Macfivenews

Škoda Elroq 85 SportLine

By Bill McCarthy

Skoda is building an excellent range of cars. From the premium, limo-like Superb flagship to the enduring Fabia, a clever small car that’s been winning drivers over for more than 25 years. Now its latest all-electric SUV looks set to repeat the formula, blending sharp design, everyday usability, and modern tech.

Its success is already obvious. Škoda has already built 100,000 units at the time of writing and it has been Europe’s second best-selling BEV in 2025 and, ironically, given it is German-owned, winning the ‘German Car of the Year 2026’ award.

Trim and power options

It is available in four trims: SE, SE L, Edition, flagship SportLine and lately the very rapid VRs version. There are three rear-wheel-drive powertrain options, all with a single rear-mounted motor.

The entry-level Elroq 50 provides 170 PS and a WLTP range up to 232 miles. The mid-spec 60 increases power to 204 PS and extends the range to 265 miles, while the range-topping 85 delivers 286 PS and a WLTP range of up to 360 miles.

Well equipped

Even the base SE trim is well-equipped with13-inch touchscreen, digital cockpit, fabric/leatherette upholstery, and a rear-view camera. The SE L adds a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, satellite navigation and Škoda Connect.

Edition adds 19-inch anthracite alloys, privacy glass, travel assist plus, keyless entry, and wireless charging. This flagship SportLine has 20-inch black alloys, matrix LED headlights, sporty bumpers, microsuede upholstery, sports seats, progressive steering, and a powered tailgate.

Smart design

Positioned below the Enyaq, the Elroq boasts a sleek, aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of just 0.26. Its design is smart rather than flashy, featuring a glossy black ‘Tech-Deck Face’ instead of a traditional grille, bonnet lettering replacing the badge, and stylish light clusters with optional adaptive functions. The SportLine adds distinctive black wheel arch trims, housing specific aerodynamic alloy wheels.

High-end Interior

The cabin feels upmarket, with plentiful soft-touch materials and a spacious, airy feel. The seats are supportive and fully adjustable. A standard 13-inch central touchscreen acts as the command centre, complemented by a physical button bar for quick access to key functions.

A digital driver’s display provides real-time info, with an optional augmented reality head-up display. Sustainability is emphasised, with some of the plastics containing significant recycled content such as PET bottles, fishing nets, and clothing.

Practicality

Practicality is a core strength with the Elroq. The boot offers 470 litres of space, expanding to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded. Škoda’s famous ‘Simply Clever’ touches abound, including a Jumbo Box with storage tray, rear-seat storage, folding luggage hooks, an underfloor cargo area, an integrated ice scraper, a driver’s door umbrella, and a warning triangle in the tailgate. It also offers clever storage for the charging cable in the boot lid.

On the road

The SportLine 85 variant is something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Performance is rapid with drive delivered to the rear wheel and propelling the vehicle to 60mph in just 6.6 seconds. Not the quickest in EV terms but still pretty rapid. The lowered suspension offers real stability and confidence when cornering, where it feels agile and stable, with enough steering feedback to keep the driver honest about the car’s capabilities.

Otherwise, the ride is firmer than the standard model, but still comfortable enough for family duties. In addition, drivers can tailor regenerative braking intensity via steering wheel paddles, including a strong one-pedal driving mode.

The Elroq fell short of the claimed 355-mile WLTP range during a test drive that included darkness, rain and snow, conditions all designed to suck out battery life. But a range of 270-plus seemed pretty comfortable.

Rapid charging and app access

Charging is swift, with DC peak speeds enabling a 10-80 per cent charge in approximately 25-28 minutes with battery pre-conditioning. The enhanced MyŠkoda app provides access to over 800,000 charging points via Powerpass and offers remote control for charging, climate, and locking.

Safety features

Safety is comprehensive. Standard kit includes Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist protection, Lane Assist, and a full parking sensor suite with a rear camera. From Edition trim, it adds Travel Assist with swarm data, a semi-automated system that combines adaptive cruise control and lane centring. Options include Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring) and Remote Park Assist.

Verdict

The Elroq is an excellent all-round package, successfully combining extended range, strong practicality, and generous standard equipment. The SportLine 85 variant builds on this solid foundation by adding a more engaging and genuinely enjoyable driving experience.

