Skoda Elroq, the one leading the electro dance

Škoda expands its electric range with the Elroq. It's an SUV like the Enyaq, but slightly smaller. It's also more aerodynamic. And that makes a huge difference. This road test of the 85 variant with a large battery is proof of this.

"Chief, we have a problem." My neurons couldn’t believe my eyes. By focusing on the available range with the half-empty battery of the Elroq 85, my naturally integrated calculator came to a surprising result. Especially since I had mainly been on the motorway (and the Brussels Ring limited to 100km/h). Before this realisation, and the need to check it, I had to get acquainted with the Czech. The Škoda Elroq is a 100% electric SUV slightly more compact than the Enyaq. It measures 4.49m in length, which is 16cm less than its big brother. Nonetheless, this car is capable of transporting an entire family. The space in the back should prevent yet another teenage complaint session. At least, the teenager won’t have to moan about legroom. No need to criticise the plastics either: they're made from recycled PET bottles.

At the front, the large 13-inch central touchscreen plays its strategic role in commands and infotainment. However, there are buttons for defrosting, automated parking, drive mode selection, and access to climate and driving assistance menus. For volume, it’s on the steering wheel or the touch bar under the screen. The steering wheel also offers a shortcut to driving aids to, for example, turn off the speed alert. Another button allows you to activate its heating. For cruise control, it's operated with a lever under the steering wheel, on the left. As for starting the car, it's a start/stop button placed where the key barrel used to be. The gearbox is operated with a slider between the seats.

Power under the bonnet

Our Škoda Elroq 85 has a 285 hp engine and 545 Nm driving the rear wheels. It's powered by a 77 kWh usable battery (82 kWh nominal capacity). And on the digital dashboard, when taking the vehicle, the range is clearly optimistic: 330 miles. However, after the first few miles, it doesn't seem to drop significantly. I then decide to push the Elroq onto a rolling motorway, maintaining 75 mph. And after 62 miles, the range has dropped by 84 miles. That being said, the consumption was such - fingers on the brink of 30 kWh/62 miles in "Normal" driving mode - that one can hope for just under 250 miles at this pace, in driving rain, but with mild temperatures. And here, I say bravo! Congratulations for the energy management as well as for the airflow control with an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.26, which is unusual for an SUV.

And in the boot

The brand aims to appeal to families with this model. Perhaps they will be reassured by the idea of being able to drive for 3 hours on the motorway (2h30 in winter) before inevitably having to take a DC charging break. This will take half an hour to recover 80% capacity (equating to 2 more good hours on the motorway). The theoretical 175 kW in fast charging turned into peaks at 121 kW for an average of 100 kW during our plugging in. At home on AC, it will be at 11 kW. Furthermore, the Elroq is and remains a Škoda. Thus, there are plenty of practical solutions on board, in a generous cabin. The same applies to the boot. Its volume is 470 l. It's possible to organise everything properly thanks to some very practical accessories. There's notably a net under the luggage cover to store the cable, instead of leaving it in a compartment under the floor. There's also a sort of blanket to hold bags in place so that they don't slide around on the floor, which can be protected by a rubber "mat".

Returning from a small shopping errand, it's, for example, possible to leave the groceries in handy little bins. The more observant will notice a QR code on the side. This is to access the vehicle's user manual and some explanatory videos. So if you get bored during charging, you'll have something to revise. The back seat can obviously be folded down to free up 1,580 l of usable space. This operation can also be done via buttons in the boot. The electric tailgate can be opened with a foot movement under the bumper. The brand's famous scraper, with markers for measuring tyre tread depth, is found in a housing integrated within the tailgate. And in the doors, there's of course the Škoda umbrella compartment.

A Brake Check

In any case, this car takes away part of the daily range anxiety. Over mixed routes, with anticipatory driving, one can expect more than 310 miles of range. Hence, the 355 miles WLTP touted by the manufacturer are not entirely unfounded. Especially as the brake pedal encourages anticipation. The right foot has the unpleasant sensation of sinking into soft ground, even when pushed sharply for emergency braking. The Elroq does brake, but the average driver's brain is nevertheless surprised during the initial braking attempts... and indeed with every subsequent one! Therefore, don't hesitate to use the steering wheel paddles to modulate regenerative braking and to simply decelerate by lifting off the accelerator.

Why doesn't Škoda offer a straightforward pedal attack? It's a mystery. Particularly since the steering is precise with variable assistance depending on the speed. Moreover, the car is genuinely dynamic. Not only does it accelerate vigorously (0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 s) with this 210 kW (285 hp) engine, but on top of that, the chassis keeps up with the pace. Excessive optimism activates the electronic safeguards without exaggeration. However, with each brake in sporty driving, there remains the uncertainty of a right foot feeling like it's sinking into semolina before the callipers are engaged. The only real downside to this comfortable and pleasant-to-drive car.

At the checkout

The Škoda Elroq offers an entry-level "50" version with 170 hp and a 52 kWh usable battery providing an official range of 347km for under €35,000. The Elroq 60 with 204 hp and a 59 kWh battery, offering up to 429km WLTP range, is priced around €37,000. For an 85 like the one we tested, you have to spend over €44,000. And that's excluding the finish of "our" car and its options. Thus, the model photographed and driven in Belgium for this test costs no less than €57,105. Detail: it's a Corporate Elroq with faux leather, a tow bar, Lodge interior design, Maxx option package (the name says it all), heat pump and 20-inch alloy wheels. Bam!

To have a model of the same calibre in France, one must choose the Plus 85 version. By equipping it as much as possible, one inevitably exceeds €50,000. Meanwhile, the entry-level model is offered at €33,300. In Switzerland, you'd have to opt for the Sportline configuration with the Maxx package to exceed 53,000 CHF, compared to 36,330 CHF for the base model with the smaller battery. A considerable budget for a family. Unless you choose a version with less battery, hence less autonomy and a slightly slower charging speed...

(Olivier Duquesne – Source: Škoda – Pictures: © Olivier Duquesne)