Skoda Enyaq Reviews

The Skoda Enyaq finally arrived in Australia in 2024 following many delays and bleak initial fanfare.After only a year on sale locally, the mid-life facelift arrived and it has dramatically improved the mid-size pure-electric SUV's appeal. Not only from a stylistic perspective, but from a choice, value and efficiency standpoint.On test here is the Enyaq 85 Sportline SUV which is now the mid-spec trim in the line-up, notably with the traditional SUV body style over the polarising ‘coupe’ SUV one.It’s priced from $63,990, drive-away, which is surprisingly competitive in its cut-throat category. Key rivals include the popular Tesla Model Y RWD ($58,900, before on-road costs), BYD Sealion 7 Premium ($54,990, BOC), XPeng G6 Long Range ($59,800, BOC) and the Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD ($63,900, BOC).If this is too much, Skoda now offers the entry-level 60 Select SUV, priced from a mind-blowing $54,990, drive-away.Although the 60 Select SUV offers a fantastic entry price, the 85 Sportline SUV firms as the sweet spot as there’s plenty of standard equipment.Highlights include matrix LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 13.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, eight-speaker sound system, tri-zone climate control, synthetic leather and suede upholstery, heated front seats with a massage function and heated outboard rear seats.The only features that aren’t standard include a surround-view camera, semi-autonomous park assist, premium sound system, panoramic glass sunroof and an illuminated grille. These are all available as optional, or standard on the Enyaq 85 Sportline Coupe.Key Skoda highlights are ‘Simply Clever’ touches throughout the car, including an umbrella in the driver’s door, roll-up rear side window shades, charging cable bags, plus the plethora of boot-related goodies, among countless others.These kind of features make a car much more liveable, personable and practical. Speaking of the latter, the Enyaq SUV has a cavernous amount of interior storage, especially in the second row and boot.Although it’s an SUV, this car is incredibly close to being a lifted wagon. Even more so with the slightly lower ride height in this Sportline trim.One of the few practicality downsides is the front cupholders are too small. It’s strange because the centre console is designed with storage in mind. Rather than placing them horizontally, it would be smarter to package them vertically alongside the gear selector so there’s more room for larger drinks.In terms of driving, I appreciate how the Enyaq feels like a normal car that just happens to be electric. There’s no learning curve. You’re able to just get in and drive.In saying this, though, it took me a bit to realise there is no traditional ‘Park’ button or switch. You just flick on the electric handbrake and that also engages Park.The Enyaq’s handling is engaging with direct steering, especially out on the open road. The ride is also surprisingly compliant despite the sport suspension and hefty 20-inch alloy wheels, though tyre roar on coarse-chip roads proliferates through the cabin as in many European cars.With its single, rear-mounted electric motor producing a healthy 210kW and 545Nm, the Enyaq 85 Sportline is no slouch. Unless you’re wanting the security of all-wheel grip, it’s makes you question why you’d even want the flagship RS trim.Another benefit of sticking with the 85 Sportline over the RS is you get better efficiency. Skoda claims it has a WLTP combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) energy consumption of 15.9kWh/100km.During my testing which included urban driving, as well as a 700km country round trip, I saw as low as 13kWh/100km in the city and up to 20kWh/100km in the pouring rain and a strong headwind on the freeway. My as-tested average worked out as 16.6kWh/100km after 970km of driving.Although this is slightly higher than the claim, the urban consumption in particular is Tesla-rivaling and much better than the pre-update Enyaq.Skoda claims the Enyaq 85 Sportline SUV, with its 82kWh lithium-ion battery, can travel up to 547km, according to WLTP testing. Using my as-tested consumption a theoretical range of 464km is possible as the battery pack has a net value of 77kWh.This seems to be more realistic as during my road trip the range readout proved to be a little fickle, especially once the battery charge hit the lower end of the scale.During one 100km highway section of my road trip where I started with 40 per cent charge and 196km of claimed range, I reached my destination with 14 per cent and only 59km of claimed range. Talk about range anxiety…In terms of charging, AC charging is up to 11kW and DC charging is up to 135kW. These aren’t revolutionary figures, but with the latter, a 10 to 80 per cent charge is claimed to only take 28 minutes.The Enyaq received a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2021. Standard safety kit includes nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors as well as a reversing camera.As noted above, a surround-view camera and semi-autonomous park assist is optional on the 85 Sportline SUV, but standard on the Coupe. This isn’t ideal but not a deal-breaker.Like all Skodas, the Enyaq is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The high-voltage battery is also covered for eight years or 160,000km.Logbook servicing is required every two years or 30,000km, whichever comes first, which is fairly standard for EVs. A six-year pre-paid service package costs $1450, whereas a 10-year pre-paid service package costs $1990. This is great value.

