SOMETIMES you’re left scratching your head wondering how car manufacturers come up with their model names.
But the answer is fairly simple. They just make them up. Hence the new Skoda Elroq is a mix of ‘electric’ and ‘Karoq’ – a portmanteau in some circles.
So, an electric vehicle that’s similar in size to the firm’s conventionally powered Karoq SUV.
Compared to the Enyaq (don’t ask) it’s a bit smaller but still a very roomy family car, and it’s also quite a bit cheaper, with an initial starting price of £31,500. To my mind that’s good value for money in today’s crowded market.
For that, you get a reasonably well equipped vehicle, but the first omission you note is sat nav. But as we all have smart phones that have either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto built in then it’s a simple matter to link up to the big 13 inch touchscreen and set off on your route.
There are three versions – 50, 60 and 85, all rear wheel drive, and four trim levels: SE, SE L, Edition and Sportline.
Entry-level SE – which is only available with the 50kWh battery – is nonetheless reasonably well equipped, with 19 inch alloy wheels, a two-spoke steering wheel, LED headlights, rear park sensors, rear camera and climate control.
On a regular 7kW home EV charger, Elroq 50 will get to 100 per cent charged in around eight hours.
If you’ve ever sat in an Enyaq, you’ll find the surroundings familiar. The driving position is good, the seat/pedals/steering wheel all nicely located, and the big central infotainment screen with its sharp graphics sits atop a fabric trimmed dash that’s neatly finished with contrast stitching. A move away from the masses of plastics in other rivals.
Up front there’s more than enough space for driver and front passenger but it’s in the back that it’s really good: even six-footers have plenty of head and leg room and that’s because Elroq was designed from the ground up as an electric car. So the floor is flat, meaning three passengers can sit side by side in relative comfort.
The standard suspension deals well enough with the myriad of road surfaces it encounters and body control ticks the box on sweeping country roads. Some might prefer the brakes to be a bit firmer when applied – initial impression leads to the conclusion they’re not over sensitive, merely efficient.
Elroq is the first car to show off Skoda’s latest Modern Solid design language, its main points being a closed-off front grille, super slim LED headlights and the Czech brand’s name spelt across the bonnet instead of the traditional badge. Small changes but distinctive.
Every Elroq comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, with the main battery covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty. For peace of mind,if the battery falls below 70 per cent of its original capacity in that time, Skoda say they will fix the problem free of charge.
Can’t say fairer than that.
Skoda Elroq SE 50
Price: £31,500 (£32,180 as tested)
Engine: 50kWh battery
Power: 168bhp
Torque: 228lb/ft
Transmission: single speed
Top speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 9.0 seconds
Range: 232 miles
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
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