Skoda Elroq: return to basics for the Czech brand

Although Skoda has moved upmarket in recent years, with the ambition of ultimately competing with Volvo, what has long made the brand successful was to offer homogeneous, coherent cars with plenty of space on board for an attractive price. In short, the Czech manufacturer offered excellent value for money which has diminished slightly over time, leaving part of its clientele on the sidelines while it attracted another.

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The brand’s new electric compact SUV seems to want to reconnect with good habits, by offering a very decent price, without compromising on equipment or on-board space.

A question of style

The Elroq introduces Skoda’s new design language, called “Modern Solid”, first seen on the Skoda 7S concept. It has a front that replaces the large grille with a more elegant and much more contemporary design. It is completed by the “Tech-Deck Face”, a glossy black panel housing the multitude of sensors and cameras inherent to driver aid and assistance technologies.

The profile is refined and reminiscent of existing Skodas, notably the Enyaq, via the high folding line which connects the front and rear lights. For its part, the roof spoiler plays an aerodynamic role and contributes to the correct Cd (for the category) of 0.26.

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Unlike the front, the rear preserves the familiar design of current Skodas, thermal or electric with triangular LED lights placed high.

In terms of dimensions, the new electric SUV faces the new Renault Scenic e-Tech with 4.49 meters long, 1.88 m wide and 1.65 m high.

From space

Unusually for a Skoda, it is beaten in terms of boot space by the Scenic’s 545 liters, providing “only” 470 liters, which remains a very decent value in the category. A little extra for the Skoda, it comes with a shelf that can be placed halfway up the trunk, offering a two-level layout with two individual compartments.

Skoda offers these other smart “Simply Clever” solutions, with a net under the shelf to store charging cables, the umbrella in the front door or the ice scraper.

The cabin is generous in space and adults will find room in the rear seat while the driver finds in front of him a 5-inch digital instrument cluster and in the center of the dashboard a 13-inch touch screen with buttons shortcut below. Skoda announces a storage capacity of 48 liters scattered throughout the cabin.

The infotainment system uses the latest generation interface already seen on the updated Enyaq and new Superb and Kodiaq, with improved ease of use. Shortcut buttons provide access to climate control, parking, drive mode and driver assistance systems.

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Choice of engines and prices

The new Elroq offers several levels of power and battery capacity, with the 50, 60 and 85, all with 4 trim levels: City, Element, Clever, Plus.

The entry-level 50 has a 52 kWh net battery powering a 170 hp motor placed on the rear axle. Thus provided, the SUV cannot travel more than 370 km according to the WLTP standard. The 60 version has 59 kWh and 204 hp, and offers a range of more than 400 km, while the top-of-the-range 85 is equipped with a significantly larger 77 kWh and 285 hp battery, with a WLTP range of 579 km.

The 85x version will come to top the range with a power of 299 hp thanks to 2 motors, one on each axle, and an all-wheel drive system.

In terms of price, it’s €33,300 for the entry-level, before ecological bonus, where the entry-level Scenic Evolution, also with 170 hp, is exchanged for €39,990 (before bonus) , but it has a 60 kWh battery giving it a range of 430 km. The equivalent from Skoda offers a similar range from its 59 kWh battery, but a power of 204 hp for €36,620 (excluding bonus).

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