Skoda Enyaq Coupe - sleek yet still practical
“The Skoda Enyaq Coupe takes all the positives from the regular Enyaq SUV, combining them in a sleeker package without sacrificing practicality”
Pros
- Great range figures
- Practical
- Smart interior
Cons
- Costs more than Enyaq SUV
- No entry-level battery option
- Rivals are quicker
Verdict – is the Enyaq Coupe a good car?
With seemingly few compromises to be made for its sleeker, sportier bodyshape, the Skoda Enyaq Coupe remains a strong option even for demanding family car buyers. It’s good to drive, quick to charge and offers good real-world range, plus all the usual Simply Clever features synonymous to Skoda. To our eyes, the cheaper models represent the best value for money, although the Coupe skips a few of the more affordable versions offered in the standard Enyaq lineup.
Skoda Enyaq Coupe models, specs and alternatives
Coupe SUVs are all the rage at the moment, promising to deliver on a higher ride height and better view of the road, as well as a sportier look thanks to a sloping roofline. The Skoda Enyaq is one such model, sporting a rakish look that sets it apart from the standard Enyaq’s upright SUV proportions. Like the standard Enyaq, the Enyaq Coupe is fully electric, too, so it delivers on what many modern car buyers are looking for.
Skoda facelifted the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe in late 2023 – it looks largely the same as before, but gains more power and extra range for most versions, making it more usable day-to-day. Skoda also added more equipment as standard across the range and improved its infotainment. As part of the update, the ‘Enyaq Coupe iV’ lost the confusing ‘iV’ nomenclature previously reserved for Skoda’s electrified models, so now it’s just known as ‘Enyaq Coupe’.
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As is the case with some coupe versions of SUVs, you might worry that practicality would take a big hit in the name of style, but that’s not the case for the Enyaq Coupe. While the regular Enyaq SUV is certainly slightly more practical, the Coupe still offers lots of boot and interior space, so it doesn’t feel like there’s been too much of a compromise.
The Coupe’s shape is more slippery and aerodynamic than the regular SUV, so it actually offers a little more range. It’s a shame the Enyaq Coupe doesn’t get the same smaller-battery ‘60’ offering from the SUV lineup, but in the Coupe’s base ‘85’ trim comparing like for like, the Coupe actually offers a longer range than the standard model, delivering up to 353 miles to a charge compared to the 349 figure of the SUV.
As previously mentioned, the Coupe lineup is slightly smaller than that of the SUV, with the aforementioned 85, 85x with four-wheel drive, the more upmarket 85 L&K and a top-of-the-line sporty vRS model.
With more powerful electric motors and four-wheel drive, the 335bhp Enyaq Coupe vRS (40bhp more than pre-facelift cars) can zip from 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds. The vRS is Skoda’s most expensive model to date, and its circa-£55k price tag puts it in some esteemed company, amongst the likes of the Kia EV6 GT and the Tesla Model Y. The flagship Skoda is also available in some impressively lurid paint colours.
If you’re not so bothered about quick performance and instead want an extra dash of luxury, then the Laurin & Klement version adds a leather interior and some visual tweaks, with new wheels, chrome trim and a grey front bumper element.
Mind you, no matter which version of the electric Skoda SUV you buy, nearly all represent good value. Besides the long range, the Enyaq has a smart interior with a particularly large touchscreen, plus a tinted panoramic sunroof, big alloy wheels and bright LED headlights. The Enyaq Coupe is a spacious car and even offers plenty of headroom, while the boot is still an impressive size. It’s certainly one of the most convincing coupe SUVs to date.
Range, charging & running costs
Every version of the Enyaq Coupe offers well over 300 miles between top-ups. We recommend the cheaper two-wheel drive 85 model for its 353-mile range. While a Peugeot E-3008 is more efficient, the Enyaq’s slightly larger battery means it beats the E-3008’s range of 326 miles and yet it’s also more powerful.
Add all-wheel drive with the 85x and its official range sits at 334 miles while the hot vRS version is actually fractionally more efficient, boasting a 340-mile maximum, one of several models to enjoy a small range improvement when the range was revised in late 2023. It’s worth noting, however, that like any electric car, you’ll see lower range figures during the winter.
