electric | 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

Audi Q4 S line 45 e-tron

By Bill McCarthy

Audi’s enduring popularity is a tribute to a strategy developed over recent decades, built on premium quality, a comprehensive vehicle range and clever marketing. Who has never heard of the phrase “Vorsprung durch Technik”, even without understanding its meaning?

Many EVs lose their brand character, particularly with the disappearance of the traditional grille, but Audi remains an aspirational brand for many customers looking to move upmarket. There is, however, a premium to pay for a premium vehicle, with this mid-range S-Line model costing well over £50,000.

Sleek and aerodynamic

This Q4 e-tron also stands out not just as a handsome vehicle, but because, unusually in this segment, it is a rear-wheel-drive model powered by a single motor. Although the grille is now a smooth, flat panel, it still retains the signature Audi four-ring look.

Featuring modern LED headlights, the car’s slippery shape is designed for efficiency. To the rear, there is a full-width LED light strip and a built-in spoiler. The look is rounded off with smart alloys and integrated roof rails. Overall, the 0.28 drag coefficient improves its driving range and reduces road noise.

Hi-tech, premium cabin

As one of the smaller SUVs, sitting between the Q3 and Q5, it remains spacious, offering a 2.77-metre wheelbase that delivers decent rear legroom. Inside, the cabin offers a premium ambience with logically placed, intuitive controls and typical high-end, hi-tech equipment.

It is dominated by an 11.6-inch multifunction central screen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The central screen controls major functions like smartphone connectivity, various apps, infotainment and navigation via the familiar Multi Media Interface (MMI) system.

Standard equipment on this version includes the usual electronic aids, camera-based traffic sign recognition, a digital radio, four-way lumbar support for the front seats, an auto-dimming frameless rear-view mirror, exterior folding door mirrors with an auto-dimming function, a front centre armrest and logo projectors in the exterior mirrors. This is not to mention more than £2,000 worth of optional extras fitted to our test car.

Performance and drive quality

Performance is decent. It is not the quickest off the mark, but hitting 60 mph in 6.7 seconds should provide enough pace for most. The powertrain consists of a 77 kWh battery and a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 204 PS and a hefty 310 Nm of torque, which also provides great mid-range pull.

It handles well, feeling agile on sharp bends, and its responsive steering enhances the overall driving experience. On the motorway, it is a near-silent cruiser, with only tyre noise – depending on the road surface – becoming intrusive. There is little wind noise, and the car offers a refined driving experience. Adjustable regenerative braking helps to maximise efficiency during driving.

Real-world range

The official WLTP range is around 337 miles, a figure that proved impossible to match over a lengthy 400-odd mile drive. Conditions were appalling for the first part – heavy rain and murky weather – with wipers, de-misters and lights draining the battery at, at times, an alarming rate. The indicated range hovered around 210 miles. As conditions improved on the return leg, that figure increased to nearer 260 miles.

What was noticeable was that using the adaptive cruise control on the motorway and setting it to around 65 mph allowed the vehicle to run at its most efficient, with the range dropping at a much slower rate.

While range anxiety is always at the back of one’s mind with an EV, the vast improvement in charging infrastructure means longer journeys can be planned with confidence. Using a DC fast charger with a peak rate of 135 kW allows the battery to be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in just under half an hour.

Practicality and safety

Like all SUVs, it is a practical vehicle and offers good stowage capacity. Accessed by a powered tailgate, the boot provides 520 litres of space, which can be expanded for larger loads by folding the 40:20:40 split rear seats, opening up to 1,490 litres.

All Audis are safe and this model includes the Audi pre sense front system, which provides autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning. Other features include adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance and a full suite of airbags.

Verdict

In summary, this Q4 e-tron delivers a quality, tech-focused interior, practical space, and a refined, stable driving experience. While its real-world range is weather-dependent and its price is high for the class, it remains an upmarket choice for buyers prioritising brand prestige, cabin finish, and motorway comfort over outright efficiency or value.

Factfile

Audi Q4 S line 45 e-tron
Price: £56,580 (plus options)
Mechanical: 286 PS, single rear-mounted electric motor and 77 kWh battery driving rear wheels.
Max speed: 112 mph
0-60 mph: 6.7 seconds
Range (WLTP): Up to 332 miles
Insurance group: 34 tbc
CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
BIK rating: 3 per cent
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles. Battery: 8 years/100,000 miles.

On the road

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