Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV: we test the electric SUV that will make you look at Skoda with new eyes

It turns heads as it passes, and no wonder: the Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV is a very eye-catching car, especially with certain exterior paints such as Mamba Green (exclusive to the RS version) or Fenix Orange and, above all, in the case of the RS versions, with 21-inch wheels and those glossy black “touches” that seem to say “here I am”. And that is exactly what Skoda does: it takes pride not only in the car it has just launched on the market, but in how well things are going for it… and in its future forecasts.

The brand closed last year with worldwide sales of 731,000 units, 16.7% less than the previous year as a consequence of the market situation; you know: the war in Ukraine, the semiconductor crisis, rising energy and raw material prices… But it generated around 14% more revenue, as it sells more and more cars in higher segments with greater equipment, which leave bigger margins. And in Spain? Skoda now reaches a market share of 3.3%, and closed 2022 with a record historic profitability for its dealer network.

The plan is to reach a 4% market share during 2023, with a goal of reaching 5% over the next three years. In addition, with very good news: the future small SUV that will complete the Skoda range at the bottom will be manufactured in Spain. Although for that we will have to wait at least until 2026. Before then, Skoda’s electric offering will have added the Vision 7S and a compact SUV to the Enyaq iV and Enyaq Coupé iV. But that is another story, and now it’s our turn to talk about the Enyaq Coupé iV.

Range and prices of the Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV

With the arrival of the new entry-level variant, the iV 60, the Skoda Enyaq Coupé offers five choices depending on the battery and drive type (rear-wheel or all-wheel drive with dual motor). An interesting detail is that, with the same drivetrain, choosing the Coupé body does not mean an extra cost compared with the Enyaq SUV, which for now is only offered in the two most powerful versions. In Audi, for example, the Sportback variant of the Q4 e-tron costs between 1,500 and 2,000 euros more than the SUV.

This is how the range and prices of the Enyaq Coupé iV stand:

• Enyaq Coupé iV 60: 53,200 euros
• Enyaq Coupé iV 80: 58,600 euros
• Enyaq Coupé iV 80 Sportline: 61,100 euros
• Enyaq Coupé iV 80X: 61,100 euros
• Enyaq Coupé iV RS: 64,400 euros

The 60, 80 and 80 Sportline versions have a rear motor that delivers 132 kW (179 CV) in the 60, and 150 kW (204 CV) in the 80 and 80 Sportline, in all three cases with 310 Nm of torque and the same performance: 8.8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed limited to 160 km/h. For the 80X and the RS the configuration is a motor on the axle and all-wheel drive, delivering 195 kW (265 CV) and 415 Nm of torque in the 80X, and 220 kW (299 CV) and 460 Nm in the RS, which makes it the most powerful Skoda in production sold to date. For the 80X the top speed remains limited to 160 km/h, increasing to 180 km/h in the RS, which also accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h half a second faster, in 6.5 seconds.

As for batteries and range, only the 60 has the smaller-capacity battery, with 62 kWh gross (58 kWh net), delivering a range of 416 km. The rest use an 82 kWh gross (77 kWh net) battery, which gives a WLTP range of up to 553 km in the 80 Sportline and 544 km in the 80, and 520 km and 522 km for the 4×4 versions, the 80X and the RS, respectively. These ranges are slightly better than in the SUV, thanks to the Coupé’s better aerodynamic coefficient, whose Cx stands at 0.23 for the 60 version.

A couple of considerations regarding prices. First, only the 60 and 80 versions can benefit from the Plan Moves III, which requires the maximum vehicle price before taxes to be 45,000 euros in the case of passenger cars. Skoda announces a price for the Enyaq Coupé iV 60 from 42,700 euros, including Moves III (with the handover of a car for scrapping) and the brand’s launch sales campaign. Another thing that stands out: the 80 Sportline and the 80X have the same price, even though the latter incorporates two motors and all-wheel drive and is more powerful. The explanation is that the Sportline trim comes with more equipment, including the Black, LED, Comfort M and M sport driving packages, as well as the black grille, 20″ anthracite-colored wheels, the sport chassis and the Sportline interior, all valued at 2,500 euros.

Finally, before you look it up, let me tell you: although Skoda says it does not want to enter “premium” territory, with the Enyaq Coupé it fully does, with prices practically equivalent to those of the Audi Q4 e-tron, with which it shares its platform. Yes, you read that right: a Skoda at Audi prices. Other alternatives it competes with are the Volkswagen ID.5, which is even cheaper than the Skoda, or the new Volvo C40 Recharge.

Equipment: packs à la carte

And since we’re on the subject, to settle the matter of equipment that we mentioned when talking about the Sportline, it’s worth highlighting the complete standard equipment of the Enyaq Coupé, which from the 60, 80 and 80 X versions includes two-zone climate control, 19-inch wheels, voice control, multifunction heated leather steering wheel, multimedia system with digital radio and 13-inch screen, keyless entry and, except on the entry-level model, parking sensors and a rear-view camera as well. Next comes the Sportline trim reserved for the 80 with rear-wheel drive, and from there we move on to the RS, which adds to the latter 20-inch wheels, Matrix LED headlights, heated front seats, wireless phone charger, sport suspension (firmer and lower ride height), electric tailgate and infotainment package with navigation. All Enyaq Coupés come as standard with a Mode 2 charging cable (Schuko) so you can use a household socket in a pinch, and a Mode 3 Type 2 cable (32 A) for public charging posts.

