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The Škoda Elroq is not just another electric newcomer in the endless parade of urban SUVs. It is a bold statement from the Czech automaker to all who have doubted electric cars or dismissed Škoda as merely a 'budget Volkswagen.' The Elroq is significant, not just as Škoda’s first fully electric compact SUV, but as the first to boldly usher in the new 'Modern Solid' design era, signaling a departure from mediocrity.
The name Elroq combines 'El' for electric and 'roq' from Karoq, a nod to its roots. While it sounds like a superhero alias, it's really just the electrified sibling of the Karoq. Dimensionally, the Elroq is about 15 cm shorter than the Enyaq, but with the same wheelbase, the interior remains just as spacious. It is no shrunken city EV but a genuine family SUV, offering room for skis, strollers, and even a market’s worth of groceries. Fold down the rear seats and you could practically fit a pony.
Technically, the Elroq sits on the same MEB platform as its Volkswagen Group cousins: the ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron, and others. However, Škoda spices this up with its 'Simply Clever' touches, like the umbrella in the door and an ice scraper in the charging port. And this is only the beginning. The Elroq is the first of six new Škoda electric models, part of their answer to the 2035 carbon neutrality challenge. Rivals include the BYD Atto 3, Peugeot e-3008, and Ford Explorer EV. Škoda understands people want something smart, simple, and reliable—something that works in any weather without forcing a change in lifestyle. Now they can have that in electric form.
The Elroq is the first Škoda designed from scratch with the 'Modern Solid' language: less is more, but more is also more. The design is clean and functional, with no unnecessary frills or chrome. Surfaces are smooth as slate and proportions as thoughtfully considered as an IKEA cabinet. The front is crowned by the new 'Tech-Deck Face,' Škoda’s take on a grille-less nose. Sensors are hidden behind a sleek panel, and daytime running lights span the width of the car like raised eyebrows questioning your continued use of diesel.
Though the design is new, Škoda’s essence remains. The old logo is gone, replaced by bold ŠKODA lettering on the hood and tailgate, complete with a subtle háček above the S—a Czech accent, even in minimalism. In profile, the Elroq is elegant yet robust, with a wave-free side line, coupe-like roof, and 19 to 21-inch wheels. Aerodynamics are honed to a 0.26 drag coefficient—stellar for an SUV. Small spoilers up front recall Formula E tricks, and the wheel arches are clad in gray plastic for practical ruggedness.
Unlike many modern EVs hiding their door handles, the Elroq keeps them traditional. Why hide what you actually use? From the back, the Elroq is boxy and practical, maximizing trunk space as a family SUV should. A light bar connects the LED taillights, visually widening the car, with the bold ŠKODA script as a branding statement. Two spoilers—one on the roof, one on the lower rear—help manage airflow and add a sporty touch.
Step inside and the 2.76-meter wheelbase delivers a palace-like sense of space. There’s more headroom than in some apartments: over a meter up front, nearly a meter in the rear. Entry is easy and elegant, more like sinking into an armchair than performing gymnastics. The interior follows 'Modern Solid' principles: clean lines, logical solutions, and honest practicality. The dashboard is unfussy, flowing straight and calm.
Recycled materials are prominent. The Recytitan fabric on doors, seats, and dashboard is made from 78% recycled PET bottles. It feels soft and even luxurious, with only a few hard plastics betraying Škoda’s past. The seats are ergonomic, set high, with heating and, in better trims, ventilation. Sportline models add sport seats for more support in corners.
Rear passengers enjoy ample legroom and a three-zone climate system—ideal for families with different temperature preferences. The 470-liter trunk expands to 1580 liters with seats down, and practical touches abound: hidden storage, bag hooks, and a cargo net for charging cables. Škoda’s signature 'Simply Clever' details shine: an umbrella in the door, a warning triangle in the tailgate, and a double-floor trunk for dirty or wet items.
The driver gets a 5-inch digital gauge cluster—basic but sufficient. Upgrade to a head-up display for augmented-reality navigation cues right in your line of sight. The 13-inch central infotainment touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, with logical menus and always-visible climate controls. Physical buttons remain for vital functions, though Volkswagen’s infamous touch slider for volume control is as awkward as ever—luckily, the steering wheel dial helps.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wireless and standard. Phones charge wirelessly with cooling, and an integrated ChatGPT voice assistant answers questions from capital cities to tire pressure checks.
