The Skoda Enyaq is one of a growing number of VW Group EV SUVs, but is it the best? We've driven it in the UK to find out just that.

PROS:

+ Quiet and comfy to drive

+ Spacious, practical cabin

+ Decent range

CONS:

- Rapid charging costs extra

- Bigger battery misses out on Gov. grant

- Reduced range for Sportline model

Verdict: A handful of electric cars have felt like a turning point and the Skoda Enyaq is one of them. It does what Skoda does best, providing genuine quality, space and practicality for a sensible price, but also has the range and infotainment to tempt you. It's just a shame rapid charging is an option and the 80 model misses the Government grant.

2021 Skoda Enyaq review: the five-minute read

While we wait for the UK's charging infrastructure to improve, brilliant electric cars are being launched at pace. Lately, we've seen EV SUVs like the Kia e-Niro, VW ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron, and now we've driven this: the Skoda Enyaq.

The Enyaq stands out because, although it has the same VW Group batteries and running gear as the VW and Audi, it's cheaper and more spacious. Hence, it'll give our favourite EV SUV, the Kia e-Niro a run for its money.

To our eyes, the Enyaq is no worse to look at than any of these competitors. In fact, in the right spec, the Enyaq is a very attractive car, with a prominent but not overbearing grille design, strong bonnet creases and sharp alloy wheel designs that fill the arches nicely. Oh, and you can order a grille that lights up like a Rolls-Royce. Yep.

Inside the Enyaq is pleasingly simple in terms of its design and is high quality, plus there are six different themed interiors to choose between that bring different fabrics and leathers on the seats and dash. These include eco-conscious choices like fabric made from recycled bottles and olive tree-stained leather seats. Mmm olives.

Every Enyaq gets a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system atop the dashboard with sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's a high-res screen that responds quickly to inputs and has attractive graphics, plus can be controlled using voice prompts. All cars also get a set of clear and configurable digital driver's dials.

The Enyaq is a five-seat SUV without the option of an extra couple of pews, but it seats four tall adults with ease. Three across the rear would be a squeeze on a long trip, but three kids will be dandy. At the back is a 585-litre boot that's bigger than the one on an e-Niro, ID.4 or Q4 e-tron.

You get the choice of a '60' model with a 62kWh battery and 256-mile range, or an '80' with an 82kWh battery and 333-mile range. The former makes 179hp, while the latter produces 204hp, both via a single motor on their rear axles. In reality, the 0-62mph sprint is separated by just 0.2 seconds – 8.5 seconds for the 80 versus 8.7 seconds for the 60.

It seems a little stingy that you have to pay extra to add rapid charging as an option, which is 100kW for the 60 and 125kW for the 80. However, with it added you can charge from 10-80% in 35 minutes on the 60 and 38 minutes on the 80. Of course, using a 7kW wall box at home is an overnight job.

Both versions feel very similar to drive. The difference in their performance is barely noticeable, both offering enough performance and more than enough comfort in town. On country roads the Enyaq's steering is precise and it grips hard but ultimately isn't going to set your hair on fire – but then it doesn't need to. More importantly, it's even comfier on the motorway and keeps road and wind noise outside too.

So, the Enyaq blends quality, space, practicality, range and cost extremely well. It's likely a Q4 e-tron will be plusher inside, but not by much.

Simply put, if you're looking for an SUV and your next car will be an EV, the Enyaq has to be on your list. Just bear in mind the 80 model is too pricey for the Government grant and Sportline trim's larger wheels means a slightly reduced range.

For great Skoda deals click here

Extended read…

2021 Skoda Enyaq interior and infotainment

Although Audi has maintained a clear lead in the interior quality race among VW Group brands, VW and Skoda have been getting closer and closer over the years. We're now at a point that it's extremely close and this Enyaq feels just as plush as an ID.4 in most areas.

