Words - Richard Edwards
Published 2 February 2026
Skoda has launched a two-pronged offensive on the local EV sector, pulling the covers off the all-new Elroq compact SUV alongside a heavily revised Enyaq.
These models mark a major aesthetic pivot for the Czech marque, debuting the new ‘Modern Solid’ design language. The headline act is the ‘Tech Deck Face’, a high-gloss black panel that ditches the traditional grille entirely to house the vehicle’s sensor array.
The electric Karoq?
The Elroq effectively marks Skoda’s proper entry into the compact electric SUV segment. It slots in as the more accessible, slightly smaller sibling to the Enyaq, though it shares plenty of the same MEB architecture underneath.
We’ll see two variants initially: the Elroq 60 and the Elroq Sportline 85. The entry-level 60 runs a 59kWh (net) battery feeding a rear-mounted motor. It’s good for 150kW and 310Nm, pushing it to 100km/h in 8.0 seconds with a WLTP range sitting between 394km and 430km. Top speed is electronically pegged at 160km/h.
Step up to the Sportline 85 and you unlock the big 77kWh battery. This drives a punchier 210kW/545Nm motor. While the performance gap between the two might seem relatively small on paper, the real value here is peace of mind. Expect the 85’s range to be far more reliable on the open road, with the official numbers climbing significantly to between 542km and 581km. This is the pick for genuine touring ability.
Charging speeds are competitive for the segment. You get 11kW AC charging as standard (taking 6.5 to 8 hours for a full wall-box charge depending on the battery), while DC fast charging peaks at 165kW for the 60 and 175kW for the 85. Skoda reckons you’ll see a 10-80% top-up in 24 and 28 minutes respectively.
At 4488mm long, the Elroq is a genuinely compact unit, yet Skoda has managed to carve out 470 litres of boot space, expanding to 1580 litres with the seats flat. It also sits on a useful 186mm of ground clearance. The boot is one of the best designed in the market, with built in storage shelves and a parcel shelf that can actually carry loads, including in underslung storage nets. No frunk though!
The cabin leans heavily into sustainability (think the flashy-named Econyl and Recytitan recycled materials) but doesn’t skimp on tech. A 13-inch infotainment screen and a stripped-back 5.3-inch Virtual Cockpit are standard issue.
On the road, the Elroq capitalises on its rear-wheel-drive layout. It feels surprisingly planted through the corners despite the EV kerb weight. It’s hardly a dedicated sports car, but there is a level of engagement here often missing from the numbness of most compact electric crossovers. Build quality is typical Skoda: solid, quiet, and well-screwed together.
The driving position deserves a mention, too. It offers a huge range of adjustment. You can jack it up for that commanding SUV view or drop it right down for a sportier, hatch-like feel. It’s a dual-mode machine that plays practical SUV or sporty hatch depending on your mood.
Value-wise, it faces a scrap against the aggressively priced Chinese entrants. However, European loyalists and risk-averse fleet managers will likely gravitate towards it. In this segment, perceived quality and residual confidence often trump the spreadsheet.
Skoda Enyaq gets sharper
The Skoda Enyaq refresh brings the bigger SUV visually in line with the Elroq’s Modern Solid look, but the changes aren’t just cosmetic. The engineers have cleaned up the aero significantly, achieving a 0.246 drag coefficient, making this one of the slipperiest Skodas ever built.
Two variants are confirmed for our market: the rear-drive Enyaq Sportline and the flagship Enyaq RS AWD. The Sportline mirrors the Elroq’s powertrain (210kW/545Nm rear motor) but still manages to push range out to an impressive 547-582km. Performance is nearly identical to its smaller sibling.
The RS is the headline act. It pairs a 134kW front motor with the 545Nm rear unit for a combined system output of 250kW. The sprint to 100km/h dispatched in 5.4 seconds, fine but hardly stellar for the segment. Even with the extra grunt, range remains robust at 538-562km thanks to a marginally larger 79kWh (net) battery.
Charging is slightly quicker here too, with the RS capable of pulling 185kW on a DC charger for a 26-minute 10-80% split.
Being the bigger bus (around 4660mm long), the Enyaq only gains slightly in the storage stakes with a 585-litre boot that opens up to 1710 litres. The RS rides lower, sitting closer to the tarmac than the standard variants.
