Whenever Skoda releases a new model, I always look for ‘simple and clever’ features that make ownership a little bit easier. Most of them are really useful, so they’re not just marketing fluff. The new Elroq is chock-full of these great features, but there’s one that caught my attention. A tire wear gauge that doubles as an ice scraper.
Well, what most Europeans will say, I know: Skoda has already had it for several years. In fact, I have it in my 2017 Octavia. But in my case it’s on the inside of the fuel door. In the Elroq, the Czech side of the VW Group moved it inside the tailgate. On the left side of the hatch there is a dedicated compartment in which we stick our two-in-one tools made from sustainable materials.
The long list of Simply Clever items includes everything from the usual Rolls-Royce-style umbrella on the driver’s door to the warning triangle on the tailgate. In addition, there is a net under the luggage shelf for storing charging cables, and there are folding hooks on the sides of the luggage compartment. The Elroq is fully electric on a dedicated platform, but with a large hump in the middle. But at least the central tunnel has a cargo box with built-in cupholders for rear passengers. In the luggage area, Skoda has packed two upper storage trays above the usual pockets.
It’s also a pleasant surprise to see that Skoda hasn’t abandoned physical buttons yet, with hard keys lined up below the air vents. The buttons on the left side of the dash that control the steering wheel, driver’s door, and lights are also “old-school” and not those annoying touch-sensitive keys. Inside the cargo area there is a QR code that links to the vehicle’s available equipment and features.
Thankfully, thanks to its massive 13-inch infotainment, Skoda didn’t ditch the optional digital instrument cluster below the head-up display. Although it is the brand’s first model to adopt a new design language called Modern Solid, the Elroc retains the attributes that have made Skoda so popular in Europe. It has the largest boot in its segment, with a capacity of 470 liters with the seats up. Folding the rear bench increases volume to 55.8 cubic feet (1,580 liters). Several interior compartments add an additional 1.7 cubic feet (48 liters).
The Elroq is a compact electric crossover that sits below the Kodiaq, which is Skoda’s ID.4 equivalent. Oddly, VW doesn’t yet have its own version of the Elroq, but the ID.3 hatchback indirectly fills that role. Like Skoda’s petrol crossover, it has a split headlight setup, while the larger Enyaq has integrated lights. The rear design appears to borrow heavily from its big brother.
The Elroq is available in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants with single-motor and dual-motor configurations, respectively. The base Elroq 50 model delivers 168 horsepower and 229 pound-feet (310 Newton-meters) of torque. This is followed by the mid-level Elroq 60, rated at 201 horsepower and the equivalent of 229 pound-feet (310 Nm). Stepping up to the Elroq 85 sends 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm) to the rear axle.
The top-of-the-line Elroq 85x features an additional electric motor on the front axle, allowing all-wheel drive. Skoda has not yet revealed power figures, but has said that an AWD model is expected to go on sale in late 2025. Depending on the version, the EV is equipped with three battery sizes with usable energy of 52kWh, 59kW and 77kWh.
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The largest battery is reserved for Elroq 85 and 85x and supports charging up to 175 kW. It takes 28 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80% using a DC station. The Elroq 60 consumes 165 kW, while the base Elroq 50 can output up to 145 kW. In both cases, you need to wait 25 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. AC up to 11 kW is also supported.
If range is your top priority, the rear-wheel drive Elroq 85 is the way to go. This is because a WLTP cycle can cover more than 348 miles (560 kilometers). This is known to be more optimistic than the EPA’s estimates. Top speed isn’t a selling point, but the cheaper model has been known to reach 100 mph (160 km/h) while the 85 model can reach 112 mph (180 km/h).
At 176.7 inches (448 millimeters) long, 74.1 inches (1884 millimeters) wide, and 65.1 inches (1654 millimeters) tall, the Elroq is significantly smaller than an ID.4, let alone an Enyaq. Skoda claims the car weighs 4,297 pounds (1,949 kilograms), but does not reveal the weight of each trim. If I had to guess, that figure is probably for the base rear-wheel-drive version without options. This Timiano Green paint job is new and exclusive to Elroq, and wheel sizes range from 19 inches to 21 inches.
Skoda wants the cheapest configuration to cost 33,900 euros ($37,600), noting that it’s about the same price as a similarly sized Karoq with an internal combustion engine. The order book for the 12 euro market will open tomorrow and that’s when the configurator will also go live. The limited-edition First Edition features a front light bar in addition to black finishes on the A-pillars and roof.
Sadly, VW Group isn’t bringing the Skoda to the United States, but don’t worry, they’ll be bringing the Cupra instead. The SEAT spinoff brand is expected to sell several electric crossovers in North America by the end of the 2010s.
