Skoda ENYAQ iV: a "real" electric SUV

There are two ways to approach the arrival of electric cars on the market and how they are presented. One of them is the electric vehicle as a second car in a household that already has a larger car which doesn’t rely on a plug for long journeys, designed mainly for urban use. The Renault ZOE would be an example, although we have other recent ones, such as the new Mazda MX-30. City cars like the Opel Corsa e or the Peugeot e 208 would also fit this category.

The other approach, and the two are in no way mutually exclusive, is the one proposed by Skoda with the ENYAQ iV: an electric car for all uses, one that could make you forget completely about a combustion-engined car… provided the charging infrastructure gets its act together, and that is quite literally the point. And if it is an SUV, then it should also perform as one. This brings many aspects into play: design, versatility, interior space… but also range, dynamic qualities and even price.

For now, there are no direct rivals to the Czech model. Those that could fit in terms of concept and size, such as the BMW iX3 or the Tesla Model Y, are clearly more expensive. The one that comes closest on price would be the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Volkswagen ID.3 also subscribes to the “all-use” electric car philosophy with a long range, but it sits a step lower on price and is a compact model. The true rival to the ENYAQ iV will arrive soon: the Volkswagen ID.4, with which the Czech model shares the group’s MEB platform.

We have had a brief static first look at the new Skoda ENYAQ iV and learned all the details of its future range for the Spanish market. And we can only anticipate one thing: the ENYAQ iV is thoroughly convincing. In its size and price segment, and even including some that cost a few thousand euros more, I would even venture to say that it is currently the most complete electric car for anyone looking to forget entirely about combustion-engined cars.

The only drawback of lowering the roof height and of its line dropping slightly is that the panoramic roof can no longer be as large. Because I can already tell you that there is plenty of interior space in every dimension. Besides, you know that in an electric car aerodynamics and frontal area are key to range. The ENYAQ iV boasts a drag coefficient (Cx) of 0.27, which is not bad at all; a Audi e-tron, to name one, sits in the same region.

Further aesthetic details that draw attention, especially now that we have seen them in person and not just in photos: the “LED Crystal Face” grille. Nobody has done this before, but Skoda has taken advantage of the ENYAQ iV’s electric nature, and the fact that it does not need a cooling grille for the motor, to avoid simply leaving a closed grille. Some versions will optionally be able to fit this special illuminated grille, which some will find a little “baroque”, while others will see it as a distinctive, technological touch.

To close the chapter on exterior design, although I recommend you spend a few seconds going through the image gallery to appreciate all the details, another novelty on the Skoda is the brand’s emblem with all its letters on the tailgate. It seems to say something like “now it’s official, here I am”. There are reasons for that.

The interior design and cabin of the Skoda ENYAQ iV

If on the outside it is quite likely that few people would identify the ENYAQ as a Skoda model were the brand logos not clearly present, the same could be said of the interior.

The surprise is a build quality and presentation that stand up to comparison with any rival, which has become a constant in the latest Skoda models. The ENYAQ iV combines elegance, sophistication, technology and, above all, spaciousness. It may be electric, but it does not abandon the “simply clever” spirit in the slightest, although in this case Skoda takes it a little for granted. Surely that is partly because there is a lot to talk about.

To begin with, all versions will come as standard with that huge 13-inch touchscreen you can see in the photos. From here, and also from the steering wheel, all the vehicle’s main systems are controlled, although a row of physical buttons remains below the climate control vents for certain functions. Voice control is, of course, included.

The seats are completely new, with a very ergonomic design. Contrary to the usual trend, the virtual digital instrumentation (Virtual Cockpit) has a rather small screen, which is noticeable. In return, the HUD system projecting information onto the windscreen will feature augmented reality functions, such as dynamic navigation direction icons. It also comes as standard with 7 airbags, a novelty being the front central airbag located between driver and front passenger, more effective than the previous knee airbag.

Plenty of space, five personalisation styles

I liked the driving position, for its comfort and ergonomics, with the floating two-level centre console standing out for how well it is resolved, with a wide compartment at the bottom. As for rear seat space, it is not a Karoq… but almost. There are centimetres to spare for travelling very comfortably, and my only criticism would be that the floor sits higher than normal relative to the seat base, since the batteries run beneath it along the entire platform, which forces a slightly higher knee position when seated. Another aspect that caught my attention is the material used on the door trim. The front ones are soft to the touch, while the rear ones only look the part; when you touch them they are hard plastic. Even so, this does not detract from the car’s overall finish, which is a high “notable”.

A special mention for the boot, where the comparison with the Kodiaq comes to mind again. Reaching the Kodiaq’s 630 litres would be nearly a miracle, if offering a usable 585 litres with very regular shapes and a good space under the load floor, where among other things you can neatly store the charging cable, is not one already.

Customers who opt for an ENYAQ iV will be able to choose from five available interior personalisation styles: Loft, Lodge, Lounge, Ecosuite and Suite. Over the first, which would be standard, the price increases are, respectively, 600, 1,350, 1,550 and 1,850 euros, and they vary in colours and, above all, in the upholstery, trim, floor mats and dashboard materials: from fabric and recycled materials to synthetic or natural eco-leather, through technical fabrics such as microfibres, or combinations of the above.

ENYAQ iV range: you choose the motor and battery, not the equipment

Another novelty to get used to is the pairing of fixed equipment packs with the motor and battery versions. This simplifies the commercial offer by eliminating long lists of options, which are now grouped into packs.

The launch range includes the ENYAQ iV 60, with 180 CV, a 58 kWh battery and 390 km of WLTP range, with a price from 39,000 euros; and the ENYAQ iV 80, with 205 CV, a 77 kWh battery and 510 km of range, and a price from 45,000 euros. Both have a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive. To the prices mentioned you can add the brand discount (between 2,000 and 3,000 euros depending on version) and the purchase aid from the Plan Moves scheme, which goes up to 5,500 euros.

The 60 comes as standard with dual-zone climate control, chrome finishes, rear parking sensors, multifunction leather steering wheel and keyless entry. The 80 version adds rain and light sensors, digital radio, 10-inch alloy wheels, compatibility with 50 kW fast charging and an 11 kW charger.

Shortly after launch the range will be completed with the ENYAQ iV 80 X and the RS, both with a second electric motor, four-wheel drive and an output of 265 and 305 CV respectively. In both cases the battery is 77 kWh, with a range of 460 km. No price has been announced for these versions.

Depending on the motor and battery version, charging times can feel… endless if you plug in at home at 2.3 kW (between 30 and 40 hours), or just over half an hour with 125 kW fast charging to reach 80% battery capacity. The best option for charging at home or at work is to choose one of the wallboxes that Skoda offers through Elli, so the full charge can be completed overnight. At 7.4 kW this charge takes between 9 and 12 hours depending on battery capacity, and between 6 and 8 hours with an 11 kW output.

New driver assistance systems

The ENYAQ iV is also well equipped when it comes to driver assistance. Up to 15 systems can be fitted between the standard and optional equipment, with three of them being new for the brand.

Two of these relate to parking. Trained Parking is an assistant that can memorise a parking manoeuvre, for example from the garage door at home, and then replicate it whenever you want from outside the vehicle.

Remote Parking Control is especially practical for finishing parking, controlling from outside the car the final forward or backward movement, for example when parking in a space that would not allow the door to open.

Finally, the Urban Evasive Steering Support takes advantage of the connectivity between vehicles to receive on-board information about possible free parking spaces or hazards on the road, among other functions.

ENYAQ iV Skoda image gallery