Skoda Elroq review

Like Noah Cyrus, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Austin Swift, the Skoda Elroq has a better-known older sibling – but we doubt it'll be long before it's famous in its own right.

Perhaps more famous, in fact: while the Elroq is based on the same underpinnings as its big brother, the Skoda Enyaq, it’s a smaller, cheaper car, which opens it up to a wider audience.

It joins a raft of family electric SUVs to have hit the market in recent years, including the Renault Scenic and Tesla Model Y. Potential Elroq buyers might also be considering slightly smaller models such as the Kia EV3 and Volvo EX30.

Skoda Elroq vs Mini Aceman triple test video

The Elroq is also the first car to show off Skoda’s new design language, Modern Solid. Its main elements are a closed-off grille, narrow LED headlights and the Czech brand’s name spelt across the bonnet in place of a badge. We’ll leave it to you to decide whether it’s a good look.

We'll focus on running you through how well the Skoda Elroq stacks up objectively against rival family electric SUVs. Read on to find out how we rate it…

There are three versions of the Skoda Elroq to choose from, called the 50, 60 and 85. They're all rear-wheel-drive, single motor cars and produce 168bhp, 201bhp and 282bhp respectively. (No four-wheel-drive version will be offered in the UK.)

The Elroq's performance is pretty competitive for an electric SUV of its size. The 50 and 85 models we’ve driven so far provide smooth, progressive acceleration, with the 85 managing 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds at our private test track. Sure, it’s not as fast as a Volvo EX30 Extended Range, but it's significantly quicker than an equivalent Renault Scenic.

The standard suspension absorbs most minor imperfections well and delivers impressive body control on undulating country roads. However, we would recommend avoiding big 20in alloys if comfort is a top priority.

Indeed, for maximum comfort you can add Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension as part of the Driver Package on 85 Sportline cars, allowing you to adjust the suspension using the infotainment screen.

The Comfort mode does exactly what its name suggests, giving the Elroq a comfier ride than a Renault Scenic, a Tesla Model Y or a Volvo EX30. In its firmest setting, comfort isn't so impressive but body lean in corners is noticeably reduced. DCC is a relatively expensive optional extra, though, and most buyers won't consider the benefits worth the outlay.

Even without adaptive suspension fitted, the Elroq handles well for a family electric SUV and plenty of grip and a remarkably tight turning circle – it's far more nimble through quick changes of direction than an EV3 or Scenic. The steering is also well-weighted, and becomes progressively heavier as you increase speed.

Unfortunately, the Elroq’s brake pedal has a spongy feel to it, with plenty of travel before the brakes engage. The same is true of other VW Group electric cars – including the Cupra Tavascan – and it’s mostly down to the regenerative braking system.

You can minimise the effect by increasing the strength of the regen braking with the paddles behind the steering wheel. Annoyingly, though, the paddles are only standard on Sportline models, although you can add them as an option on SE-L trim and above.

The Kia EV3 and Tesla Model Y have a more progressive-feeling brake pedal, and also allow for one-pedal driving (which the Elroq doesn't).

The Elroq strikes back with impressive refinement. During testing at our private track, it proved fractionally quieter at 70mph than both the EV3 and Scenic, with minimal road noise intruding into the cabin. The only audible disturbance was a faint flutter of wind around the door mirrors.

As a result, big journeys should be relaxed and stress-free – an important consideration given the Elroq's long-distance credentials.

The Elroq 50 has a 52kWh (usable capacity) battery and an official range of 232 miles, while the 60 gets a larger 59kWh unit that lifts range to 260 miles. The 85 model gets the longest range, with a 77kWh battery and an official range of 360 miles.

That's further than the Smart #1 Premium (283 miles) and Volvo EX30 Extended Range (295), but not as far as a Long Range Kia EV3 (up to 375 miles) or Renault Scenic Long Range (up to 379 miles).

“Based on my average efficiency while testing a Skoda Elroq, a range of 250 miles in the 85 version should be easily achievable in the winter.” – George Hill, Used Car Writer

The driving position in the Skoda Elroq is generally excellent. True, some alternatives, including the Tesla Model Y, sit you up a little higher to give you more of an SUV feel, but the relationship between the seat, pedals and steering wheel is spot on.

We also like that the Elroq's front seats have more side-bolstering than you’ll find in a Renault Scenic or Model Y to hold you in place better through the bends. In short, everything feels well thought out, right down to the small digital driver's display that remains unobstructed regardless of how you position the steering wheel.

The Elroq has a relatively deep dashboard and shallow-angled front pillars, but visibility at junctions is no more restricted than in a Model Y or VW ID 5. Rear visibility is less impressive due to the relatively small rear window – an issue that blights many streamlined SUVs. 

Fortunately, all Elroqs come with rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. You can add front parking sensors by stepping up to SE L trim. The Maxx Package on Edition and SportLine cars adds a 360-degree camera and an self-parking system. 

Design-wise, if you’ve ever sat in an Skoda Enyaq, you’ll find that the Elroq’s interior looks very familiar, with a similar dashboard and a big 13in infotainment touchscreen. The screen has sharp graphics and a relatively intuitive lay-out, and there are configurable shortcut tabs at the top and bottom.

Overall, the infotainment system is much easier to operate than the overly complicated setup in the Mini Countryman Electric. That said, the infotainment systems in the Kia EV3 and Renault Scenic are even better.

