Skoda Elroq 85 driving report: compatible with the masses

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This race will probably also be decided in the middle, where many customers are looking for a new car, and their rough description goes like this: SUV, length around 4.5 m, pragmatic, reasonably affordable or at least affordable. E-drive is an option, provided it is not too expensive to buy and charging can be integrated into everyday life in the long term. The success of the slightly larger Skoda Enyaq shows that the demand is there, as is the likelihood that it will be repeated in a smaller size. Despite plenty of competition on the market, the Skoda Elroq should have excellent chances. On a first short drive, it was generally convincing.

Plenty of space

The Elroq initially delivers reliably in the values attributed to the brand. At 4.49 m, it is slightly longer than a Skoda Karoq, but also offers a little more space. Even four adults can fit comfortably. The trunk holds between 470 and 1580 liters. The Elroq does not have a frunk, i.e. a storage compartment under the front hood, like the other Volkswagen models based on the Modular Electric Toolkit. A sliding rear seat bench would have been nice, but Skoda is currently unable to offer this in the Elroq. Apart from that, the SUV appears to be solidly built, has a decent interior and is equipped with comfortable seats that can be adjusted over a wide range.

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Skoda Elroq 85 (4 Bilder)

Easy to operate

Operation is also relatively intuitive. Ultimately, you have to familiarize yourself a little with almost every modern car, but Skoda doesn't set too high a hurdle. The system works sufficiently quickly, responds well to voice commands and offers what you can currently expect from a new car in this segment. The displays are clear and the floating navigation arrows are now easy to see, even in bright sunlight. In the base model, the navigation system is included together with a few other things in a sensibly put together package for 1510 euros, which almost all customers will probably order. The decision to completely withhold the optional heat pump in the top model from the variant with the small battery is strange. Such details show that the calculations were tight in order to achieve a base price of 33,900 euros.

Four drive systems planned

The top model with 210 kW, 545 Nm and 77 kWh battery was available for this first test drive. It costs exactly 10,000 euros more. If you adjust the scope of equipment, this leaves around 6500 euros. In return, the E-SUV delivers even better driving performance. The standard sprint should only take 6.6 seconds, with a top speed of 180 km/h. That is 20 km/h more than the base model. As expected, the Elroq 85, which weighs at least 2119 kg, feels very light-footed in everyday use. According to the factory specifications, the upcoming all-wheel drive model, also with 210 kW, is not even faster.

The future range will consist of four versions. Prices are currently only available for the base model and the version with a large battery and rear-wheel drive. The known key data:

	Elroq 50	Elroq 60	Elroq 85	Elroq 85x
Batterie in kWh	52	59	77	77
Reichweite in km	375	403	581	562
DC-Ladeleistung in kW	145	165	175	175
Leistung in kW	125	150	210	210
Preis	33.900	-	43.900	-

The battery has a net capacity of 77 kWh, which should be enough for up to 579 km in the WLTP. Skoda gives the consumption in the cycle as 15.2 to 16.6 kWh. During this first short drive, the consumption according to the on-board computer was 21.3 kWh/100 km. In practice, this results in a range of 350 km plus a certain reserve. Recharging takes place at a maximum of 175 kW. Preconditioning can be integrated into the route planning or triggered manually. Volkswagen has made some progress in this respect in recent years, and the battery can now also be charged at maximum power in winter. Unfortunately, Volkswagen leaves it at 11 kW of alternating current for all models on this basis. This means that you cannot make full use of what is possible at many public charging stations. A good idea is the net under the luggage compartment cover, into which the charging cables can be packed – so they are always to hand.

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Skoda Elroq 85 II (5 Bilder)

Skilfully tuned chassis

The Elroq offers four driving modes, which are noticeably different. Even in Eco mode, the e-SUV does not feel sluggish. Recuperation is variable and can be adjusted in three stages plus coasting using the paddles on the steering wheel. One-pedal driving to a complete standstill is not possible even in the strongest recuperation level. The suspension is well-balanced, but cannot deny a certain basic stiffness, although this does not have a negative effect when driving. The compromise that has been found suits a car that is intended to impress with its pragmatism without being too boring.

New situation on the market

The Elroq drives quietly and comfortably, offers enough space to convince as a family transporter and is a comparatively fair offer. This will also cause a stir internally, as the smaller Karoq with combustion engine can only keep up with the purchase price if the customer makes concessions in terms of performance and transmission. The Karoq base model with 85 kW and manual transmission currently officially costs 33,140 euros. If you want an automatic, the Karoq starts at 37,380 euros. This illustrates what the ICCT predicted a few months ago. In order to meet the fleet limits that will apply from 2025, manufacturers will be forced to significantly increase the proportion of electric cars in new car sales. Failure to do so could result in fines, which would hit mass manufacturers particularly hard. This is the reason why, with the Opel Frontera Electric, Kia EV3, Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and the Elroq, a number of electric cars are coming onto the market that no longer pose too high a hurdle for many prospective new car buyers.

(mki)