First drive: Skoda’s new Elroq bolsters this brand’s EV offering

Skoda has come on leaps and bounds over the years, and the latest offerings are by far its best yet.

The new Elroq SUV joins the firm’s lineup as the brand’s newest electric model to sit beneath the larger Enyaq in the range.

The Elroq will be going up against cars like the Volvo EX30 and Peugeot e-300. But can it come out on top? We’ve been finding out.

The batteries for the car are positioned low under the car, allowing for a completely flat floor which helps with space inside for occupants.

Compared to the larger Enyaq, the Elroq is around 160mm shorter than its bigger brother and it’s the first EV from the firm to use the ‘Modern Solid’ design language. But, what’s it like overall? We’ve been finding out.

We’re driving the more powerful ‘85’ model that utilises a 77kWh battery pack with an electric motor located on the rear axle. It gives out a total of 282bhp and 545Nm of torque, while acceleration is brisk, taking just 6.4 seconds to get from 0-60mph before topping out at 111mph. Skoda claims that this version can do a total distance of up to 360 miles.

It also comes as standard with DC rapid charging of speeds of up to 175kW, taking 28 minutes to receive a 10 to 80 per cent top-up.

As with lots of electric cars, the Elroq is quiet wherever it goes. We’re driving the more powerful 85 model that comes with a 77kWh battery pack and electric motor, which is very smooth under acceleration and is relatively pokey.

Its refinement is excellent, with only the faintest bit of tyre roar entering the cabin on the motorway. The steering input is a little vague but has a nice weight to it and doesn’t feel artificial. The Elroq corners well with limited body lean around the bends and there is sufficient grip, too.

What lets the car down is the ride, which feels unsettled and fidgety. That’s largely down to our test car’s larger 20-inch alloy wheels. But, visibility is good all around with large rear windows, with the only gripe being the thicker rear C-pillars.

The Elroq’s driving experience is particularly relaxing and smooth, if a little anonymous, but for everyday use, it’s a rather composed and capable EV.

It essentially means that the front end is smoothed off with no radiator grille and there is brand-specific lettering for the badge positioned at the front of the bonnet.

The Elroq looks rather like an Enyaq that has been on a diet, but that doesn’t mean the car is unattractive.

There’s a leather effect on the dashboard and our Sportline test car has carbon fibre inlays on the door cards and above the glove box lid.

There is a five-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 13-inch central touchscreen which is slick and easy to use, but the touch sensitive volume bar and the fact that a lot of the climate control settings are buried within the screen is still an issue for a lot of models that are owned by the Volkswagen Group.

As with all Skoda vehicles, you’ll find plenty of ‘Simply Clever’ features inside the Elroq. There is a handy parking ticket holder located on the front windscreen, an umbrella in the driver’s door and an ice scraper in the rear boot lid.

Space in the back is impressive with lots of head and legroom for even taller adults. Thanks to the completely flat floor, passengers will find they can sit comfortably, as well as being able to slide their feet under the front seats.

The Elroq’s boot capacity is one of the largest in its class, boasting a total capacity of up to 470 litres of space, or 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded. A handy ski hatch also allows longer items to be stowed through the seats and for an added option, you can have a charging cable net secured to the parcel shelf.

The range kicks off at £31,500, making it cheaper than its rivals like a Peugeot e-3008 and Volvo EX30.

Entry-level SE cars come with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED head and tailights, the 13-inch infotainment screen that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as ChatGPT.

We’re driving the flagship Sportline model, which comes in at £37,400 with the smaller 62kWh battery pack, or £41,600 for the larger 82kWh unit. It focuses more on a sportier exterior and interior with 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior detailing, sports front bucket seats and a perforated leather steering wheel that is heated, too.

Skoda will certainly succeed with its new Elroq. Not only does it undercut some of its biggest rivals on price, but it’s also decent to drive while offering lots of space and handy interior storage solutions with a premium interior with recycled materials.

It offers a wide number of battery options, with decent electric ranges on all versions and it even looks rather handsome in any colour or specification. If you’re looking for a mid-size electric SUV, the Elroq certainly should have a place on your shortlist.