Škoda Elroq RS

The first-ever Škoda Elroq EV crossover has gained the vRS variant, making it the second electric car to bear the vRS emblem since the Enyaq. To recall, the Škoda Elroq crossover represents a new chapter for Škoda. The key question is: Do you want to purchase this compact EV crossover that competes with the Hyundai IONIQ 5? Despite being less spacious than its Asian rival, the Elroq is affordable, and it's worth the shot, sort of. Has the vRS variant improved the Elroq's experience? 

2026 Skoda Elroq RS

2026 Skoda Elroq RS

Starting at 1,269,000CZK plus additional costs, the first-ever Skoda Elroq RS elevates the Elroq to a sportier setting, giving customers something to get excited about, the crossover that aims squarely at the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

2026 Skoda Elroq RS interior

Although it looks and feels just like the normal Elroq, not to mention the boot space that is smaller than the IONIQ 5, the Elroq RS adds zest to the normal Elroq with its sporty aero design, lime green stitching, and sports seats.

The Skoda Elroq is still as aerodynamic as the normal Elroq, but the vRS is also armed with two electric motors and a 79kWh battery, giving it all-wheel-drive capability. The power output was bumped to 340PS of power and 679Nm of torque, giving it a 0-100kph time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of a normal Japanese car. The driving range is around 546km based on WLTP standards.

Thanks to its lowered chassis, the Elroq vRS feels sporty to drive, and with its 4WD system, it feels okay even when you're feeling under the weather. It still packs XDS+, regenerative braking, and progressive control as the normal Elroq.

In terms of safety, the Elroq vRS boasts an extensive suite of driving technologies. These include Driving Assist 2.6, Predictive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Lane Guidance, and Traffic Jam Assist. Additional safety features are the Emergency Assistant, automatic parking, saved parking maneuvers, remote parking, parking sensors with automatic braking, and a parking camera. 

The vehicle also comes with a Panoramic Camera System, Front Assist, anti-collision assistant, Turn Assistant, blind spot monitoring, exit warning, proactive passenger protection, multi-collision brake, and driver fatigue detection.

Has the vRS variant improved the Elroq's experience? Sort of, as expected. Although drastically less than the Hyundai IONIQ 5N and as fast a a normal Japanese car, the Elroq vRS's dynamics really mean business almost everywhere. This is the Elroq that deserves to be driven.

Available Colors: Modra Energy, Seda Steel, Zelena Timiano, Cerna Magic metaliza, Modra Race metaliza, Stribrna Brilliant metaliza, Seda Graphite metaliza, Cervena Velvet metaliza, Bila Moon metaliza, and Zelena Mamba.

Photo: Skoda Auto

Škoda Elroq

The Škoda Elroq crossover marks a new chapter for Škoda. The main question is: do you want to buy this compact EV crossover that competes with the Hyundai IONIQ 5?

2025 Skoda Elroq

Priced at 799,000Kč plus additional costs, the first-ever Škoda Elroq is a new beginning for the Czech carmaker as hinted by the new design that drew first blood while offering typical promises in its class for a compact EV crossover that is cheaper to own than the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

2025 Skoda Elroq

The Elroq introduces Skoda's new design direction, as showcased in the Vision 75 Concept from 2022. Notably, it is the first model to replace the Škoda logo on the front and the steering wheel with the lettering "ŠKODA." This change reflects a broader trend in automotive design. The Elroq is sized to appeal to the lower-middle-class market, which has become increasingly common in recent years.

2025 Skoda Elroq interior

Typical Volkswagen Group interior the Elroq dons, it packs typical high-tech features some will find it daunting to master such as the augmented heads-up display, virtual cockpit, large infotainment display, and some buttons for the hazard lights and climate control. In terms of space, it's surprisingly shorter and less spacious compared to the IONIQ 5, especially the 470L boot space with the rear seats present. However, with the passenger seats folded down, it has up to 1580 liters of boot space, the same as the IONIQ 5's. On the bright side, the Elroq packs conveniences such as the automatic unlocking function, a hands-free power liftgate, an electrically unlockable towbar, a scrapper, and an umbrella.

2025 Skoda Elroq

Although the sporty design gives the Elroq a drag coefficient of just 0.26, the most aerodynamic in its class, the rear-wheel-drive electric powertrain is offered with the choice of a 55kWh, 63kWh, and 82kWh battery pack. The latter produces 210kW of electric power and 545Nm of torque, sprinting from a 0-100kph time of 6.6 seconds, and goes as fast as an everyday Japanese car. Energy consumption is around 15kWh/100km.

Driving a rear-wheel-drive crossover like the Elroq requires a certain level of confidence, and it is equipped with a variety of features that enhance the driving experience. Highlights include XDS+, regenerative braking, and progressive control. 

In terms of safety, the Elroq boasts an extensive suite of driving technologies. These include Driving Assist 2.6, Predictive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Lane Guidance, and Traffic Jam Assist. Additional safety features are the Emergency Assistant, automatic parking, saved parking maneuvers, remote parking, parking sensors with automatic braking, and a parking camera. 

The vehicle also comes with a Panoramic Camera System, Front Assist, anti-collision assistant, Turn Assistant, blind spot monitoring, exit warning, proactive passenger protection, multi-collision brake, and driver fatigue detection.

The Škoda Elroq crossover represents a new chapter for Škoda. The key question is: do you want to purchase this compact EV crossover that competes with the Hyundai IONIQ 5? Despite being less spacious than its Asian rival, the Elroq is affordable and it's worth the shot, sort of. Welcome to the new normal of Škoda.

Available Colors: Zelená Timiano, Bílá Moon, Černá Magic, Červená Velvet, Modrá Race, Šedá Graphite, Šedá Steel, Stříbrná Brilliant, and Modrá Energy.

Photo: Škoda Auto