Skoda Elroq prototype review

01/07/2024

Intro

Even if you’re wedded to car news, the onslaught of new models from various manufacturers might appear bewildering. To be clear, then, this forthcoming Skoda Elroq is the company’s smallest electric SUV.Think of it as the electric equivalent of the Skoda Karoq, which, for all you ICE fans, remains on sale.

Design

In fact, it’s about the same size as the Ford Explorer. It sits on the same MEB platform too. Overall, it’s about 160mm shorter than the Skoda Enyaq. The reduction comes from reduced overhangs, because the Elroq’s wheelbase is very similar to its bigger sibling's.

The design, however, is not. It’s a new, overarching theme that Skoda’s calling ‘Modern Solid’. Not that we’ve seen it in all its glory yet: the test cars were full-camo pre-production models. Still, having scrutinised them up close and listened to the designer describing the details, here’s what we’ve gleaned.

The nose features what Skoda’s calling its Tech-Deck Face. This signifies an all-LED, split-light design, with the upper daytime-running lights part of a light bar that runs the car’s width. The lower headlights flank a gloss-black panel (instead of an open grille) housing sensors for the safety assistance systems. Skoda says those systems have been refined, by the way.

Aero plays a big part, naturally. The clamshell bonnet, with ‘Skoda’ spelled out across its leading edge in place of a badge, is heavily sculpted. It leads to a raked-back windscreen that flows into an almost Evoque-like sloping roof, finished off with a spoiler. Particular attention was paid to closing the gap between the tyres (wheel sizes range from 19in to 21in) and the bodywork, which, Skoda says, is key to the Elroq parting the air neatly enough to achieve a Cd of 0.26.

The entry-level version is the 50 (model names indicate battery sizes). It has 168bhp and is likely to come in at £35,000. Next is the 60 with 201bhp, but we drove the 85. That has 281bhp and, like the others, is rear-wheel drive. There’s also a twin-motor four-wheel-drive version with 295bhp called the 85x.

Skoda says both 85 models can do 348 miles on a charge, then charge at up to 175kW. It’s not confirmed, but the 50 should do about 230 miles, the 60 around 250 miles, and both charge at about 130kW. Taking the varying battery capacities into account, all Elroqs will boost from 10% to 80% in around 25 minutes. To achieve that, there’s battery pre-conditoning. It’s activated either manually or automatically if there’s a charge stop on the navigation route.

Interior

Because the Elroq still hasn't been officially revealed, we can't show you pictures of the inside yet, but think Enyaq for the architecture. The trim levels and design options will be similar too, featuring plenty of sustainable materials. You’ll have to wait if you want the Sportline and vRS models. Those arrive later. The 5.0in driver’s display and 13.0in infotainment screen are also Enyaq carry-overs, but the Elroq’s software hadn’t been signed off when we drove the car.

The 470-litre boot matches the Explorer’s but lags behind the Renault Scenic’s. Rear leg room isn’t as generous as the Scenic’s either, but the Elroq is still plenty roomy enough for four tall adults. There’s also a handy 48 litres of cabin storage, a wireless charging pad and a sprinkling of 45W USB-C points. As far as kit goes, what’s available will mirror largely what you get with the Enyaq, albeit with no panoramic roof option. There’ll be a Tesla-style remote parking app, though.

Performance

The 85’s brisk initially. We’d gauge 0-62mph in the mid-6sec mark, but thereafter the acceleration wanes. Off the line, that performance is easy to meter. Traction’s good too, but give it a poke mid-bend and the rear squirms before the ESC calms things down. Overall, it’s an effortless drive rather than overtly fun. The brakes are the only disappointment. They’re not Ford Mach-E bad, but the inconsistency at the top of the pedal makes you to think about your stops.

Ride and handling

Our test route involved mostly meandering about Amsterdam, so claiming to understand every dynamic detail would be a fib. The main takeaway is the Elroq feels very Enyaq-esque. It’s quiet, supple and less aggressively damped than the Explorer – greater vertical movement off speed bumps being the tell-tale there. The oh-so-brief higher-speed sections showed it’s composed at speed, though.

It leans a little more than the Explorer and has a slightly lazier, but not languid, turn-in. Overall, the steering’s nicely weighted, direct and accurate – just not particularly feelsome.

Verdict

Basically, the Elroq is a smaller (and hopefully cheaper) Enyaq. Our prototype drive reveals it’s still a practical and comfortable EV. Easy to live with, then, but not overly exciting.