Skoda is offering six different themes for the interior, called Loft, Lodge, Lounge, Suite, ecoSuite and Sportline. Although the basic architecture of the interior remains the same, these themes change the dash, door and seat material, as well as the interior dash trim depending on your choice.

Loft is the entry-level offering and is fabric-based, but Lodge uses recycled fabric instead, while ecoSuite uses leather that's been tanned using old olive trees (as in these pictures), so there are solid eco choices for those that want it.

All-told, the Enyaq isn't quite as plush as a Q4 e-tron is likely to be, but it feels just as nice inside as an ID.4 and better than a Kia e-Niro.

Every Enyaq gets a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system atop the dashboard with sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's a high-res screen that responds quickly to inputs and has attractive graphics, plus can be controlled using voice prompts. All cars also get a set of clear and configurable digital driver's dials.

Here the Enyaq is on a similar footing to its German stablemates but looks more impressive than the Kia e-Niro.

Wireless smartphone charging is available as an option or as standard on Sportline models. Initially, an eight-speaker stereo will be standard and the only choice, but a more advanced Canton system will be available later down the line. The standard system sounded great to us.

Buy a new or used Skoda

2021 Skoda Enyaq practicality and boot space

The Skoda Enyaq is a five-seat SUV and there's no option to make it a seven-seater. However, a couple of tall adults are able to stretch out in the front, with another couple easily comfortable behind them.

Getting three adults across the rear seats is more of a squeeze, but of course, three kids side-by-side will be no issue. The Enyaq gets Isofix points on its outer rear seats and front passenger seat as standard, and fitting a child seat to all of them is simple work.

Skoda is famous for its clever interior storage and the Enyaq benefits from deep door pockets, a decent glovebox and large cubby beneath the front armrest. There are also handy pockets on the front seatbacks including a smaller pocket for a smartphone.

The Enyaq's boot is 585 litres in size, which is bigger than an e-Niro's, ID.4's or Q4 e-tron's. Ultimately it'll handle a family week away no problem and folding down the rear seats (which split 40/20/40 as standard too) leaves a flat floor and a cavernous space for trips to the tip.

2021 Skoda Enyaq battery, motor and charging

For now, you get the choice of a '60' Enyaq with a 62kWh battery and 256-mile range, or an '80' with an 82kWh battery and 333-mile range. The former makes 179hp, while the latter produces 204hp, both via a single motor on their rear axles. In reality, the 0-62mph sprint is separated by just 0.2 seconds – 8.5 seconds for the 80 versus 8.7 seconds for the 60.

It seems a little stingy that you have to pay extra to add rapid charging as an option, which is 100kW for the 60 and 125kW for the 80. However, with it added you can charge from 10-80% in 35 minutes on the 60 and 38 minutes on the 80. Of course, using a 7kW wall box at home is an overnight job, taking 9.5 hours for the 60 and 13 hours for the 80.

It's also worth bearing in mind that going for the Sportline model, which is restricted to the larger battery, drops the range from 333 miles to 327 miles due to its larger wheels.

Later, an all-wheel-drive 80 model will join the range with more power, before an even punchier vRS model then becomes available.

Build your dream car

2021 Skoda Enyaq driving

Both versions of the Enyaq currently available feel very similar to drive. The difference in their performance is barely noticeable, both offering enough performance and more than enough comfort in town. On country roads the Enyaq's steering is precise and it grips hard but ultimately isn't going to set your hair on fire – but then it doesn't need to.

More importantly, it's even comfier on the motorway and keeps road and wind noise outside too. Basic cruise control with a speed limiter comes as standard, but adding a pack brings Skoda's adaptive cruise control with lane-keep function. It works very well and is worth the extra if you often cover long distances.

What isn't worth the extra is Skoda's adaptive damper pack, which allows you to stiffen or slacken off the suspension. It doesn't bring much more comfort nor agility, so you can save money there. It's not worth adding the drive mode selection to 60 models either (it's standard on the 80) as the Enyaq's default setting feels just right.

Interested in buying a Skoda?

Find used Skoda