Skoda Elroq review

What does the Skoda Elroq have in common with brunch, Wikipedia and parasailing? Answer: the names of all four were created by combining two words.

In the case of Elroq, it’s a portmanteau of electric and Karoq. So you won’t be surprised to hear that it's an all-electric SUV that’s about the same size as the Skoda Karoq. As for where it sits in Skoda’s electric car line up, it slots in between the smaller, upcoming Skoda Epiq and the larger Skoda Enyaq.

Skoda Elroq video review

There are a few different versions to choose from: the entry-level one is comparable with the MG S5 and (slightly smaller) Kia EV3, while more expensive versions could be seen as rivals for the (larger) Smart #5 and Tesla Model Y. In the middle, there’s also the Renault Scenic.

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What’s new?

- December 2025: The entry-level Elroq 50 is dropped from the range

- February 2025: Elroq range expands with new SportLine trim, which is available with a range of either 263 or 355 miles

- January 2025: Elroq named Family Electric SUV of the Year in What Car? Awards

- October 2024: Skoda announces prices of new Elroq EV, which slots in below Enyaq in the line-up but still offers brand’s traditional huge space for people and luggage

How fast is it and which motor is best?

There are two power options to choose from, called the 60 and 85. Both are rear-wheel-drive, single-motor cars, but they produce 201bhp and 282bhp respectively. (If you want four-wheel drive you'll need the vRS version – to read about that see our Elroq vRS review).

The 60 responds keenly when you put your foot down, getting up to motorway speeds and keeping up with traffic with little trouble. The 85 is even quicker and managed 0-60mph in 6.2sec at a private test track. That's significantly swifter than an equivalent Renault Scenic and about the same as the MG S5 EV Long Range. 

We recommend the 85, but mainly due to its extra electric range (which we’ll get into a little later). 

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The Elroq's standard suspension absorbs imperfections in the road surface extremely well and delivers a controlled ride at all speeds. Combine this with impressive body control on undulating country roads and it feels calm and composed. That said, we'd recommend sticking with smaller 19in wheels: bigger 20in and 21in wheels amplify bumps just enough to introduce a mild level of fidget.

Alternatively, if you go for the 85 Sportline model (which gets 20in alloys as standard), you might want to consider adding Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension. It's available as part of the optional Driver Package and allows you to adjust how firm the car feels using the infotainment screen.

The DCC's Comfort mode does exactly what its name suggests, giving the Elroq a plusher ride than a Scenic or Tesla Model Y. In the stiffest setting cushioning is less impressive but body lean through corners is reduced noticeably.

Even without DCC, the Elroq handles well for an electric SUV. It doesn’t feel as tall as many SUVs and feels more nimble because of it, with plenty of grip and neat body control helping it deal with quick changes of direction better than a Kia EV3, S5 or Scenic. The steering is well-weighted and precise, and the turning circle is helpfully tight.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

The Elroq’s brake-pedal response is a bit more consistent than the MG S5’s and some other VW Group electric cars (most notably the Cupra Tavascan), so it's easier to come to a smooth stop from a high speed. That said, the response can still be a little grabby in stop-start traffic or when parking, and the EV3 and Model Y are more consistent at all speeds.

Regenerative braking is standard to harvest back a small amount of electrical energy to top up the battery when you lift off the accelerator pedal. The braking effect activates smoothly without being too sudden, and you can increase the strength by twisting the Elroq’s gear selector into B mode. Many rivals (including the S5) offer a wider range of strengths and also allow for one-pedal driving.

During our back-to-back testing, the Elroq proved fractionally quieter at 70mph than the EV3, S5 and Scenic. Road noise is minimal, and the only issue was a faint flutter of wind from around the wing mirrors. As a result, long journeys should be relaxing and stress-free.

What’s the range and efficiency like, and how quickly can it charge?

Speaking of long journeys, the Elroq 60 will officially travel 267 miles on a full charge and the 85 version up to 355 miles. Those are good figures: the latter isn’t far off the Smart #5 (366 miles), EV3 Long Range (375 miles) and Scenic Long Range (379 miles).

If you do lots of miles, it might be worth considering the optional EV heat pump (available on SE L trim and up). It's not cheap but should improve efficiency in cold weather.

The Elroq 85 has a maximum charging rate of 175kW and its battery can be topped up from 10-80% in 28 minutes. The 60 version has a slower peak charging rate (of 165kW) but because it has a smaller battery, their 10-80% charge times are about the same. 

Using a regular 7kW home EV charger, the Elroq 60 takes around seven hours to charge from 0-100%, while the 85 model needs around 12 hours.

“I like that Sportline models let you adjust the strength of the Elroq's regenerative braking using paddles on the steering wheel but I wish they were standard across the range.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

The Skoda Elroq has a smart, minimalistic interior that’ll be familiar to anyone who’s come across the larger Skoda Enyaq. We particularly like the Lodge design option (available on SE L or Edition cars): it has a two-tone black and light grey faux leather interior with orange seat belts. In other words, it brightens up the interior with a splash of colour. 

