Skoda has entered the popular electric SUV market with their all-new elroq SUV, featuring their modern solid design language and featuring a Tech Deck front face to house cameras and sensors.
Rear-wheel drive with multiple battery sizes and output options available ranging from 52kWh up to the more powerful 71 kWh option with its 201bhp motor, this vehicle provides rear drive comfort.
Features
The exterior design features a distinctive Tech-Deck Face and upgraded LED Matrix beam headlights, while its gently sloping roofline and aerodynamic wheels contribute to a drag coefficient of just 0.26. Meanwhile, inside you’ll find Skoda’s Modern Solid design language reflected with features like its large central display, digital cockpit, intuitive connectivity features such as driver assistance features as well as spacious boot storage capacity of up to 1,580 litres when rear seats are folded plus Simply Clever storage solutions – great features that reflect Skoda’s Modern Solid design language!
The Elroq dashboard looks similar to that of its Enyaq predecessor, featuring a large 13-inch infotainment screen dominated by a chatbot and featuring physical dials dotted about. Older touchscreen systems may feel outdated by today’s standards but feature widely spaced buttons that make for easy pressing/selection, with newer ones even offering an augmented reality head-up display feature. Furthermore, four variants are available of which each have differing battery capacities and power outputs.
Design
Skoda’s Elroq will serve as an electric alternative to their Karoq SUV and aim to appeal to families by offering plenty of features at a competitive price. Available with different battery sizes and power outputs and boasting up to 348 miles range when fully charged, Skoda hopes its Elroq will meet this objective.
Inside, many features reminiscent of the Enyaq are present, including its 13-inch infotainment screen and 5-inch digital cockpit display with updated software. There’s also a head-up display function as well as the option for selection using a knob.
Driving position of the Enyaq SUV was similar to its current incarnation, providing a commanding view of the road ahead. Storage in doors and centre console was plentiful as was its 470-litre cargo space – though smaller than Explorer. On our quick spin around hills it proved well behaved with only some body lean during tight corners.
Performance
Skoda has stuck closely to its MEB formula with the Elroq, creating an experience that feels familiar behind the wheel as well as from a passenger seat perspective. There’s plenty of storage and a five-inch digital dash reminiscent of Enyaq that provide ample comfort when driving it.
There’s no motor whine and, even on 20in wheels, only an exceptionally harsh bump can alter its ride quality – making this Ford Explorer significantly suppler and far less jittery than Model Y.
Regenerative braking on the electric drivetrain can be set for either single pedal operation or auto mode, which automatically adjusts depending on factors like approaching junctions and vehicle in front braking. We found the latter slightly inconsistent; likely this needs further software tweaks before production sign-off is finalised.
Elroq features include a net for keeping charging cables neatly tucked under its parcel shelf, as well as an innovative boot lid opener which opens automatically with just a foot gesture. These intelligent solutions make this vehicle stand out in an increasingly competitive EV market where Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID all compete against each other for sales.
Price
Skoda markets the Elroq as a practical everyday SUV, and it certainly looks that way. Its distinctive appearance includes closed-off front end with LED Matrix headlights featuring dynamic indicators – part of Skoda’s new design language. Inside, its digital cockpit and big central display look modern; there is ample seating space and features from Skoda’s Simply Clever initiative like a multi-position boot storage net which doubles up as charging cable holder.
Entry-level 50 models feature a 52kWh battery with 170hp motor that delivers an official WLTP range of up to 230 miles, while midrange 60 models boast larger 59kWh batteries with 204hp for longer WLTP range of 385 miles. Top-spec 85 versions boast massive 77kWh batteries with 285hp giving an incredible 560 mile range; in many markets the Elroq even achieves list price parity with its Karoq ICE counterpart! The Elroq also represents excellent value with competitively priced models offering list price parity when compared with their Karoq ICE counterpart.