TEST. Skoda Elroq, the electric SUV that wants to do better than the Enyaq

It is a brand that seems to be slipping through the cracks of the current storm that the automobile industry is going through. Skoda can indeed keep smiling with sales up last year and in particular on electric vehicles. Terrain where manufacturers are engaged in a terrible battle in Europe, with the tightening of CO2 standards starting this year and the 2035 horizon with the ban on sales of new thermal cars.

Last year, the Czech brand of the Volkswagen Group finished in fourth place in Europe (the 27 EU countries and the United Kingdom) behind Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW.

And on the electric side, the Enyaq also takes a nice fourth position: behind the Tesla duo, Model Y and Model 3 , and the Volvo EX30 . The 100% electric SUV thus has the luxury of overtaking its technical cousin, the Volkswagen ID.4 , just behind in fifth place.

In France, the brand finished in eleventh place and is now aiming to enter the top 10, particularly with a new model in its range: the Elroq.

This Elroq indeed has good potential to seduce, with in particular a more compact format than the Enyaq. At 4.49 meters, it is in fact 17 centimeters less than its big brother in the range.

It thus finds itself in direct competition with two French models: the Renault Scénic and Peugeot e-3008 . It can also be compared with the Kia EV3 , 10 centimeters shorter at 4.39 meters.

The idea is also for Skoda to offer a zero-emission alternative to its Skoda Karoq. This is also the explanation given for the name of this model: an electric Karoq, which therefore gives... the Elroq.

It is inside that the Elroq is particularly interesting. Despite its reduced size compared to the Enyaq, it has the same wheelbase and therefore a very similar space on board, generous at the front and at the rear. It is finally on the size of the trunk that the Enyaq makes the difference, with 585 liters, against 470 liters for the Elroq.

The volume remains correct, however, and is fitted with a sort of small hammock, which can be used to store a coat, for example, as well as a net under the rear shelf with a charging cable always within reach.

Enough to correct the absence of a frunk, the front trunk that we find for example on Teslas. It is also not possible to have a sunroof or panoramic roof: these are really the only drawbacks to report on this model, which benefits from a modern and very well finished interior.

We thus benefit from a 13-inch touchscreen tablet, with an interface improved by Skoda and which has corrected the bugs encountered on the Enyaq. We still benefit from Carplay or Android Auto wirelessly, a good point. It is complemented by a 5-inch meter screen which brings together all the information necessary for driving.

Our test model, in the top-of-the-range "Plus" finish, also benefited from the "Lodge" interior which has the merit of bringing a little light into the passenger compartment with a dominant light gray color and small orange details such as on the seat belts.

We tested this model in its version which offers the largest battery capacity, the 85 version (net capacity of 77 kWh), associated with a 286 horsepower engine, for an announced range of more than 575 kilometers.

During our test in the Vosges in fairly cold weather, with a mixed route, in the city, on small mountain roads and on fast lanes, our consumption was 21 kWh per 100 kilometers. Enough to expect a real autonomy, in such conditions, of around 350 kilometers.

This very high-end version proved to be very pleasant to drive, with a good balance between dynamism and comfort.

The most impressive thing is certainly the turning circle of less than 10 metres (it turns tighter than the latest Renault R5 ), despite its SUV size, the Elroq can therefore carry out manoeuvres with great ease.

There are also many cameras and a top view. Enough to be completely comfortable when parking, for example.

On electric driving, you can adjust the regenerative braking on three levels or also switch from a Drive mode (freewheels) to a B mode which significantly increases this energy recovery during deceleration.

On the charging side, this Elroq can handle up to 175 kW of direct current, i.e. a rapid charge of 10 to 80% in 25 minutes.

For slow charging, in alternating current, you have to make do with 11 kW, without the possibility of increasing this power as an option.

The 85 versions, with the big battery, start at 42,470 euros with the third trim level "Clever". For our test model, we move on to the "Plus" finish at 44,430 euros (Matrix LED headlights, LED taillights, electric trunk...) and add a few options: the pretty Trimiano green, 21-inch rims, the heat pump, the "Lodge" interior. Then the winter pack (tri-zone air conditioning, heated rear seats and windshield), and the Drive DCC Plus pack (controlled suspension, progressive dynamic steering and the 3-spoke sports leather multifunction heated steering wheel with paddles).

Enough to see the final bill approach 50,000 euros. Note that we can reduce the amount of the ecological bonus, with manufacturing in the Czech Republic, and prices excluding options that remain below the ceiling of 47,000 euros.

But other versions of the Elroq are much more affordable. Already the entry-level version City 50, with a 52 kWh battery that announces 370 kilometers of autonomy. A basic finish that already contains a lot of equipment (automatic air conditioning, keyless start, the duo of screens, reversing camera ...).

But it is undoubtedly the version 60 (59 kWh battery) with 425 kilometers of autonomy which offers the best compromise, starting at 36,620 euros (excluding bonus).

Note that Skoda RS and 4x4 sports versions are planned for later in the year. Enough to satisfy a large part of the needs of many drivers.