The Skoda Elroq is the Czech brand’s latest electric car, slotting into the compact SUV segment below its other EV, the Enyaq. The Elroq is a comparable size to Skoda’s other compact SUV, the Karoq, and it will compete against several popular electric cars such as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro EV.
How does the Skoda Elroq compare to the Enyaq?
There are some similarities between the Skoda Elroq and the larger Enyaq, including the wing vents, doors, mirrors and rear lights, but at the front it gets a fresh look. Skoda’s designers call it the ‘Tech Deck’ face of the car and it features a slim black panel running across the front, just below the bonnet line.
Slender LED daytime running lights are integrated within this panel and, from next year, Skoda will also offer the option of an illuminated bar spanning the full width, akin to the ‘Crystal Face’ grille that features on the Enyaq. Cars equipped with the more advanced LED Matrix headlights will be distinguishable by daytime running lights that are divided into four segments, whereas cars with the standard LED headlights will feature solid strip LED daytime running lights. The main headlights are housed in a lower section of the front bumper.
At the rear of the car, the Elroq has the brand’s signature C-shaped lights, which have an angular look, again quite similar to the Enyaq’s. The Elroq word mark spans the rear hatch and there’s a roof spoiler to aid aerodynamics around the rear window.
How big is the Skoda Elroq?
The Skoda Elroq is 4,488mm long, 1,884mm wide and stands 1,625mm tall. Built on the MEB platform architecture, the wheelbase measures 2,765mm, resulting in generous space inside the cabin. Those dimensions make the Skoda Elroq longer than the Hyundai Kona by 133mm and 90mm longer than the Skoda Karoq, too. Surprisingly, it’s also slightly taller (by 9mm) than the larger Skoda Enyaq.
The interior of the Skoda Elroq
Much of the styling and design seen in the Skoda Enyaq carries over into the Elroq, and despite being a compact SUV, there is a surprisingly good amount of space available to occupants inside.
A two- or three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is fitted depending on specification, and a small digital display ahead of this provides the driver with all of the relevant information. There is also a head-up display with Augmented Reality functions to enhance navigation and the overall driving experience.
A raised centre console between the front seats carries multiple storage areas along with two cupholders and a pair of wireless phone chargers, plus some USB-C ports. There is a 13-inch touchscreen display as standard, which can also manage smartphone mirroring with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Even with the large touchscreen’s presence, there is still a bank of physical button below for easy access to frequently used functions.
Other standard equipment features include a reversing camera, Crew Protect Assist and Side Assist safety systems, and air conditioning. Skoda is also offering several interior upholstery options, including brighter colours with orange contrast stitching and matching seatbelts that were inspired by the Vision 7S concept car.
Rear passenger space also ranks well, with ISOFIX mounting points in both of the outer rear seats. These can also be equipped with seat heating, while the centre seat is wide enough to prove useful. If that centre seat isn’t in use, the backrest can fold down to serve as an armrest of allow access to the boot via a hatch.
Lots of clever storage space
The Elroq has a 470-litre boot, which can increase in volume to 1,580 litres when the 60:40 split-folding rear seats are tumbled forward. Within the boot itself are shelves on either side to maximise stowage, a lower-level setting for the parcel shelf and numerous hooks for bags. On the underside of the parcel shelf, there’s a useful cargo net that serves as stowage for the car’s charging cables.
Skoda Elroq Sportline available
One of the most popular specification grades across the Skoda range will also make its way to this car as the Elroq Sportline. Its exterior styling treatment follows the proven formula, with sportier looking bumpers, lowered suspension and numerous gloss black accents. There is a new-look Sportline badge on the back as well that takes the place of the battery designation. There’s also privacy glass for the rear of the car.
Sportline cars are lowered by 15mm at the front and 10mm on the rear, while 20-inch ‘Asterion’ alloy wheels with a gloss black finish add to the image. This version is also equipped with ‘progressive steering’ (variable ratio) to provide sportier feeling handling, although there is no performance upgrade. Other interior details include sports front seats upholstered in black ‘Suedia’ and artificial leather with contrasting grey stitching and seat heating as standard. Carbon-look trim pieces on the dashboard underline the sportier look as do the stainless-steel pedal covers. The Elroq Sportline is available as 60 and 85 versions from launch.
Skoda Elroq versions and Irish pricing
Pricing for the Skoda Elroq in Ireland will start at €36,545 for the entry-level Elroq 50 version. The Elroq 50 has a 52kWh battery that is sufficient for a driving range of 370 kilometres according to the WLTP and is powered by a 170hp (125kW) motor. In the middle of the line-up is the Elroq 60, which will cost from €38,416. It uses a 59kWh battery and a 204hp (150kW) motor, while the official range is 440 kilometres.
Topping the line-up at launch is the €42,315 Elroq 85, with a 77kWh battery and a 285hp (210kW) electric motor and the ability - in theory - of covering 560 kilometres on a single charge. This larger battery can DC charge at up to175kW, ensuring a 10 to 80 per cent charge takes only 28 minutes. The smaller Elroq 50 battery has a peak DC charge rate of 145kW and can recharge to 80 per cent in 25 minutes. All of the Elroq models feature 11kW AC charging capability and are rear-wheel drive.
Order books for the Skoda Elroq open on 7 October with first Irish deliveries expected to begin from April 2025.
Commenting on the Elroq’s launch, Skoda Ireland Brand Director, John Donegan, said: “The Skoda Elroq represents a significant breakthrough in the Irish BEV market. Until now, Irish customers have predominantly been limited to larger, more expensive BEV SUV options, with electric models typically priced higher than their ICE counterparts. That dynamic is finally starting to change. The Skoda Elroq BEV will be more competitively priced and better specified than the similarly sized, ICE-powered Skoda Karoq. In 2025, for the first time, Skoda SUV customers will enjoy the unique choice of two equally attractive, similarly sized and comparably priced vehicles - one powered by electricity, the other by combustion. I know which one I’d choose.”