Skoda Enyaq review - Electric motor, drive & performance

Some of the pioneering electric SUVs have fostered a reputation for blistering acceleration but unlike a Tesla Model Y or Porsche Taycan, the Enyaq offers smooth acceleration on a par with more traditional – and more affordable – models.

In a departure from the norm for Skoda owners, the Enyaq’s brand new electric platform means owners can spec 60 and 85 models with a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive. An 80x model with four-wheel drive was introduced in 2021, featuring a dual-motor powertrain driving both the front and rear axles. The Laurin & Klement trims arrived in 2023, available in 85 and 85x powertrains – these are front-wheel and rear-wheel drive respectively.

Potentially in a bid to ensure new EV owners aren't put off, the regenerative braking effect isn't as strong as in many electric models, but it can be adjusted using steering-wheel paddles to help make driving more efficient.

Don't expect any playful oversteer; the Enyaq feels planted and safe, with accurate steering and grippy tyres. Body lean is minimal and if you need to slow down in a hurry, the brakes offer reassuring stopping power. It feels good to drive in an assured way.

That sensation doesn’t really change if you go for the Enyaq vRS – despite being the performance version, as a driver you feel somewhat detached from the experience, with little to excite enthusiasts. This led us to shy away from Sport mode, which makes the suspension feel more fidgety without transforming the driving experience.

While extra weight normally affects comfort, the Enyaq’s standard suspension setup demonstrated good body control at speed and smoothed out poor road surfaces, making the car comfortable on the move. Buyers can fit optional adaptive suspension but we found this setup generally made the ride slightly firmer, so the standard suspension will be a better bet for most buyers.

Skoda Enyaq electric motors

The Enyaq 60 has a 177bhp electric motor, sending power to the rear wheels. This can get the car from 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds, while its top speed is 99mph. The Enyaq 85 sees power upped to 282bhp, cutting the acceleration benchmark to 6.5 seconds, while its top speed increases to 111mph.

In either guise, the Enyaq feels more agile than you may expect, no doubt helped by its low-slung battery, rear-wheel drive and carefully considered weight balance.

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Whichever version you choose, the rear-wheel drive Enyaq variants offer adequate performance, even if it might not feel as quick as you’d expect for an electric car. The single electric motor has enough pulling power to ensure getting up to speed is easy. When accelerating in town or on a motorway, it’s capable of delivering a decent surge of power, which makes it very relaxing to drive.

EV fans wanting more potent performance will want the vRS version, which has an additional front motor, making it four-wheel drive and increasing power to 335bhp. In this guise, the Enyaq manages 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds, which should be plenty quick enough for most drivers, but falls short of the crazy acceleration of top versions of the Tesla Model Y or the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It’s a reasonable amount of power, but factor in the Enyaq’s weight and the linear response of electric motors, and it rarely feels as exciting as you might hope.