV and you get a handy charging cable storage net too.

Broadly speaking, the Elroq performs and handles as a compact electric SUV should. With an official 6.6sec 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time and 210kW (286hp), the Elroq 85 feels brisk and responds well to throttle inputs.

Off the line it's easy to modulate performance, with plenty of grip, albeit with the odd loss of traction from the driven rear wheels. 

The Elroq 50 makes do with a 125kW (168hp) electric motor, and compared to the 85 feels more sedate, as showcased by its adequate 9.0sec 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time.

The brakes are the only disappointment. There’s a bit of inconsistency at the top of the pedal which makes you think more about your stops.

But at least you can adjust the regenerative brakes to your preferred strength with the paddles behind the steering wheel – although this is exclusive to the 85 model. 

For a compact SUV, the Elroq is a surprisingly enjoyable car to drive down a twisty road. Sure, it can’t drum up the same level of engagement as hatchback rivals like the Cupra Born, but point it at a set of bends and it feels planted and secure, albeit with a little body roll. 

Of course, if you really push on you will start to notice its 2119kg (4672lbs) weight in the form of understeer.

The steering is well weighted and firms up as you apply more lock but doesn’t provide lots of feedback.

The Elroq is pliant and composed and irons out lumps and bumps with confidence. Our 85 Sportline model was fitted with the DCC adaptive chassis control and in comfort mode it handled both potholes and slight imperfections well. 

We had a brief drive of a lower-spec model without the adaptive suspension and there was a noticeable fuss and fidget to how it performed in comparison. 

The entry-level Elroq 50 starts from £31,500 or roughly 35,000 euros, but Skoda predicts the 60 model with the slightly larger battery will be the biggest seller. It is set to cost from £33,350 or 38,000 euros, which is less than the entry-level Hyundai Kona Electric. And even though its Korean rival can travel further, the shortfall in range is only small. 

Choose the Elroq 85 in Sportline trim and you’ll pay £41,600 or 45,000 euros, which also undercuts the range-topping Ford Explorer. 

As for running costs the Elroq 50 has an official efficiency figure of 15.9kWh/100km (3.9mpkWh); the ideal pick for those who’ll use the car strictly as an urban runaround. The 60 can achieve 16.4kWh/100km (3.8mpkWh).

The Elroq 85 impresses the most for its 15.5kWh/100km (4.0mpkWh) economy figure, although it can’t quite match the 14.8kWh/100km (4.2mpkWh) achieved by the Kia EV3.

DC charging speeds vary, with the Elroq 50 peaking at 145kW for a 25 minute 10-80% charge. The 60 can handle 165kW, while the range-topping 85 can accept 175kW. 

In many ways, the Elroq captures most of the Enyaq’s desirable traits and offers them in a smaller, and equally appealing package. 

Its cabin is spacious, practical and logically configured. It’s pleasant to drive thanks to its well-rounded chassis set up, and there’s enough performance on tap to please most drivers. 

Buyers will also be attracted to the Elroq because of its impressive range and efficiency, particularly the range-topping 85 model. And yet it also succeeds in being decent value for money with an attractive base price that undercuts several rivals. The interior technology is user friendly and intuitive, too. 

Naturally, there are some issues. Without adaptive dampers the standard Elroq is pretty firm, and the brake pedal is a little inconsistent. And like the Enyaq, certain options don’t come as standard, which means you’ll soon drive up the price of the car once you’ve added essential features like a heat pump. 

But overall, it stays true to the Czech brand's core principles thanks to its robust quality and no-nonsense approach. 

The Move Electric verdict: 8/10

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