Fast charging at up to 175kW is standard in dual-motor models, enabling a top-up from 10-80% charge in 28 minutes. Plug into a home wallbox and your Enyaq will take around 13 hours to fully recharge.
While the Enyaq Coupe is relatively expensive to buy, owners with an EV-specific off-peak electricity tariff can enjoy cheap home charging, plus free VED (road tax) until 2025 and exemption from low-emission zone charges for the next few years at least. Insurance should also be reasonable compared with rivals, and Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax for business users is minimal.
The Enyaq Coupe gets a decidedly average three-year/60,000-mile warranty, although some rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offer more comprehensive cover. You’ll only need a service every two years in the Enyaq, largely thanks to its less complicated drivetrain and fewer moving parts compared to a petrol or diesel-engined Skoda.
Electric motor, drive & performance
The Skoda Enyaq Coupe lineup was updated in 2023 as part of a facelift. While all models retain the same 77kWh battery, power was increased thanks to a new motor. There’s now 282bhp on offer in the 85 and 85x models, which is an increase of 81bhp over the motor of the discontinued 80. Standard rear-wheel drive 85 versions can get from 0-62mph in a sprightly 6.7 seconds.
85x gets four-wheel drive delivering extra traction at the cost of a little efficiency, but will feel more stable and planted in the corners – it also slightly improves acceleration, and this model will go from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds.
There’s even a performance vRS version of the Enyaq Coupe which has had a power boost of 40bhp over the old model – with a total of 335bhp it’s the most powerful and quickest Skoda from 0-62mph ever produced; it will do that sprint in just 5.5 seconds.
Changes have been made to the suspension (15mm lower than standard) but in all honesty, there is very little to separate the vRS from the 80x on the road, so it will only appeal to a select niche. The steering feels marginally more direct and progressive.
Despite the Enyaq Coupe vRS’s 2.25-tonne weight, it felt impressively quick on the twisty mountain roads when we tested it on the border between Austria and Bavaria. You might think that would come at the expense of an uncomfortable ride, but the Enyaq Coupe manages to iron out imperfections on the road well, even in sporty vRS trim. That said, versions equipped with smaller wheels will manage to do so more than when fitted with the 20-inch alloys.
If you’re weighing up whether to go for the standard SUV or the Coupe, you’ll discover the two feel almost identical to drive. Like the SUV, the Enyaq Coupe excels as a cruiser, and while it can offer some fun, it’s best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. The Enyaq feels similar to other Skoda SUVs like the Karoq and Kodiaq, although with a bit more pace from the electric motor’s instantly available power.
Set up with the optional adaptive dampers (which Skoda calls Dynamic Chassis Control, or DCC), the Enyaq Coupe is very comfortable both at low and high speeds. However, the Sport setting makes the ride a little too firm. On the Enyaq SUV, we preferred the standard suspension, and we expect it’ll be fine for most buyers.
Brake regeneration is initially set up not to be as strong as it is in some other electric cars, but you can turn it up if you wish. It still doesn’t offer the one-pedal driving synonymous with cars like the Tesla Model Y or Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it’ll appear more natural to those new to electric cars.
Interior & comfort
Skoda has resisted the temptation to give its first dedicated electric car an outlandish interior, so the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe feel reasonably similar to a petrol or diesel-powered Skoda inside – in contrast, the Peugeot E-3008 gets a more unique setup with a small steering wheel and futuristic feel. Build quality feels great in the Enyaq Coupe, however, and for many the familiar interior design will be part of the appeal.
The Enyaq Coupe gets a massive 13-inch touchscreen sitting proudly on the dashboard. It’s nearly as big as the single-screen setup in the Tesla Model Y, but is supplemented by an additional digital dial cluster mounted behind the steering wheel - meaning you don’t have to look over at the main screen as you drive. While the infotainment looks a little clumsily plonked in the middle of the dash, we think it’s really easy to use and responsive.