The Elroq gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring as standard, plus three USB-C ports in the front. If you want wireless phone-charging with a cooling function and two USB-C ports in the rear, you’ll need to step up to Edition trim.

Disappointingly, you control the air conditioning using the infotainment touchscreen. We’d prefer physical buttons and dials like you get in the EV3 and Scenic, but at least the temperature icons are permanently on display.

Interior quality is, for the most part, very good, with soft-touch plastic on the upper part of the dashboard and the tops of the door. If you go for the entry-level Loft design option, there's padded fabric with contrast stitching on the lower part of dashboard and centre console.

The Lodge design option (available on SE L or Edition cars) introduces a two-tone black and light grey faux leather interior with orange seat belts. Meanwhile, Suite (also available on SE L and Edition cars) adds some leather upholstery.

“I found the Skoda Elroq's optional head-up display – part of the Advanced Package – really useful because it projects navigation direction on to the windscreen directly in front of your eyes.” – George Hill, Used Car Writer

The Skoda Elroq does a good job when it comes to storage space. The "floating" console between the front seats, for example, includes a tray beside the gear selector, another tray in front of the cupholders and a large area beneath the whole assembly. The door bins are large and lined with felt so your possessions don't rattle around when you're driving.

Passenger space up front is also very good, but it’s in the back seats where the Elroq really impresses. Even a six-footer will have plenty of head and leg room to spare when sitting behind a similarly tall driver, while the rear seats themselves offer a touch more under-thigh support than you’ll find in a Renault Scenic or Tesla Model Y.

Better still, because the Elroq was designed from the ground up as an electric car, it has a flat floor, allowing three passengers to sit side by side in relative comfort. It makes you wonder why you’d ever need to upgrade to the larger Skoda Enyaq.

In terms of boot capacity, the Elroq is more middle of the pack. At 470 litres, its boot is bigger than the smaller Kia EV3's (460 litres) but smaller than a Scenic's (545 litres). We managed to squeeze seven carry-on suitcases into the boot of the Scenic (below the parcel shelf) compared to six in the Elroq.

Disappointingly, unlike a Model Y or EV3, the Elroq doesn’t have a front boot under its bonnet. Therefore we'd recommend adding the reasonably priced Transport Package, which includes a net under the parcel shelf designed to store your charging cable. It also adds a height-adjustable boot floor which, in its highest position, gives you more underfloor storage and reduces the size of the lip at the boot entrance, making it easy to load and unload heavy items.

Like an the Skoda Enyaq, the Elroq has 60/40 split-folding back seats, which are not as versatile as the 40/20/40 split seats in a Renault Scenic. You do get a ski hatch, though, and while the seat backs don’t lie completely flat when folded down, the slight incline doesn’t present much a problem when loading longer items.

“Skoda’s Simply Clever features are genuinely useful, but it is a little odd that while an ice scraper and umbrella are standard with the Elroq, the charging cable net is an optional extra.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Not only is the entry-level 50 version of the Skoda Elroq cheaper than its closest electric SUV rivals – ranging from the Renault Scenic to the Tesla Model Y – but it’s also cheaper than entry-level versions of smaller models, including the Kia EV3, the Smart #3 and the Volvo EX30. 

If you’re a cash buyer, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Scenic is expected to depreciate at a slower rate than all of those alternatives, but the Elroq’s monthly PCP finance deals are still very competitive.

The Elroq is available in a choice of four trims: SE, SE L, Edition and Sportline. Entry-level SE – which is available only in combination with the 50 battery – is reasonably well equipped, with 19in alloy wheels, a two-spoke steering wheel, LED headlights, single-zone climate control, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors fitted as standard.

SE-L trim (available only with the 60 battery) adds a few more goodies, including a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, selectable driving modes, adjustable regenerative braking and front parking sensors.

Our favourite Edition trim (available with both the 60 and 85 battery) adds with adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and wireless phone-charging.

Meanwhile, range-topping Sportline (also available on both 60 and 85) gets sportier styling, 20in alloys, adaptive LED headlights, sport front seats, a three-spoke steering wheel and a powered tailgate.

In terms of options, we’d recommend the reasonably priced Transport Package. If you do lots of miles, it might also be worth considering the optional EV heat pump (available on SE L trim and up). It's not cheap but should help to improve efficiency.

The Elroq 85 has a maximum charging rate of 175kW and its battery can be topped up from 10-80% in 28 minutes. The 50 and 60 versions have a slower peak charging rate (of 145kW and 165kW respectively) but because of their smaller batteries, the 10-80% charge time is about the same. 

Using a regular 7kW home EV charger, the Elroq 50 takes around eight hours to charge from 0-100%, while the range-topping 85 model takes around 12 hours. 

The Elroq hadn't been tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP at the time of writing, but even the cheapest version comes with lots of safety kit, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), traffic-sign recognition, a driver attention warning system, blind-spot monitoring and plenty of airbags. 

The Elroq was too new to feature in the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, but Skoda finished in 13th place (out of 31 brands) in the overall manufacturer league table. That’s above MG (31st) and Vauxhall (29th), but below Kia (11th), Hyundai (10th) and Renault (ninth).

Every Elroq comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, while the main battery is covered by a separate eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. If the battery falls below 70% of its original usable capacity during that time, Skoda says it will fix the problem free of charge.

“I think it's disappointing that Skoda charges extra for a heat pump, even on the most expensive versions of the Elroq.” – George Hill, Used Car Writer

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