Factfile

Škoda Elroq SportLine 85
Price: £46,310 (OTR)
Mechanical: 286 PS single electric motor driving the rear wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission.
Performance: 0-62 mph in 6.6 seconds
Maximum speed 111 mph.
Range: 355 miles (WLTP combined).
CO2 Emissions: 0 g/km.
BIK: 3%.
Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles vehicle; 8 years / 100,000 miles battery

BYD SEALION 5 DM-i

By Bill McCarthy

With the turn of the year comes a fresh challenge from Chinese giant BYD, which has overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest EV manufacturer and says it is raising the stakes yet again. Originally a tech company BYD (Build Your Dreams) was founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer and has expanded its ‘blade’ battery technology into automotive, electronics, renewable energy, and rail transit.

Its latest vehicle, the SEALION 5 DM-i has been launched with a price tag of under £30,000 on the road, and has thrown down the gauntlet in the mid-size SUV market.

Design and styling

At just under five metres long, both versions – Comfort and Design – feature a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system as standard, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined maximum output of 215bhp.

Like its siblings, this model has a striking profile with the signature so-called “Dragon Face” design, featuring full-LED headlights and slim daytime-running lights. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar and sharply angled tail-lights, combined with an integrated spoiler, enhance the sporty look. The car is equipped with striking 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels.

Interior and technology

The interior has an upmarket feel with vegan leather upholstery, and powered and heated front seats. Head and legroom are good, and the cabin is spacious enough to easily accommodate a family of five in comfort. Central is the stylish centre console that houses the gearshift and other controls, and offers generous storage space underneath.

This is supplemented by a 12.8-inch rotating multi-touch touchscreen and complemented by a clear 8.8-inch full-LCD instrument cluster offering the driver real-time information.

The rotating touchscreen controls infotainment, navigation and connectivity via built-in 4G and BYD cloud services. Intelligent voice control, activated by saying “Hi, BYD,” offers extra safety while driving. An added bonus is its Vehicle-to-Load function, which lets you use the car as a giant power bank for everything from camping to powering a coffee maker.

Practicality

A large boot provides a substantial 463-litre capacity, easily accommodating luggage. The 40:60-split folding rear seats can expand this space to a generous 1,410 litres, featuring a flat load floor for easy loading of bulky items.

Spec levels and value

The entry-level Comfort model starts at £29,995, undercutting most rivals while featuring plenty of standard kit. This includes smartphone integration, a rear-view camera, automatic LED lights, and power-folding heated mirrors. It feels like a top-spec car.

However, the £32,995 Design trim adds puddle lights, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and wireless charging. It hits the sweet spot for those who love their bells and whistles.

This SUV offers the growing necessity of electric power and the readiness of a petrol car, all in one powertrain. It not only undercuts rival petrol SUVs on price but also comes better equipped and should lower running costs.

Powertrain and performance

Power is drawn from a choice of two battery packs. The Comfort model has a 12.96 kWh unit for up to 38 miles of electric-only driving. The Design trim features a larger 18.3 kWh battery, extending the electric range to over 53 miles and contributing to a WLTP-rated fuel economy of 134.5 mpg and combined CO2 emissions of 48g/km. It is heavier, and as a result, acceleration to 60 mph is over eight seconds.

BYD says that with a full charge and tank, both versions offer a total range of up to 631 miles.

The driving experience is smooth, with the power unit delivering plenty of pace. It becomes notably more raucous when flooring the accelerator, but never uncomfortably so. It handles well, as an extended drive from the M54 in Shropshire into the rolling hills and twisting roads of mid-Wales demonstrated.

Its stability and agility handled both sweeping and tight curves with aplomb, always feeling well-planted. The steering also offered plenty of feedback, allowing you to push it while understanding the limits.

Safety

Comprehensive measures include adaptive and intelligent cruise control, lane-keeping and departure functions, blind spot and collision warnings, speed limit control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking. For occupant safety, it comes with seven airbags

Verdict

The SEALION 5 delivers a balance of comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability. Its firm yet comfortable ride makes it easy to live with, and it is ideal for families who want one sensible, practical vehicle – without committing fully to an EV.

On the road

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