In the infotainment, you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cleaner menu structure for the infotainment, and the Canton sound system on the RS.
Behind the wheel, the RS remains one of the better-sorted midsize electric SUVs available. It strikes a fine balance. The AWD system is transparent, shuffling torque without drama.
The interior finish is arguably best-in-class short of a premium Zeekr. Materials feel upmarket and the assembly is tight. The only fly in the ointment is the lack of deep app connectivity. While the basics are there, buyers cross-shopping with tech-heavy rivals might notice the absence of advanced remote features. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it is a point of difference.
Design and Tech
The lighting setup varies across the range. The entry-level Elroq 60 gets full LED headlights, while the Sportline 85 steps up to LED Matrix headlights with dynamic functionality. The Enyaq Sportline and RS both come standard with the full LED Matrix setup, offering superior beam pattern control and adaptive lighting.
Inside, the dashboard architecture is dominated by that 13-inch screen. The driver gets a minimalist 5.3-inch display for speed and range, while the AR navigation projects floating arrows onto the windscreen in the driver’s eye line.
The infotainment system itself is a curious beast. It’s not a connected system in the modern sense, something Skoda NZ says will arrive with a future model update. What you’re getting is essentially a connected system adapted for offline use, and occasionally you’ll spot the odd legacy artifact that gives the game away. It’s functional and the interface is clean enough, but if you’re coming from a modern Chinese EV with its full suite of over-the-air updates and remote features, you’ll notice what’s missing. The company is upfront about it at least, and for buyers who aren’t fussed about app integration, it’s perfectly adequate.
A neat practical touch is the updated KESSY system. Walk up to within 1m of the car and it unlocks automatically. Walk further than 2.7m away and it locks itself. This defeats an old bugbear of keyless entry systems where you’d have to touch the driver’s door handle first, even if you wanted to open a rear door or the boot. Now you can just walk straight up to any door and pull the handle.
Safety and Assistance
As expected, the safety suite is comprehensive. Travel Assist bundles adaptive cruise with lane-keeping and uses a capacitive steering wheel to check you’re still paying attention.
Urban safety gets a boost with Turn Assist (monitoring oncoming traffic during low-speed turns) and Collision Avoidance Assist, which can actively steer around obstacles. A useful addition is the Door Opening Warning, which uses rear radar to ping you if a cyclist or car is approaching from behind as you reach for the handle.
Parking tech is also upgraded. Intelligent Park Assist handles the steering into spots, while “Trained Parking” can memorise specific manoeuvres (like a tight driveway entry) and repeat them automatically.
Market Positioning
Skoda New Zealand has confirmed pricing for the local lineup, positioning both models aggressively against the competition.
The Elroq will kick off at $69,000 for the entry-level 60, stepping up to $79,000 for the Sportline 85. The larger Enyaq retains its status as the brand’s flagship EV but in a significantly evolved form, with the new Sportline starting at $89,000 and the range-topping RS priced at $99,000.
It’s a smart play in a crowded market. Rather than chasing the absolute bottom dollar or the wildest tech gimmicks, Skoda is leaning into what it does best: sensible, well-packaged, and highly practical cars that just happen to be electric. They might not be the flashiest options on the grid, but for many Kiwis, they’ll be exactly the right fit.
Both models are available to order now, with first deliveries expected shortly.
Technical Specifications
Elroq 60
Price: $69,000
Motor: 150kW / 310Nm (Rear)
Battery: 59kWh (net)
0-100km/h: 8.0s
Range: 394-430km (WLTP)
Elroq Sportline 85
Price: $79,000
Motor: 210kW / 545Nm (Rear)
Battery: 77kWh (net)
0-100km/h: 6.6s
Range: 542-581km (WLTP)
Enyaq Sportline
Price: $89,000
Motor: 210kW / 545Nm (Rear)
Battery: 77kWh (net)
0-100km/h: 6.7s
Range: 547-582km (WLTP)
Enyaq RS
Price: $99,000
Motors: 250kW Combined / 545Nm Rear
Battery: 79kWh (net)
0-100km/h: 5.4s
Range: 538-562km (WLTP)
