Skoda Elroq: In the increasingly crowded electric vehicle market, Skoda has finally revealed its answer to the compact electric SUV question with the Elroq, a vehicle that slots neatly between the larger Enyaq and the now-discontinued Kamiq in the Czech manufacturer’s lineup.
This latest addition to Skoda’s growing electric portfolio represents not just another entry in the EV space but a crucial strategic move as the Volkswagen Group subsidiary continues its transition away from internal combustion engines.
Skoda has been somewhat cautious in its approach to electrification compared to some competitors, with the Enyaq iV (and its coupe variant) serving as the brand’s flagship electric vehicle since 2021.
The Elroq now expands Skoda’s electric lineup downward in both size and price, targeting the fiercely competitive compact crossover segment currently dominated by models like the Volvo EX30, Jeep Avenger Electric, and various offerings from Chinese manufacturers.
Design: Evolutionary Rather Than Revolutionary
The Elroq’s exterior design strikes a careful balance between Skoda’s established design language and the more futuristic aesthetic often associated with electric vehicles.
At 4.25 meters long, it’s noticeably more compact than the Enyaq (4.65 meters) while maintaining similar proportions and family resemblance.
Here’s where things get interesting. Rather than opting for the aggressively futuristic styling that characterizes many EVs, Skoda has maintained its more conservative, practical approach.
The front end features the brand’s signature grille outline, now blanked off for better aerodynamics but illuminated with LED strips that create a distinctive light signature.
The headlights are slimmer and more angular than those on the Enyaq, giving the Elroq a slightly more aggressive face despite its smaller dimensions.
The side profile reveals short overhangs and a relatively long wheelbase—a common benefit of dedicated EV platforms that typically push wheels to the corners to maximize interior space.
The roofline maintains a practical shape rather than adopting the more fashionable but less practical coupe-like slope seen on many competitors, prioritizing rear headroom and cargo capacity over styling.
Flush door handles, carefully sculpted body panels, and aerodynamically optimized wheels contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.26—impressive for a crossover of this size and helping to maximize range efficiency.
Funnily enough, despite Skoda’s reputation for sensible design, the Elroq actually looks more distinctive than many of its corporate cousins.
While it clearly shares its MEB platform underpinnings with vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.3, Skoda’s designers have created a vehicle with its own character rather than simply reskinning a corporate template.
Interior: Digital Meets Practical
Stepping inside the Elroq reveals a cabin that continues Skoda’s trademark focus on practical features while embracing the digital-focused approach that characterizes modern EVs.
The dashboard is dominated by a 13-inch central touchscreen and a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with most physical buttons eliminated in favor of touch-sensitive controls.
This is also controversial. While the minimalist approach creates a clean, modern aesthetic, the heavy reliance on the touchscreen for climate and other essential functions has proven divisive among users.
Skoda has attempted to mitigate this with customizable shortcut buttons on the steering wheel and an improved voice control system, but some traditional Skoda buyers may miss the intuitive physical controls of earlier models.
What hasn’t been compromised is Skoda’s famous “Simply Clever” features. The Elroq comes equipped with an impressive array of thoughtful touches, including an integrated umbrella in the driver’s door,
ice scraper in the tailgate, smartphone pockets on the front seatbacks, and multiple storage solutions throughout the cabin. The central console features a configurable storage system with removable dividers, and there’s even a dedicated compartment for charging cables in the trunk floor.
Speaking of the trunk, cargo capacity stands at 470 liters with the rear seats up and 1,580 liters with them folded—impressive figures for a vehicle in
this class and actually more spacious than some physically larger competitors. This practicality has always been a Skoda strength, and it’s encouraging to see it maintained in their electric lineup.
Powertrains and Performance: Options for Different Needs
Let’s go through a few of the points that make the Elroq’s powertrain options interesting. Based on the Volkswagen Group’s now-familiar MEB platform, the Elroq is available in three main configurations:
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The base Elroq 50 features a 52 kWh (net) battery pack and a single rear-mounted motor producing 170 hp (125 kW), offering a WLTP range of approximately 340 km.
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The mid-level Elroq 60 comes with a larger 63 kWh battery and a more powerful 204 hp (150 kW) motor, extending range to around 400 km.
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The range-topping Elroq 85 boasts an 82 kWh battery pack and the same 204 hp motor, pushing the range to a claimed 550 km.
A high-performance Elroq RS variant has been rumored but not yet confirmed, which would likely feature dual motors and all-wheel drive.
