CZECH A TRADE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Skoda's compact yet versatile Elroq EV is might be an ideal second family car, thinks Jonathan Crouch.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 64

Skoda widens its EV offering with this compact, yet spacious family model, the Elroq. It slots in below the Enyaq, but still manages to feel like a more usably-sized family car than the other small VW Group EVs whose engineering it shares. If you've been holding back for a more versatile kind of smaller EV, this Czech contender could be worth trading up to.

Backgroundword count: 125

With the Elroq, Skoda's EV product offensive at last gets into gear, after a lull following the introduction of the brand's first electric model, the Enyaq, back in 2020. The Elroq's a smaller car, positioned as the electric alternative to the brand's lower mid-sized combustion-powered SUV, the Karoq. In EV terms, it's the Skoda version of the engineering that's also brought us similarly-sized VW Group EVs like the Volkswagen ID.3 and the CUPRA Born. But the Elroq's a little bigger and costs less. Perhaps even more significantly, it costs a lot less than its most obvious market rivals too. Sounds good so far. Add in a trendy new design language and very competitive EV range figures and there might be lots to interest you here.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 218

There's plenty of choice in the Elroq powertrain line-up - and a reasonable set of range figures. Like other VW Group models using the same MEB EV platform (but unlike quite a few of its other segment competitors), this Skoda is rear wheel-driven. Thereby offering manoeuvrability advantages you might notice around town. The line-up kicks off with the base 50 model, which uses a 170PS motor energised by a 52kWh battery offering 232 miles of range. Ideally though, you'd stretch at least as far as the mid-level Elroq 60, which offers a more powerful 204PS motor linked to a slightly bigger 59kWh battery that takes range to 260 miles. The top Elroq is the 85 model, which has a much more powerful 286PS motor and a considerably bigger 77kWh battery (borrowed from the Enyaq) which boosts range up to 360 miles. Other markets get an 85x model with dual motor 4WD, but there's no word yet on whether that will make it to the UK. Expect driving dynamics to prioritise comfort over sportiness - so in VW Group small EV terms, this Skoda's more Volkswagen ID.3 than CUPRA born. But refinement will be helped by the relatively sleek 0.26Cd drag factor figure, aided apparently by the attention paid to closing the gap between the tyres and the bodywork.

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