Skoda Elroq long-term test: report 1

The car Skoda Elroq Edition 85 Run by George Hill, Used Cars Writer

Why it’s here To find out whether Skoda’s smallest electric SUV can deliver the all-round greatness it promises

Needs to Be comfortable, practical and easy to live with in a city. A good real-world range will be important, too 

Miles covered 760 List price £38,650 Target Price £33,840 Price as tested £44,485 Official range 360 miles Test range 293 miles Options fitted Advance Package (£4150), Velvet Red metallic paint (£1065), 20in Vega silver alloy wheels (£620)

11 July – Nervous excitement 

Winning an Oscar is no easy feat. It’s one of the most competitive and prestigious awards in the entertainment industry, with hundreds of contenders competing for only a small number of awards. Only the best actors and actresses win them. 

I mention this because my new company car is already a What Car? Award winner, having fended off a large number of electric SUV rivals to secure its victory. Specifically, I’m referring to our Family Electric SUV of the Year – the Skoda Elroq.

I will admit, I’m feeling ever so slightly smug with my choice, because this is one of the best new cars you can buy. That said, my smugness is mixed in with a few nerves, because I’ve never owned an electric car before, so I’m intrigued to see whether it suits my lifestyle or not. As a resident of London, I don't have a driveway (like a third of UK households, according to charging app Zap Map), so I’ll be heavily reliant on the public charging network.

This leads me to the version I’ve chosen, because I’ve gone for the Elroq with the biggest battery. There are three versions available: the 50, 60 and 85. While the 60 might have been just about sufficient for my needs, with its 59kWh (usable) battery and 260-mile official range, I felt the 85 version would give me more peace of mind on my regular trips out of town. It has a large, 77kWh battery and a lengthy official range of 360 miles. That’s up there with the best-in-class, including the Kia EV3 (375 miles) and Renault Scenic (379 miles), but I’ll be intrigued to see how it fares in real-world use, both in cold and warm weather. 

Choosing the 85 version doesn’t just give me a good range, because it also gets me a big chunk of power. While it’s not as powerful as the 335bhp four-wheel drive Skoda Elroq vRS, my car still produces a healthy 282bhp from its single electric motor, which drives the rear wheels.

On paper, 0-62mph takes 6.6sec – but we achieved 6.2sec on our private test track. Sure, it’s not as quick as the rear-wheel drive Tesla Model Y, but it still bodes well for motorway slip roads and occasional overtakes.

Besides, I’d much prefer my electric SUV to prioritise comfort over sporty driving, which is exactly what the Elroq does. This is one of the most comfortable cars in the class, with the suspension providing more cushioning than a Model Y or Volvo EX30. While the optional 20in Vega alloy wheels I’ve chosen do take some softness away from the ride (the 19in alloys have much thicker side walls), it’s still mighty comfortable. I also think they look much better than the standard wheels, even though I paid £620 for the privilege.

And what about other options? Well, I have been a little bit impulsive, having chosen the Velvet Red metallic paint to go with the silver alloys. It’s an expensive choice at £1065, but I think it’s worth it, being a more exciting and eye-catching colour than the other, more monotone options.

More importantly, I’ve gone for the Advance Pack. It's a very pricey option at £4150, but this adds a lot of useful extras, including a head-up display, a 360-degree reversing camera, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat (with two-person memory) and a powered tailgate. It even builds on the car’s already impressive practicality, with two cargo nets in the boot and additional storage cubbies.

I’m feeling a bit spoiled, because the Edition trim I’ve chosen isn’t exactly poorly equipped. Far from it, in fact; it comes with a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and a wireless phone-charging pad.

All cars come with a 13in touchscreen infotainment system, too. While we haven’t had the best experience with Volkswagen Group infotainment systems in the past, with their touch-sensitive sliders and clunky menus (in the VW ID 5, for example), this is the latest iteration of the group’s efforts, so I’m looking forward to getting to know it a bit better. Initial impressions are good so far; the graphics are sharp and the touch-screen response is snappy.

While my car clearly comes with a lot of bells and whistles, I’m really looking forward to properly testing it out in less glamorous areas. After all, Skodas are some of the most practical cars you can buy, with my Elroq having a sizable 470-litre boot and spacious back seats.

It’s going to be an interesting couple of months, then. However, while the Elroq has rightly earned its What Car? Award from our experienced team of reviewers, I’m looking forward to seeing whether it can deliver a red-carpet experience when living with it everyday.

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