Toyota | 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

The new Isuzu and already mpressivd Isuzu D-Max has been transformed by Icelandic off-road specialists Arctic Trucks into something extraordinary. The result is the AT35 – a heavy-duty pickup that blends extreme off-road prowess with practical worksite capability, all wrapped in a head-turning, lifestyle-oriented package.

As its pricing confirms, this is far more than a mere workhorse. But how good is it?

Well, it’s certainly head-turning; I’ve rarely driven a vehicle that attracts so much attention. It comes packed with standard kit, including black alloy wheels, with 35-inch all-terrain tyres, Arctic Trucks side steps, mud flaps, badge, and branded interior and standard roof rails. It also had a chance to show its capability in snowy conditions.

You also get keyless entry and push-button start, USB-C ports and reversing camera, advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), and a wireless charger.

Built for extremes

Developed to tackle the planet’s most challenging environments, the AT35 features a reinforced chassis with Arctic Trucks-tuned Bilstein suspension. Dual-range all-wheel drive and a locking rear differential ensure traction is never in doubt. Massive 33-inch tyres permit an 800mm wading depth and enable it to traverse 40° side slopes, with a 35° approach angle allowing it to go where few production vehicles can

Power comes from a 1.9-litre turbo diesel, delivering 164 PS and 360 Nm of torque through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s a functional, if occasionally raucous, powerplant that settles into a distant hum once on the move. Fuel economy is impressive for its size, at just over 30 mpg.

Head turning road presence

This is an undeniably imposing machine. It sits high on its massive tyres, housed under dramatically flared arches. The test vehicle was enhanced with vivid red paint and powerful auxiliary lighting from a piercing a roof mounted Lazer Sports Bar and Lazer bumper lamps. Further functional styling comes from side bars, a dark bonnet protector, and door visors

Utility meets practicality

True to its pickup origins, the AT35 retains the D-Max 3.5-tonne towing capacity and a one-tonne payload. This example was fitted with over £8,000 worth of extras, elevating its on-the-road price from just over £58k to around £66k, but making it fully prepared for the toughest terrains. Extras included a lockable ARB canopy with roof rack, a load bed liner, and a lockable roller tonneau cover as standard.

Refined premium interior

Inside, rugged capability matched by comfort and high end connectivity. Leather upholstery and heated front seats offer comfort in all climates. The cabin is dominated by a responsive nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, supported by an eight-speaker sound system. A seven-inch driver’s screen and dual-zone climate control are also featured.

On the road performance

On tarmac, the commanding driving position affords excellent visibility. The upgraded suspension provides decent stability through corners for a vehicle of this height, though some body roll is inevitable. The ride can feel busy and bouncy when unladen. Performance figures of 0-62 mph in 12.4 seconds are adequate but largely irrelevant to this vehicle’s core mission.

Comprehensive safety

The D-Max AT35 is equipped with advanced safety technology, including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, and lane departure alerts. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert provide crucial awareness during manoeuvres

Verdict

The AT35 successfully blends extreme off-road engineering, worksite practicality, and striking lifestyle appeal. Although the diesel engine could be more refined and the unladen ride is on the firm side, these are relatively small trade-offs in a vehicle with such capabilities. Few rivals can match its combination of off-road prowess, practical pickup versatility, and commanding presence. It is a distinctive and highly capable machine.

Factfile

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35
Price: £58,095.00 (CVOTR) – with extras, £66,114.83 (CVOTR
Engine: 1898cc, 164PS, 4-cyl turbo diesel driving all wheels via 8-speed automatic transmission
Performance: 0-62 mph: 12.4 sec; Top speed: 112 mph
Economy: 30.3 mpg
CO2 emissions: 241 g/km
Insurance group: 42
Warranty: 5 years / 125,000 miles

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