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 doors that feel denser than those used in an MG S5. 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. Meanwhile, the Suite design option (available on SE L and Edition cars) includes some leather upholstery. Still, for an even plusher interior, check out the Smart #5.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

The driving position in the Skoda Elroq is generally excellent. True, some alternatives, including the Kia EV3, MG S5 EV and 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 an S5, Renault Scenic or Model Y, holding you in place better through the bends. In short, everything feels well thought out, right down to the fact that however you position the steering wheel, you get a clear view of the digital driver's display.

It is a slight shame that the display isn’t much bigger, though. At 5.0in, it's clear enough, and you can scroll to view a range of information, but the ones in the EV3 and S5 are much larger; allowing you to view much more at the same time, while the Scenic’s also offers a wide range of lay-outs.

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 Volkswagen 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 front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. The Advanced Package on Edition and Sportline cars bring a 360-degree camera while the Maxx Package adds a self-parking system.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

As we mentioned, the Elroq’s interior is very similar to the Skoda Enyaq’s, with a similar dashboard and big (13.0in) 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 responds quickly enough and is much easier to operate than the overly complicated set-up in the Mini Countryman Electric. That said, the systems in the EV3 and Scenic are even better and the icons could be a bit bigger to make them easier to aim for.

The Elroq has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring plus two 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 touchscreen. We’d prefer physical buttons and dials like you get in the EV3, the S5 and Scenic, but at least the temperature icons are permanently on display and there's a physical shortcut button to take you to the main climate-control menu.

“I found the Elroq's optional head-up display, which is part of the Advanced Package, really useful. It projects your speed and navigation directions onto the windscreen directly in front of your eyes.” – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

How much space does it have for people?

The driver and front passenger get plenty of space, but it's in the back that the Skoda Elroq really impresses: even a six-footer will have plenty of head and leg room to spare when sitting behind a similarly tall driver. It’s on a par with the MG S5 EV, while the rear seats themselves offer more under-thigh support than 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. The middle occupant sits on a raised section of the seat base in both models, but at least it’s less firm and more comfortable than the S5’s.

How much room does it have for luggage?

There are lots of handy storage cubbies between the Elroq's front seats, with a two-tier centre console, plus door bins that are large and lined with felt so your possessions don't rattle around when you're driving.

In terms of boot space the Elroq is more middle of the pack. At 470 litres, its luggage capacity beats the Kia EV3 (460 litres) but is down on the Scenic (545 litres) and Smart #5 (630 litres). We managed to squeeze seven carry-on suitcases into the boot of the MG S5 and Scenic (below the parcel shelf) compared with six in the Elroq.

However, we recommend adding the reasonably priced Transport Package, which includes a net under the parcel shelf for your charging cable and a height-adjustable boot floor. It is a faff to lower the floor because you have to remove a foam tray containing all the charge cables and tyre pump beforehand, but in its lowest position, we managed to squeeze in eight carry-on cases.

Unlike an EV3 or a Model Y, the Elroq doesn’t have additional storage space under its bonnet, but the boot does have some useful features, including storage trays integrated into each side and a parcel shelf that you can position lower down, which is handy for piling coats on top without obscuring your rear windscreen.

The Elroq doesn’t offer the reclining backrest or sliding rear bench that can be found in some electric SUVs including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

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

“Skoda’s Simply Clever features are genuinely useful but I think it's odd that the charging cable net is an optional extra when an ice scraper and umbrella are standard.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

As of writing, the entry-level Skoda Elroq (badged SE L 60) costs around £34,000, making it pricier than an entry-level Kia EV3 or MG S5. However, they’re more the exception than the rule: the Renault Scenic, Smart #5 and Tesla Model Y all have more expensive starting list prices. 

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 those alternatives, but the Elroq’s monthly PCP finance deals are still very competitive.

The Elroq is available in a choice of three trims: SE L, Edition and Sportline. SE L has 19in alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. We’d stick with this trim, because it gets everything most people could ever want or need.

Edition trim has all of the above, plus adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and wireless phone-charging. Range-topping Sportline gets sportier styling, sport front seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, a powered tailgate and adaptive LED headlights that can stay on full beam without dazzling other road users.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

The Elroq was absent from our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey but Skoda finished in 16th place out of 30 brands in the manufacturer league table. That’s above Volkswagen and MG but behind Volvo, Kia and Renault.

Every Elroq comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which is less generous than the seven-year, 80,000-mile cover you get with an MG S5, or seven-year, 100,000-mile cover with a Kia EV6. The main battery is covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty and if the battery falls below 70% of its original capacity in that time, Skoda says it will fix the problem free of charge.

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

The Elroq has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and 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.

Security measures such as anti-theft alarms, towing protection and electronic immobilisers all work to deter thieves. The Elroq’s keyless entry system also uses "sleep mode" to stop relay attacks, but for maximum safety, using a Faraday pouch adds an extra layer of protection.

“I think it's disappointing that Skoda charges extra for a heat pump even on the most expensive versions of the Elroq.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Buy it if…

- You’re looking for a comfortable SUV that’s also enjoyable to drive

- You want a car that offers a lot of interior space, but isn’t especially big on the outside

- You have off-street parking, so can charge an electric car cheaply overnight

Don’t buy it if…

- You get annoyed by touchscreen-based controls

- You value the versatility that comes with sliding rear seats

- You tend to keep your cars for more than three years, so want a manufacturer warranty that lasts for longer than that

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