Skoda Enyaq

Skoda is set to put its stamp on the electric car market with this all-new large SUV On sale Early 2021 Price from £40,000 (est)

THIS ALL-NEW ENYAQ is far from being the first electric Skoda; that was called the Puck and arrived way back in 1941. Now, admittedly the Puck was a sit-on child’s toy, yet the two hours its rider could spend whizzing along at 7mph still gave them an early Skoda EV experience.

RIVALS

More recently we’ve also had the Citigo-e iv hatchback. But while that’s based on an existing car, the Enyaq is new from the ground up and designed to fill the Skoda-sized hole in the market for large electric SUVS.

As you might have gathered from the paint scheme in the photos, it isn’t finished yet. Instead, we’ve been driving prototype Enyaqs, which are about 70% representative of what buyers will get, according to Skoda. First deliveries aren’t due until early next year.

Under the skin, the Enyaq is closely related to the upcoming Volkswagen ID 3. The entry-level model (which is badged as the 50 and likely to cost around £40,000 before any government grant) features a single 146bhp motor and a 55kwh battery that gives it a range of around 211 miles. Next up, the 62kwh 60 model delivers 177bhp and, potentially, 242 miles. But the longest range belongs to the 82kwh 80; its 201bhp of poke should propel you for 311 miles.

All of the above are rear-wheel drive, but there will also be two four-wheel-drive versions with another motor that drives the front wheels. Both use the 82kwh battery; one has 262bhp and is called the 80X, while a 302bhp version will wear Skoda’s VRS performance badge and should manage 0-62mph in a whisker over six seconds. This will be the most expensive Enyaq, at around £50,000, but Skoda claims both four-wheel-drive versions will eke out 286 miles between charges. For reference, the smaller, cheaper Hyundai Kona Electric will officially do up to 278 miles.

Depending on which battery option you choose, charging from 10-80% can take as little as 40 minutes using a 125kw DC public charger. A 50kw charger does the same job in an hour and a quarter, while a 7.2kw AC home wallbox will take around eight hours.

Although the cars we drove were covered up, we saw the finished interior and the quality appears very high – much better than in a Kia e-niro. The basic driving position is also great, with lots of adjustment to the driver’s seat and steering wheel and a large armrest for each elbow to lean on. There’s a simple 5.3in digital instrument display and an augmented