My experience with Skoda’s cars have thus far been generally quite pleasant. Their sporty RS models are sparkling and memorable performance bargains, but even their regular cars seem to have that little something that makes them a little bit special, and sets them apart from other brands.
Alas, even the finest brands will sometimes miss the mark, and it seems that the Elroq is the first Skoda I’ve driven that has felt like somewhat of a disappointment.
Firstly, a brief introduction. The Elroq is Skoda’s small electric SUV offering, and their second EV model for Singapore, after the larger Enyaq. It’s meant to go up against a whole host of other electric SUVs in this segment, ranging from Chinese contenders like the Zeekr X, fellow Europeans like the Volvo EX30, and Korean offerings like the Hyundai Kona EV, plus many other competitors in between.
On the surface, the Elroq looks rather understated. The Skoda visual identity is clearly there, with its clean cut lines and fairly nondescript shape. It does try a little to be different, by going for a streamlined front end design consisting of the thin LED headlights and a gloss black panel taking the place of the traditional grille, as well as the choice of spelling the word ‘Skoda’ instead of using the brand’s logo. But otherwise, if you’d imagine what a small Skoda SUV would look like, the Elroq is what would come to mind.
It’s more or less the same story inside. If you didn’t know better, the Elroq’s interior could literally be lifted off any other Skoda model. There are some hints as to the car’s EV-ness, such as the tiny 5.0-inch driver instrument display, a trait that is shared across the Elroq’s fellow Volkswagen Group EVs like the Cupra Tavascan and Volkswagen ID.4. And again, the Elroq’s aversion to the Skoda logo is made known again on the steering wheel boss.
Generally speaking though, Skoda’s approach to interior design should be applauded. It does not try to reinvent the wheel, and instead aims to deliver an experience that is as familiar as possible to those making the switch from regular cars. The 13-inch infotainment touchscreen is easy to use, and there are actual physical buttons and switches for the major controls, which is a refreshing departure from the touchscreen-intensive interface of many EVs.
Despite its compact size, the Elroq does fare pretty well in terms of interior space. Two adults can fit comfortably at the back, with a decent amount of legroom and headroom, though three might be a bit of a tight squeeze. The boot capacity of 470 litres is generous as well, and is expandable to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Skoda being Skoda, there are a few nice touches that let you know that they have thought about everyday practicality, such as the storage net under the parcel shelf for small loose items, little shelves on both sides of the boot area, and the hidden compartment inside the doors that can store a folded umbrella. The red seat belts also add a touch of raciness to the cabin, though some might find it a tad amusing given that this is hardly a car that is made for performance.
And it is performance where the Elroq falls short. On paper, the headline figures of 201bhp and 310Nm of torque seem decent enough. However, the car doesn’t feel particularly punchy or energetic. Instead, it prefers to amble through its acceleration gradually, with its 0-100km/h sprint time of 8 seconds testament to the car’s laid-back nature.
It would have been fine if the Elroq was a comfortable cruiser, but it is not. The ride is unbelievably bumpy, and the suspension copes badly with the many pockmarked and badly surfaced roads that litter our island.
It tries to compensate for that at least with some mildly engaging handling, though there’s quite a bit of emphasis on the ‘mildly’. Being a rear-wheel-drive setup means that it is always going to fare somewhat better than many of its front drive EV rivals, but truth be told, the Elroq is at best a neutral handler, cornering well without much fuss or drama, nor any semblance of excitement for that matter.
The steering is well-weighted, and there’s a good degree of composure otherwise, but this is not a car that will entertain you in any sense.
Strangely, for an EV, there’s no way to adjust the level of regenerative braking. It is switched off by default, and then comes on when you engage the Sport driving mode. Apparently, in other markets like the UK, the selection setting is only available on higher spec cars for some bizarre reason, but Singapore only gets one trim level, so this is what we have to settle with.
Arguably the biggest letdown though is the Elroq’s range. Skoda claims a WLTP-rated figure of 430km on a full charge, but several testers have reported barely cracking the 300km mark with the test car, myself included. It’s not a great look in today’s day and age, though Skoda Singapore says it has noted the feedback and are checking if it’s an issue with the test drive unit in particular.
It’s a bit of a shame, because the Elroq does display some hints of the well-loved Skoda ingenuity, especially in its practical interior and smart design. If it could sort out its various drivability shortcomings, like its harsh ride and lacklustre range, then the Elroq would probably be able to make a better fist of competing in this highly-competitive EV market.