Never in my more than 20 years of writing about cars has a new car confused me so much as the Skoda Enyaq Select 60.It didn’t help that Skoda Australia launched it right alongside the Elroq Select 60, because the two cars share the same platform and much of the same design. The key difference being the Enyaq is slightly longer but, they share an identical wheelbase.Its similar looks and price with the Elroq do mean you have to pay attention to the details. And if you do, and look closely at those details, you become less confused about the Enyaq Select 60 and start to become impressed.That’s because this new addition to the Czech brand’s line-up is very much targeted at the more affordable end of the electric, mid-size SUV market. We’ll get to the specifications in a moment, but the most important figure is the price - $50,990 plus on-road costs. Considering the closely-related Volkswagen ID.4 is priced from $59,990, the Toyota bZ4X starts at $55,990, Subaru’s Solterra starts at $63,990 and even the new Hyundai Elexio is priced from $58,990, Skoda has positioned the new Select 60 variant very, very competitively in the increasingly crowded electric SUV space.However, more importantly, the popular Chinese mid-size EVs, such as the BYD Sealion 7 (from $54,990), Zeekr 7X (from $57,900) and Deepal S07 (from $53,900) are all more expensive too, meaning Skoda has positioned itself as a genuine rival to some of the most popular EVs in the country.And that’s before you factor in the current drive-away price of just $54,990 that Skoda Australia is introducing this new Enyaq with. That should put it on the radar for anyone looking at any sort of mid-size EV at the moment, regardless of brand or where it’s built.Obviously, to achieve this price Skoda has had to make some cuts, but that doesn’t mean the Select 60 is a stripped-out shell. On the contrary it comes with all the important stuff and a bit extra.This includes a 13-inch infotainment screen, a 5.0-inch digital instrument display, tri-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, LED lighting and 19-inch alloy wheels. What’s missing is leather-trimmed seats and other plush elements, but the cloth-trimmed seats look nice and overall the cabin treatment is simple but sophisticated.It also has Skoda’s trademark ‘simply clever’ features, like an umbrella housed in the driver’s door and a small pop-down handle to help close the boot.There’s also plenty of safety equipment, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, turn assist, a rear-view camera and Volkswagen Group’s mild autonomous ‘Traffic Assist’ functionality.In terms of technical specifications, the Select 60 isn’t the same as the more expensive Sportline 85 model. This cheaper variant’s rear-mounted electric motor makes 150kW and has a 410km range from its 63kWh battery.The more expensive Enyaq offers up 210kW and 547km of range thanks to an 82kWh battery, so this is clearly an area where Skoda has been able to save money and pass that onto customers.Unless you jump into the Enyaq Select 60 straight after driving the more potent variant, chances are you’ll be more than happy with the performance its powertrain offers. It’s certainly not a ludicrously fast EV, but it isn’t trying to be and offers up smooth, effortless performance that will make it an ideal SUV for urban duties.However, the somewhat unusual rear-engine layout (which is becoming more common in two-wheel-drive EVs) combined with the experience and knowledge from Skoda and the wider VW Group means the Enyaq is a pleasure to drive on the open road.On winding and flowing country roads, the Enyaq feels stable, responsive and composed, which is not something all of its rivals can claim, particularly those from newer brands to Australia. Even the traditionally firm European ride feels more forgiving and less harsh than many rival models, with Skoda/VW clearly doing a good job of controlling the weight despite the heavy batteries; a challenge for even some of the so-called ‘legacy’ carmakers.Given its design, presentation, performance and, most importantly its price, perhaps the most confusing aspect of the Enyaq Select 60 is why Skoda remains overlooked by so many EV buyers.Yes, there are bigger names in the market (even though Skoda is closing in on its 20th anniversary in Australia) but the brand has clearly been usurped by many newer brands when it comes to EV buyers looking to make their next purchase.

