Skoda Elroq 2026 review: 60 Select long-term | Part 3 | Kia EV3 rival tested

Three months with the MY26 Skoda Elroq Select 60 have come and gone in the blink of an eye.

The segment-straddling, fully-electric SUV has been a pleasure to ‘own’ because of its city-friendly size that would surely make Goldilocks blush.

Read More About Skoda Elroq

• Skoda Elroq 2026 review: 60 Select long-term | Part 1
• Skoda Elroq 2026 review: 60 Select long-term | Part 2 | MG S5 EV rival tested
• Striking hybrid wagon lands: 2026 Skoda Superb plug-in hybrid priced in Australia as more affordable alternative to the Audi A5 and a more spacious answer to the Toyota Camry

That is what we are going to find out in this third instalment of our long-term review of the entry-level Select 60.

In part one we detailed its relatively keen pricing and surprisingly high specification, while the second explored its Euro design and aforementioned practicality. To find out more click the links directly below.

Now, it is time to go for a drive before I deliver my overall verdict on the Elroq. Let’s go!

An EV you’ll actually want to drive

Simply put, the Elroq is a joy to drive.

A lot of EVs these days are not particularly engaging behind the wheel, but this Czech model flips the script with its well-balanced ride and handling.

The Elroq Select 60 may lack adaptive dampers, but its MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear suspension delivers a level of suppleness over potholes and speed bumps – without being too soft like a lot of its new Chinese competitors. Some would say it is firm, but it is definitely not jarring.

At the same time the Elroq maintains good body control when pushed hard through your favourite set of corners, enough that you will want to drive around them again.

Handling in general is strong, offering plenty of confidence, with grip plentiful despite the rear-wheel drive set-up, which is a rarity in the small-car segment.

RWD is much more fun than front-wheel drive, as you’re pushed out of corners rather than pulled, plus there is, generally, the benefit of a tighter turning circle, which is perfect for the city.

The electric power steering is nice and direct, albeit on the lighter side when it comes to weighting, but I don't mind it around town, where it makes low-speed manoeuvres, like parking, much easier to execute.

The steering wheel is a little too thin for my liking, but I got used to it quickly enough.

The MY26 Select 60 on test here only produces 150kW and 310Nm from its single electric motor, which is a significant 60kW/235Nm short of other Elroq variants.

As a result, the Select 60’s 0-100km/h sprint time of eight seconds flat is 1.4 seconds slower than the other Elroq variants, which you will certainly notice when merging onto or overtaking on the highway.

But the reality is most of your acceleration in the Select 60 will be to 40-60km/h and in those instances it will feel very spritely, as most EVs do.

Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels are predictably good, given the Elroq is an EV that operates almost silently.

Some road and tyre noise can be heard at higher speeds, but it thankfully never drones.

You have to use both of the pedals

Where the MY26 Elroq disappoints, though, is with its regenerative braking.

Two levels are on offer, with the default the equivalent to engine braking in an internal-combustion model, while the B mode for the single-speed automatic transmission offers stronger energy recuperation.

That said, the B mode is still not the equivalent of one-pedal driving, which is an EV signature I have sorely missed over the past three months.

Thankfully, Skoda Australia has confirmed the Elroq’s MY27 update introduces a one-pedal option, meaning new owners will be able to drive by just modulating the accelerator pedal.

The performance of the friction brakes is strong, should you need to properly use the left pedal.

However, the blending between the regenerative and friction braking could be better.

Also, the friction brakes start to bite when the right pedal is partly depressed, which takes some getting used to.

Active safety that won’t annoy you – almost

In what seems to be a shock these days, the Elroq’s advanced driver-assist systems are rather pleasant in the real world.

The lane-keep and steering assist functions are relatively well measured, while the adaptive cruise control is nicely calibrated – although it is not particularly energy efficient if you are trying to maximise your driving range (more on that in a moment).

There are also no incessant over-speed or driver-attention warnings to combat – hooray!

That said, it is a shame surround-view cameras are unavailable in the MY26 Select 60, even as an option.

And the reversing camera you do get is shockingly low-resolution, which should not be a thing in 2026.

The front parking sensors are also intermittently a little too sensitive in traffic, but it is by no means a deal-breaker.

Enough driving range for most people

In my third and final month behind the wheel of the MY26 Elroq Select 60 my average energy consumption was 15.8kWh/100km over 1068km, a slightly higher proportion of which was in the city.

This more efficient environment meant that result was 0.1kWh/100km and 0.3kWh/100km better than I managed in months one and three.

My three-month average was 15.9kWh/100km over 2797km, which equates to a real-world driving range of 371km, based on the MY26 Select 60’s useable battery capacity of 59kWh.

That is just 24km short of the MY26 claim and still good enough for a regular urban commuter, but I would personally be paying the premium for the long-range MY26 Elroq, which promises up to 529km between charges.

Acquired: May 6, 2026

Distance travelled this month: 1068km

Odometer: 3755km

Average energy consumption this month: 15.8kWh/100km