Skoda Elroq review – a great-value compact electric SUV

Verdict – is the Skoda Elroq a good car?

Our latest UK drive of the Skoda Elroq has reaffirmed it as an impressive small electric SUV for the money, and one of the Czech brand’s best models. In fact, it’s potentially an even more compelling prospect than its already-impressive larger sibling, the Enyaq, and might make more sense for you if you don’t need all that space; the Elroq is very comfortable, well built and still impressively practical for a car at this price.

Skoda Elroq models, specs and alternatives

The Skoda Elroq is the Czech marque’s second fully-electric car and is a mid-size family SUV positioned below its other electric car, the Skoda Enyaq. We’ve been impressed with its older sibling since it was launched, so the Skoda Elroq has a lot to live up to. If you’re wondering, the Elroq’s name is a mash-up of the word ‘Electric’ and Skoda’s small petrol and diesel SUV, the ‘Karoq’, essentially positioning it as the EV counterpart to that car.

We’ve now tested the Skoda Elroq in the UK and can confirm it’s just as good on home soil. It’s so good in fact that we think it might make more sense than the larger Enyaq, because it’s still very practical for a car its size, that feels well built and well priced.

Elroq starts from just £31,500, which is less than rivals such as the Kia EV3, Hyundai Kona Electric and Renault Scenic, and yet – as is the case with many of Skoda’s other models – it offers the sort of practicality you’d expect from the class above.

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The Elroq uses Skoda’s latest ‘Modern Solid’ design language, characterised more prominently with a black band up front spanning the front end, which the brand calls the ‘Tech-Deck’ face. It’s a feature that mimics what would otherwise be a grille on a combustion-engined model. As with the Enyaq, elsewhere the styling is rather conventional and conservative – you won’t find wacky, out-there features that make it stand out as an EV, and that’s part of the appeal for some buyers; we think it’s a rather handsome thing. An update to the Enyaq is also soon to launch, bringing a similar look that gives a close family resemblance to the Elroq.

The Elroq is offered in four trims: SE, SE L, Edition and SportLine. As well as this, you’ll have to choose one of three battery and motor configurations. From launch, just two of these are available in the UK, with the third arriving later.

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The entry-level model gets a 52kWh battery with a 168bhp rear-mounted electric motor – this version is badged 50 and is capable of up to 232 miles of range. Above this is the 60 model, which gets a power increase to 201bhp and a larger 59kWh battery. Range for this version is around 250 miles, although it’s not yet available in the UK and will arrive later.

The top-spec model gets a much larger 77kWh battery and 282bhp motor and is badged the 85. Range is a much more impressive 360 miles.

Skoda Elroq alternatives

The Skoda Elroq has quite a few rivals in the mid-size-to-small electric SUV segment, but is notably cheaper than most.

• Renault Scenic
• Kia EV3
• Hyundai Kona Electric

Should you buy a Skoda Elroq?

The Skoda Elroq is a brilliant addition to the brand’s EV range, taking everything we already loved about the larger Enyaq and putting it into a more compact, affordable package.

It’s well built and feels more upmarket than its price tag would suggest, and it’s a very comfortable small SUV to drive around in. As we’ve come to expect from Skoda, the focus here is on value for money, and that’s certainly the case here.

If you’re looking for an electric SUV with driving flair, however, you might be disappointed with the Elroq, because that’s not really its forte. Power levels and comfort really are more than adequate, though, so the majority of buyers will feel well catered-to. 

While we think the Elroq is a good-looking car, its design isn’t particularly stand-out. There’s nothing wrong with that, and we think lots of buyers will appreciate its understated look, but rivals like the Renault Scenic and Kia EV3 perhaps boast a little more futuristic pizzazz in this area.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Skoda Elroq range?

The full Skoda Elroq lineup is yet to be on sale, so of the current versions on sale (Elroq 50 and Elroq 85) we’d recommend sticking to the cheaper entry-level version where value seems best. Most buyers will be catered for with its 232-mile range if they’re sticking to trips around town, and we’d even suggest sticking with SE trim unless you’re desperate for heated seats and a few extra niceties you get with SE L. We recommend specifying the optional heat pump.

How we tested the Skoda Elroq

We first tested the Skoda Elroq in Elroq 50 and Elroq 85 guise in Mallorca, Spain, but we’ve now also driven it on British tarmac.