Skoda | On the road

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

Skoda Kodiaq iV

By Bill McCarthy

The Kodiaq has proven itself as a strong contender in the competitive SUV market, offering an impressive blend of space, practicality, and value and ever-improving quality.

A more accessible alternative to premium rivals, it delivers many of the same key premium features without the luxury price tag.
Since its debut in 2016, the Kodiaq has proved a winner, and the second-generation offers a fresh design, updated technology, and is more sustainable.

Buyers can choose between petrol, diesel, or the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engine, with its extensive 70-mile EV range, along with the option of five or seven seats.

This plug-in model only offers five seats, to accommodate the large battery. This, however means there is greater boot space.
At a starting price of around £38k, you get plenty for your money.

The base SE includes 18-inch alloys, LED lights, heated front seats, keyless start, 13-inch nav, 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, tri-zone climate control.
This SE L model adds 19-inch alloys, Matrix LED headlights, keyless entry, power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, powered boot, and black leather interior.

Fresh design

Showcasing what Skoda describes as a “Modern Solid” design philosophy, it is a smart-looking SUV with a 6cm-longer wheelbase with improved aerodynamics.
It looks good with a slightly modified grille featuring the latest Skoda badge, flanked by stylish light clusters, with optional LED Matrix headlights and animated taillights. In addition, it sports snazzy 20-inch alloys, blacked-out roof rails and mirrors.

Eco-friendly interior

The premium touch extends inside the roomy cabin, which uses recycled materials for the seats and carpets. Eco-leather seats are also an option.

This model is dominated by a 13-inch touchscreen – an upgrade from the standard 10-inch option – which controls major functions like navigation, infotainment, smartphone connectivity.
Also available are a head-up display, wireless charging, and an AI voice assistant.

Secondary controls are logically placed, while the gear shift has been moved to the steering column, to create extra space on the centre console. It took a little bit of getting used to, but soon become second nature.
Other high-end touches include mood lighting and dark chrome accents.

Plug-in hybrid power and economy

The 1.5 TSI iV PHEV combines a 150PS turbo petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 204PS.
The acceleration is impressive for such a large vehicle, reaching 60 mph in just over eight seconds while achieving decent economy.
The official figure of 575mpg, like many plug-ins, does not equate to the real world, but around mid-40s mpg seemed reasonable during a varied test drive.
When running on electric power alone, the Kodiaq offers more than 70 miles of range, so in theory, the petrol engine would only be needed on longer journeys. The more battery use, the better the fuel economy.

On the road

The vehicle excels as a motorway cruiser with minimal cabin noise and provides a pleasant driving experience, especially in Comfort mode. Its well-crafted suspension absorbs road imperfections, while the optional Dynamic Chassis Control delivers extra comfort.
For a big SUV, it also handles particularly well. There is some wallow on corners, but most of the time, it feels stable and well-planted on the road.

Space and safety

Boot space, minus the rearmost two seats, is enormous, with 745 litres, expanding to an impressive 1,945 litres when the seats are folded down, while there is plenty of other space including large door bins, deep cubby storage under the central console and two gloveboxes.

Safety features are extensive, including nine airbags, collision avoidance technology, and safety features like blind spot detection, turn assist, and remote parking. A Travel Assist feature combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance to deliver safe and effortless, almost one-pedal motorway cruising.

Added value

Skoda also offers added value for customers with a host of Simply Clever additions like an umbrella stored in the driver’s door, cupholders with grips for bottles, and a parking ticket holder and ice scraper hidden in the petrol cap.

Verdict

With its spacious interior, environmentally friendly elements, and PHEV versatility, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a greener vehicle without compromise.

Factfile

Škoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI iV 204PS
Price: £45,465
Mechanical: 1,498cc, 204PS four-cylinder petrol engine and 85kW electric motor driving front via six-speed DSG transmission
Max speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 8.4 seconds
Combined mpg: 46mpg (71 miles EV range)
Insurance group: 24E
CO2 emissions: 11g/km
BiK rating: 5%
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles

On the road

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