While physical climate control buttons and dials would have been preferable, the large size of the screen means that the climate and seat heating functions have plenty of room. Skoda also cleaned up the layout during the 2023 facelift, removing the ‘Smart Climate Mode’ that had functions such as ‘cool feet’ and ‘warm hands’, and adding customisable buttons on the screen to quickly access your preferred functions. The way the dashboard arcs out below the screen allows you to use it as a hand rest, making it easier to prod icons while driving. Frustratingly, the temperature controls aren’t backlit, which makes them impossible to use at night.
It may be more of a reflection on the Volkswagen ID.5, but the Skoda seems to have a more premium material quality than the VW. Plush materials cover most surfaces, and the Enyaq Coupe ups the ante by featuring a huge panoramic roof as standard.
The Enyaq also offers a range of interior upholstery options in place of traditional trim levels. Lodge and EcoSuite options bring sustainable materials, while Suite adds leather and Lounge has microfibre suede and metal trim elements. The range-topping vRS model gets figure-hugging suede sport seats, available in black or with neon green accents.
All versions of the Enyaq Coupe but the entry-level 85 model get 20-inch wheels – that’s actually a shame because if comfort is a priority, the 19-inch alloys on the entry-level model offer better ride quality on bumpier surfaces. Two-zone climate control, keyless entry, ambient lighting, a reversing camera, and sat nav are all standard. The SportLine Plus version with four-wheel drive is next up and brings upgraded headlights and black trim, a microsuede and leather upholstered interior, with a choice of ‘lounge’ options which bring varied upholstery designs, plus three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, sports suspension.
The L&K models add black leather as standard, heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function, a premium Canton sound system and upgraded exterior elements, such as Platinum Grey trim pieces, chrome window trims, roof rails and grille surround. Skoda’s optional ‘Crystal Face’ – which uses 131 LEDs to illuminate the grille – plus matrix LED headlights and LED tail lights, privacy glass and unique 20-inch and 21-inch alloy wheels come as standard, and L&K motifs adorn the model.
The vRS is a standalone version, and comes with lower suspension and a special interior design with black leather and contrasting grey stitching. This version also gets unique wheels, plus Skoda’s illuminated Crystal Face grille.
There are a number of option packs to choose from across the range, to upgrade the climate control, infotainment and driving assistance features.
Practicality & boot space
You didn’t think Skoda would make an impractical car, did you? While the Skoda Enyaq Coupe is presented as a more stylish version of the Enyaq SUV, it manages not to skimp on passenger or boot space.
Fitting a panoramic sunroof usually results in a lack of headroom because of the shade blind, but Skoda’s roof is tinted so it doesn’t need one. We like the fact that Skoda has installed built-in blinds for the rear windows, however, which could prove useful if the kids need a snooze on a long journey. Headroom is said to be similar to what you get in the Skoda Octavia Estate, despite the sloping roof. Access to the rear seats is only slightly impeded, so should be fine for most buyers.
One annoying oversight is the fact that if you put a large bottle or coffee cup into the front cupholders you end up blocking the row of buttons on the dash, including the button for the hazard lights.
The boot is only 15 litres smaller than the Enyaq SUV, and is considerable at 570 litres. The rear seats fold 60:40, and the model gets some of Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ features such as umbrellas stored in the front doors and an ice scraper located in the tailgate. Additional practicality can be found on the options list with phone pockets, boot netting and a variable boot floor. Happily, the charge cable can fit in one of the side pockets in the boot, keeping it out of the way.
Reliability & safety
The Enyaq may be Skoda’s first dedicated electric car but the majority of parts are used in a number of other VW Group models like the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volkswagen ID.3. There’s very little to go wrong with the electric powertrain itself - you only have to get it serviced every two years, after all - but infotainment glitches may be more common. Skoda finished a disappointing 20th out of 32 manufacturers in our 2023 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, with around 26% of owners reporting a fault – though this mainly covers the brand’s petrol and diesel models.
The five-star Euro NCAP safety score of the standard Enyaq is applicable to the Coupe as well. Adult protection was rated particularly highly at 94%. Autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are among the standard safety features, with plenty more being available if you tick the right boxes on the options list.