Performance is solid if not spectacular for the class. The entry-level Elroq 50 manages 0-100 km/h in around 8.5 seconds, while the more powerful versions bring this down to approximately 7.2 seconds.
While these figures won’t trouble performance EVs like the Tesla Model Y Performance, they provide more than adequate acceleration for everyday driving and highway merging.
Charging capabilities are competitive rather than class-leading. The Elroq supports DC fast charging at up to 135 kW, allowing the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes on suitable chargers. AC charging is limited to 11 kW, resulting in overnight charging times of 5-8 hours depending on battery size.
Driving Dynamics: Balancing Comfort and Engagement
Early driving impressions suggest the Elroq continues Skoda’s tradition of offering a well-judged compromise between comfort and handling.
The low center of gravity inherent to EVs (thanks to the battery pack mounted in the floor) helps the Elroq feel more planted than its internal combustion predecessors despite a slightly higher ride height.
There’s another sticking point. While many electric crossovers offer one-pedal driving with aggressive regenerative braking, Skoda has taken a more conservative approach with the Elroq. The strongest regeneration setting still requires some brake pedal input to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
This may disappoint EV enthusiasts who prefer the convenience of true one-pedal driving but could make the transition easier for first-time electric vehicle buyers coming from conventional cars.
The steering is light but precise, making the Elroq easy to maneuver in urban environments while providing sufficient feedback at higher speeds.
Ride quality appears to be a particular strength, with the suspension doing an admirable job of absorbing road imperfections despite relatively large wheels (18-inch as standard, with options up to 20-inch).
Road and wind noise are well suppressed—another benefit of the dedicated EV platform and Skoda’s attention to aerodynamic details. This makes the Elroq particularly pleasant for longer journeys, where the relatively generous range also comes into play.
Technology and Features: Comprehensive but Not Cutting-Edge
The Elroq comes equipped with Skoda’s latest infotainment system, running on the Volkswagen Group’s new E3 1.2 software architecture.
This represents a significant improvement over earlier systems, with faster responses, over-the-air update capability, and a more intuitive interface.
Standard safety features are comprehensive, including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Higher trim levels add more advanced features like a 360-degree camera system, semi-autonomous parking, and highway driving assistance.
The augmented reality head-up display, first seen on the Enyaq, is available as an option and projects navigation instructions and safety information onto the windshield,
allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road. This technology, while not unique to Skoda, is unusual in this price segment and represents a genuine value-add for the Elroq.
Market Position and Pricing: Competitive But Not Disruptive
Skoda has positioned the Elroq to compete directly with models like the Volvo EX30, Jeep Avenger Electric, and Peugeot e-2008, while undercutting premium offerings like the Mercedes EQA and Audi Q4 e-tron.
Starting prices range from approximately €35,000 for the base Elroq 50 to €45,000 for the long-range Elroq 85 (before incentives, where available).
This pricing strategy places the Elroq slightly above mainstream competitors like the MG4 but below premium alternatives, consistent with Skoda’s traditional market positioning of offering near-premium quality and features at mainstream prices.
The challenge for Skoda will be justifying this pricing in the face of increasingly competitive offerings from Chinese manufacturers, which often offer more range and features at lower price points.
The Elroq counters with Skoda’s established reputation for quality, practical design, and strong dealer network—advantages that may be sufficient for many European buyers hesitant to take a chance on less familiar brands.
The Verdict: A Solid But Safe Entry
The Skoda Elroq represents a competent and well-considered entry into the compact electric crossover segment rather than a revolutionary leap forward.
It successfully translates Skoda’s traditional strengths—practicality, quality, and value—into an electric package while maintaining the brand’s design identity.
For existing Skoda customers looking to make the transition to electric mobility, the Elroq offers a familiar experience with the added benefits of electric drive.
For the broader market, it presents a sensible alternative to both mainstream and premium competitors, with particular appeal for buyers who prioritize practical features and real-world usability over maximum performance or cutting-edge technology.
As a result, it’s impossible to predict exactly how the Elroq will fare in an increasingly crowded market. Much will depend on the evolving regulatory landscape, charging infrastructure development, and consumer sentiment toward EVs in general.
What’s clear is that Skoda has created a thoughtfully designed product that should appeal to its core audience while potentially attracting new customers to the brand.
The Elroq may not be the most exciting or innovative electric vehicle of 2025, but it could well be among the most livable and practical—qualities that have always been at the heart of Skoda’s appeal. In a market segment often characterized by compromises, the Elroq’s balanced approach may prove to be its strongest selling point.