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 such, it’s smaller and cheaper than Skoda's other electric car model, the Skoda Enyaq.

The Elroq joins a raft of family-friendly electric SUVs to have hit the market in recent years, including the Renault Scenic and Tesla Model Y. Entry-level versions are priced competitively against the value-driven MG S5 EV as well as slightly smaller SUVs such as the Kia EV3 and Volvo EX30.

Skoda Elroq video review

The Elroq is the first car to show off Skoda’s latest design language, called Modern Solid. Its main elements are a closed-off front grille, narrow LED headlights and the Czech brand’s name spelt across the bonnet in place of a badge.

You can decide for yourself whether it’s a good look – in this review we'll focus on how well the Skoda Elroq stacks up in more objective areas, such as range, price and performance. Read on as we put it to the test against rival electric SUVs...

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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. (If you want four-wheel drive you'll need the vRS version – to read about that see our Elroq vRS review).

The 50 offers acceptable performance, but the 60 responds more 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 6.2 seconds 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 but not as fast as a Volvo EX30 Extended Range.

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, Tesla Model Y or EX30. 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, MG S5 or Scenic. The steering is well-weighted and precise, and the turning circle is helpfully tight.

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.

Speaking of long journeys, the Elroq 50 has a 52kWh (usable capacity) battery and an official range of 232 miles. Our preferred 85 model offers the longest official range of all, at 360 miles, thanks to a 77kWh battery. In the mid-level 60 version, we achieved a real-world range of 207 miles, almost identical to an MG S5 Long range tested on the same day (205 miles).

For comparison, the Smart #1 Premium is limited to 283 miles and the EX30 Extended Range 295 miles, although the EV3 Long Range has an official average of 375 miles and the Scenic Long Range up to 379 miles.

“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

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 to hold 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. At 5in, 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 that allow 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 rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. You can add front parking sensors by stepping up to SE L trim. The Advanced Package on Edition and Sportline cars bring a 360-degree camera while the Maxx Package adds a self-parking system.

Design-wise, you’ll find that the Elroq’s interior looks very familiar if you’ve ever sat in a Skoda Enyaq, with a similar dashboard and 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 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.

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. 

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) includes some leather upholstery.

“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 on to the windscreen directly in front of your eyes.” – George Hill, Used Cars Writer

There are lots of handy storage cubbies between the Skoda 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.

The driver and front passenger get plenty of space, but it's in the back that 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. 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, it’s less firm and more comfortable than the S5’s.

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). 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.

As 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

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 and Volvo EX30. A mid-level Edition 60 also compares well with a high-spec MG S5 EV Trophy Long Range.

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 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 and single-zone climate control.

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 and adjustable regenerative braking.

Our favourite Edition trim (available with the 60 and 85 batteries) has all of the above, plus adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and wireless phone-charging.

Range-topping Sportline (also available on the 60 and 85) 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.

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.

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 slower peak charging rates (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 85 model needs 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 our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey but Skoda finished in 13th place out of 31 brands in the manufacturer league table. That’s above Tesla 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.

“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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