To simplify the range and configuration options, Skoda offers six interior ambiences that differ in colors and upholstery, named Loft, Lodge, Lounge, Suite, Ecosuite and Sportline. The Loft is standard, the step up to the Lodge costs 500 euros, and the rest are between 1,000 and 1,500 euros. Separately, you can choose from six preconfigured option packs, with comfort, infotainment, driving, lighting or functional elements to make better use of the boot, plus the different wheel types and the 9 body colors, two of which are solid paint at no extra cost, and 7 metallic shades that carry an additional cost of 725 euros. You can also fit the spectacular illuminated Crystal Face front grille (includes more than 130 LED lights) or a head-up display projected on the windshield (HUD) with flawless operation, which makes us forget that the standard instrumentation has a very small screen for what is customary (just over 5 inches) and very few customization options.

All versions of the Enyaq Coupé come with a huge glass panoramic roof that from the outside contrasts with the bodywork thanks to its darkened tone, and that provides great brightness to the cabin, although it takes away some centimeters of available headroom compared with the Enyaq SUV in the rear seats. Even so, the resulting space does not pose problems for two adults to travel here comfortably. As for the boot, more of the same: the loss of 15 litres compared with the SUV is not worrying at all, since the Coupé stands at around 570 litres, one of the best figures in its class.

The new ME 3 software update

Another novelty incorporated in the Skoda Enyaq Coupé is a software update that Skoda calls ME 3, which integrates important improvements. For example, those relating to battery management, optimizing thermal management to improve efficiency and the charging process with alternating current, which increases peak power from 125 to 135 kW. The new software allows, for example, battery preconditioning to activate at lower temperatures. Charging times range from 8 hours on an 11 kW wallbox to half an hour to go from 10% to 80% charge using maximum power with alternating current. For the infotainment system, the new software brings a redesign of some menus, an update of the navigation system, more intuitive access to the Lane Assist lane-keeping assist control and improvements in the way charging points are filtered.

Finally, the Travel Assist 2.5 assistant package provides car-to-x communication between vehicles so that other users can benefit from information about road alerts or traffic, along with improvements to Lane Assist to detect yellow markings and objects on the road, as well as the ability to change lanes autonomously when driving on motorways at speeds above 90 km/h simply by activating the indicator.

This software update will be installed remotely -after the user accepts it upon receiving a message- also on the Enyaq SUVs, without the need to visit the dealership.

Behind the wheel of the Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV

The Skoda Enyaq, both SUV and Coupé, is one of those cars that surprise you the moment you get behind the wheel for how well it is made. The surprise is even greater if you compare it with cars like the Volkswagen ID.4 or the ID.5, its “cousins”, because the feeling is as if the roles had been swapped: more welcoming and with a sense of higher quality and attention to detail in the Skoda, versus the simplicity of the Volkswagen. The driving position is very well resolved, and the coupé body does not compromise visibility either. On the downside, I would note an instrument cluster that, at least to me, feels small, and an infotainment system whose menu navigation remains not very intuitive, despite the latest update.

Despite its image and more sporty approach, the Enyaq Coupé iV does not differ from the SUV when it comes to driving, in that it is a car that favors ride comfort over dynamic behavior where agility takes priority. This makes it very suitable for travelling, something that is entirely possible thanks to the good range figures, as long as you drive calmly. With firmer damping and a lowered body height (15 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear), which is standard on the Sportline and RS and optional on the rest, you gain a point of agility, but you lose two in comfort if it comes with the wider, lower-profile tyres: it is impossible not to notice the jolts over potholes or pronounced bumps. Even so, the Enyaq Coupé stands out for the calm with which kilometres can be covered comfortably and with excellent insulation from what happens outside. It can also be fitted with a damping-control suspension.

The 4×4 versions with two motors add to the conventional driving modes one intended for driving in low-grip situations, such as gravel tracks or slippery asphalt, which guarantees constant traction to all four wheels at speeds of up to 20 km/h. In the remaining modes (comfort, eco, sport or individual) there are differences that are clearly noticeable in how the accelerator responds. I found it took me a little while to adapt to the feel of the brakes, with little initial bite; and I would have liked the four levels of the energy recovery system, selectable via the paddles on the steering wheel, to offer a higher level of retention.

Although the 60 version, with its 310 Nm of maximum torque, can be a more than reasonable minimum, the extra power of the 80 versions is noticeable when you want to move with agility in all kinds of situations. There is much more difference in performance between the 60 (with its 179 CV) and the 80 with 204 CV than there is between the 80 and the 80X with two motors and 265 CV. As for the RS, it does not stand out as you might expect from its name and appearance either: it remains more of a magnificent car for travelling than a sports car to enjoy on winding roads, although it does not struggle if the route is fast and the surface is good. Consumption with the RS during the test route, without using Eco mode and driving rather lightly, was almost 22 kWh per 100 km, which is not bad at all, and allows trips of around 350 km while leaving some margin to recharge safely.

Skoda Enyaq Coupé – Image gallery