Skoda Enyaq iV review

This is Skoda's first purpose-built electric car. It's equivalent to the Volkswagen ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron: it’s based on the same platform and uses the same powertrain and technologies. Other competitors include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Kia Niro EV and the Tesla Model Y.

Funny how even though they’re all ultimately derived from a common toolkit of platforms, engines and technologies, the Skoda is often a better bet than the equivalent Volkswagen. Not always, but frequently. As much is true of the Kodiaq versus the Tiguan, the Superb versus the Passat and even the Octavia versus the Golf. 

Run me through the range…

Skoda’s first purpose-built EV comes in four broad flavours: 60, 80, 80x and now vRS. The Enyaq iV 60 has a 58kWh battery and the pricier 80-badged models have a 77kWh battery (net). Everything without an x in its name is a single motor, rear-wheel drive car, while the 80x has a more powerful dual motor set-up and four-wheel drive. You’re looking at between 246 and 339 miles of official WLTP range, which is excellent for the money. 

The 80 gets 201bhp and the 60 gets 177bhp, but there’s only 0.2 seconds between their 0-62mph times and they both have 229lb ft of torque. Oh, and the cars charge at a max rate of 120 and 135kW respectively. The 80x develops a perky 261bhp – not that you'll be deploying that power too often unless you want to see your remaining range plummet.

Top of the tree is the flagship vRS, which gets a similar dual motor, four-wheel drive set-up to the 80x, but outputs 295bhp and 339lb ft of torque. That results in a 0-62mph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 111mph – 12mph faster than any of the other Enyaq models – and a claimed range of up to 321 miles. Full details over on the Driving tab.

There's also a sleeker Coupe version of the Enyaq iV, which can also be had in sportier vRS guise. Click those blue words to find out more.

Is it any good?

The Skoda looks and feels conventional – you wouldn’t mistake an ID.4 for a normal car, but you might an Enyaq – which will please as many people as it disappoints.

And there are surely few easier introductions to electric cars than this. Civilised to drive, comfortable enough to ride in (though it does get a little jiggly over uneven surfaces), and commendably quick whatever spec you go for. Though we’d suggest avoiding the vRS, which doesn’t quite live up to its billing.

There’s nothing too flashy about the interior, but it’s logically laid out and offers a 13-inch central touchscreen that’s far less infuriating to use than that found in the ID.4. It’s slightly longer too (but shorter than Skoda’s own Kodiaq, a TG favourite), so it’s got a bigger boot. Over 100 litres more with all the seats folded flat, which is not to be sniffed at. Check out the Interior tab for more.

How much does it cost?

Prices start from £38,970 for the single motor, smaller batteried variant, rising to £42,925 for the bigger battery and £50,805 for the dual motor (4WD). You’re looking at £52,670 for the vRS range-topper. 

That’s about on par with the VW ID.4, but significantly cheaper than the Audi Q4 e-tron. Head over to the Buying tab for the full lowdown.

Want to know what the best electric cars are? Click here for the top 20

Remember what we said at the top of this page? Once more Skoda has built a car that could well be a better buy than the equivalent Volkswagen: the Enyaq edges both the ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron on several fronts. 

It drives just as well as its cousins, has a less annoying, more practical interior (particularly compared to the ID.4) and costs around the same or less than its sibling rivals. Best try all three before you commit to buying, but we know where we’d spend our money.