Electrifying Enyaq is the complete package
Skoda’s award magnet brings unrivalled value and practicality, writes Matt Allan
TheSkodaEnyaqhasbeenabit of a trophy magnet in 2021. It’s gathered five-star reviews, receivedawardsfromthelikesof What Car?, and was recently namedScottishCaroftheYear.
And it’s not hard to see why. Itlooksgood,hasloadsofspace and kit, a decent range and is remarkable value.
Thelooksareclearlylinked to the rest of the Skoda family and it feels like a sleeker, more modern stablemate to the Kodiaq SUV.
The interior is more of a step away. The flat floor and lack of transmission tunnel creates a spacious cabin and there’s a simplicity about the layout that’s pleasingly modern. Touches like the “pocket” that wraps around the digital instruments and low-level dash enhance the feeling of space.
The Enyaq is offered with two drivetrains and we tested the higher-performance iV 80, with an 82kWh battery and 201bhp rear-mounted motor.
Official tests put the 80’s range at 332 miles. In the real world that translated to 260 miles, which could have been extended with a little care. It’s the sort of usable range that elevates it beyond a commuter vehicle into something you won’t dread taking on longer journeys.
AworkengagementmeantI got to test the Enyaq’s performanceona350-milerunthattook in everything from B roads to motorways.Itwastoomuchfor one charge but a 45-minute fill up gave me more than enough tocompletethedriveandreach the office the next day.
On the school and commuting run, the Enyaq’s range was morethanenoughanditsoverallconsumptionof3.5milesper kWhimpressiveforsuchalarge car.
However you use it, the Enyaqoffersaquiet,relaxeddrive. There’sanimmediateresponse from the motor, although its 8.2-second 0-62 time is pretty humdrum. That’s hardly a big deal. This is a family vehicle, where its smooth ride and impressivenoiseinsulationarefar more important.
Other EVs also offer decent ride,refinementandconsumption but not many are its equal whenitcomestopracticalityor value.
The Enyaq is one of the few sub-£50k SUVs that can comfortably fit a family of five thanks to generous leg and headroomandaseriouslywide
rear bench.
The Kia Soul also offers decent passenger space but at the expense of boot space. Not so theEnyaq,whichstilloffers585 litres. A Ford Mustang Mach-e or Audi Q4 e-tron get closer on space but cost more.
We tested the basic Loft specification. That means no leather but a pleasant fabric upholstery and still plenty of equipment. 19-inch alloys and LED lights are standard and inside there’s a 13-inch touchscreen with navigation, dual zone climate control, digital instruments,awifihotspot,anda reversing camera.
Our car started at £39,350 before options raised it to £42,500. As nice as they all were, there wasn’t one that felt essential and I’d forgo them all to keep the car below £40,000
Even if you spend £42k, the Enyaq feels like great value. Nothing offers the same mix of space, practicality, real-world range and equipment for your money.