Like the new Skoda Elroq? Our alternative picks cost over £10k less

The new Skoda Elroq was just unveiled this week, packaging the latest EV tech into a  trendy SUV package. On paper, it looks like the Czech brand is onto a winner; it has all the tech expected of a modern EV, with entry-level models getting a range of up to 232 miles, plus it costs from just £31,500. What’s not to like?

Well, we’ll reserve full judgement until we’ve sat behind the wheel ourselves, but we wouldn’t be surprised if a few eager customers are already calling up their dealership asking for a spot in line before it officially goes on sale on October 18th. If that’s you, just hold your horses for a moment. A £31,500 starting price is pretty competitive for an electric SUV in 2024, but we’ve done some thinking and picked three Elroq alternatives that cost at least £10,000 less than that. Surely that’s at least worth a look?

Used Skoda Enyaq – more space for less cash

• Priced from around £18,000

This one might seem a bit obvious, but we think it’s too good a deal to exclude. You can pick up the Elroq’s bigger sibling, the Skoda Enyaq, on the used market from as little as £18,000 in 2024. The two cars share lots in common, from their underlying EV architecture to their dashboard, so you won’t be missing out on any major tech advancements by picking the slightly older model. Going for the Enyaq nets you a bigger boot and more interior space, too – all for thousands of pounds less.

So what’s the trade off? With any used car purchase, there are a few things to bear in mind versus buying brand new. The three-year, 60,000-mile manufacturer warranty may have expired, you won’t be able to spec it to your taste, and you’ll miss out on that all-important new car smell. But do your research, and you could find yourself an excellent deal; for £20,000, we found a low-mileage 2021-plate Enyaq with the 62kWh battery, delivering more range than the entry-level Elroq. Spend a bit more, and we’ve spotted 2024-plate models with the bigger 82kWh battery that still come in under budget.

Citroen e-C3 – best budget EV

• Priced from around £21,000

How much space do you really need? It’s a question that’s more important than ever when shopping for a new EV, because there are some excellent-value models on sale today if you’re willing to think outside of the SUV-shaped box. Sure, you’ll be giving up some boot space, and your rear-seat passengers might not be too happy, but you’ll be saving £10,000 in the process.

With several electric superminis to choose from, we think the new Citroen e-C3 is the one to have. It’s roomier than budget rivals like the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03, but still comes in at just £21,400 brand new. For your money, you get a 44kWh battery with a 199-mile range, which will be more than enough for most drivers. In fact, that’s only 33 miles behind the Elroq, which doesn’t seem like a big difference given the price gap.

Supermini cabin tech has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years. Of course, you’ll still be surrounded by scratchy plastics, but the e-C3’s 10.2-inch infotainment screen and slim digital dashboard would’ve been cutting-edge not so long ago. If you really do need more interior space, you could always hang on until the seven-seat Citroen e-C3 Aircross arrives next year, which is predicted to cost only a few thousand pounds more.

Dacia Duster – the rugged alternative

• Priced from around £19,000

If you’re seriously considering the Skoda Elroq, then you’ll most likely have your heart set on an EV, and that’s fine. For shoppers who are still on the fence, the new Dacia Duster might be able to sway you back towards old-fashioned combustion power, with its rugged SUV charm and bargain £18,745 starting price. It’s a bit smaller than the Elroq, so you’ll be sacrificing some interior space, but the Duster leans into its SUV form factor with some nifty off-road features – useful for those who live outside of towns and cities.

While the old Duster tended to feel as affordable as its price suggested on the inside, the all-new model has elevated interior quality somewhat without ballooning the price. The Elroq will undoubtedly be built to a higher standard, but we can’t fault the Duster in terms of kit – everything above the basic Essential model gets a digital driver’s display and central infotainment touchscreen. Even opting for the top-spec Extreme model with the fuel-sipping hybrid engine will cost you nearly £5,000 less than the cheapest Elroq.

Still not convinced? Read our list of the best electric SUVs for a run-down of the Elroq’s key rivals…