Under the hood, only electric serenity awaits—no pistons, no belts, no exhaust. Škoda offers a full range of versions, from sensible to seriously fun. The Elroq 50 is a calm, clever companion: 125 kW (170 hp), a 52 kWh net battery, and about 370 km range. The top speed is capped at 160 km/h—enough for most. The Elroq 60 ups the ante with a 59 kWh battery, 150 kW (204 hp), and 400–430 km range for those who want a bit more excitement. The Elroq 85 takes things further with 210 kW (286 hp) and 545 Nm torque, making 0–100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and up to 580 km WLTP range.
For tougher climates, the Elroq 85x adds a front motor for all-wheel drive and 299 hp. Range drops slightly to 550–562 km, but the surefootedness in winter is invaluable. The RS flagship boasts over 250 kW (about 340 hp), sub-6-second acceleration, and rally-inspired styling with red brake calipers and black accents.
Charging is fast: up to 175 kW DC means 10–80% takes about 28 minutes. Not quite Hyundai/Kia’s 800V speeds, but enough for a quick pit stop. Smaller battery models charge even faster. Battery preconditioning ensures high-speed charging even in cold climates—perfect for Nordic winters. Home charging at 11 kW AC takes about 8 hours for the big battery.
Efficiency is solid at 17–18 kWh/100 km, with real-world range over 400 km easily achievable. In cold weather or at high speeds with a full load, range drops to 300 km, but that’s physics, not a Škoda flaw.
Škoda’s noise insulation creates an almost meditative quiet. At 90 km/h, you hear more from your passengers than from the road. The Elroq glides over city streets and rough asphalt with the composure of a Czech waiter balancing a tray. The battery sits low, ensuring a stable center of gravity.
With optional adaptive DCC suspension, even cobblestones feel smooth. DCC adjusts damping in real time, so gravel roads feel like velvet and you still have a hand free for coffee. Steering is light, making city maneuvering and parking effortless, yet it remains confident on winding roads. Sport mode adds weight for a more connected feel.
The Elroq isn’t a sports car but is happy to flirt with corners. It stays composed, with good body control and no alarming lean. Physics still apply, but the mass is well managed. The turning circle of about 9.3 meters is a city driver’s delight.
Braking blends regenerative and mechanical systems, creating a stepped feel—silky at first, then sharply effective. It takes some getting used to, but emergency stops from 100 km/h take just 34 meters.
Safety is a digital bodyguard. Standard kit includes autonomous emergency braking for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, lane keep assist, driver fatigue monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Travel Assist offers adaptive lane assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and emergency assist, which can safely stop the car and call for help if needed.
Blind spot monitoring warns you of approaching cyclists or scooters, and door exit alerts prevent accidents. Parking is effortless with Park Assist, which handles steering for you, and remote parking lets you use your phone to guide the car into tight spaces. The car can even memorize complex parking maneuvers for future use, storing up to five favorite routes.
Passive safety is robust, with a reinforced steel body, plenty of airbags, and a protected battery pack. Matrix LED headlights illuminate the night without dazzling others.
Highlights of the Elroq include a spacious and smart cabin, a functional and intuitive interface, strong range and charging tech, more standard equipment for the price than many rivals, comprehensive driver aids, excellent ride comfort, modern design with recycled materials, and those clever Škoda touches that set it apart.
Potential downsides: The design might seem too restrained for some. The 5-inch driver display feels dated for 2025. Some features like regenerative paddles aren’t standard. It’s not a true sports car. Sharing its platform with VW Group means it may feel familiar to ID.4 or Q4 drivers. The screen-based climate controls are not everyone’s favorite.
Overall, the Škoda Elroq is the kind of car people genuinely need: a fully competent daily driver that is electric, smarter, quieter, and more modern. It drives well, charges quickly, prioritizes safety and technology, and delivers all this at a price that won’t make you count pennies for every snack.