The Skoda Enyaq Coupe 85 Sportline for 2026 continues from the original, pre-facelift version released in Australia in September, 2024, introducing a new look as well as a second body style that should appeal to family-orientated consumers – a more-practical SUV wagon shape.Like the base 60 Select, both versions are only available with a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear wheels.Starting from $59,990 before on-road costs, the new 85 Sportline SUV wagon is competing head-on with the likes of the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y.It also lines up against closely-related cousins within the Volkswagen Group riding on the same 'MEB' platform – the VW ID.4, Cupra Tavascan and Audi Q4 e-tron. Going for the Enyaq Coupe 85 Sportline from $65,990 means you’ll need to fork out another $6000.Unlike the base 60 Select, the 85 Sportline scores a larger battery at 82kWh for more WLTP range and stronger performance from its electric motor.The 85 Sportline shares the entry-level Enyaq’s advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) technologies like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control are included.There are also seven airbags, a reversing camera, a 13-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless charger, digital radio, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, charging cables, a seven-year warranty and an umbrella.Then the 85 Select brings matrix LED headlights, leather with synthetic-suede trim, powered, heated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, regenerative-braking paddles on the steering wheel, 20-inch wheels and more.For goodies like a surround camera view, a head-up display, premium audio, adaptive dampers and 21-inch alloys, you’ll need the Ultimate pack as a $5000 option.Note that the Enyaq Coupe 85 Sportline adds a glass roof, but the SUV wagon buyer must fork out another $2000 for a panoramic sunroof with sunshade.Neither versions come with a spare wheel, sadly, just a tyre-repair kit.The 85 Sportline’s electric motor delivers a healthy 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque, propelling it from zero to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds on the way to a 180km/h top speed. Underneath is MacPherson-strut suspension up front and a multi-link rear end.The combined energy consumption figure is 15.9kWh/100km on average for the 85 Sportline SUV wagon and 15.5kWh for the Coupe version, due to the latter’s superior aerodynamics. Their WLTP ranges differ as a result, coming in at 547km and 561km, respectively.Charging to 100 per cent full using a normal power socket could take 40 hours, or about 12 hours with an optional 7.0kW Wallbox, while a 20-80 per cent top-up on a 50kW DC fast charger needs about 80 minutes, or half that with a 100kW charger.

The Skoda Enyaq 60 Select is the least expensive of the Czechian brand’s mid-sized family SUV EV range, which was facelifted just one year after the series' debut in Australia.For now, it is available only with a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear axle, and ushers in a new-to-Australia body style in the guise of an SUV wagon shape.Kicking off from $50,990, before on-road costs, the 60 Select is aimed at luring buyers away from popular alternatives like the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y.The significance of the Enyaq is that it is the first SUV of this size in Australia to use the Volkswagen Group’s advanced 'MEB' dedicated EV architecture at this lower price point, making the entry-level grade usefully less-expensive than the closely-related VW ID.4 Pro from $59,990, Cupra Tavascan Endurance from $60,990 and Audi Q4 45 e-tron from $84,900.To help keep the price down, the 60 Select uses a smaller, 63kWh lithium-ion traction battery, rather than the others’ 82kWh item, as well as a lower-powered electric motor, but the resulting 410km of range and 150kW performance is more than adequate for most people’s needs.Plus, the base Enyaq is fairly-well equipped, with full advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) technologies, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-support help and rear cross-traffic alert.There are also seven airbags, front/rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry/start, adaptive cruise control, a 13-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless charger, digital radio, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, charging cables, 19-inch alloy wheels, a seven-year warranty and even an umbrella in one of the doors. But no spare wheel, sadly, just a tyre-repair kit.The electric motor by the 60 Select’s rear axle makes 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque, propelling the Czech-built EV from zero to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in 8.1 seconds, on the way to a 160km/h top speed. Keeping all that in check, so to speak, are MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension set-up.With its 63kWh battery, what’s the 60 Select like for efficiency? The combined energy consumption figure for the grade in Europe is 15.1kWh/100km on average, for a WLTP rated range figure of 410km.As a comparison, the $9000 more-expensive 85 Sportline with 210kW/545Nm and a larger, 82kWh battery bumps that up to 547km, and can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.7sec.Charging to 100 per cent full from empty at home using just a regular socket might require about 30 hours, or under 10 hours with an optional 7.0kW Wallbox. A 20-80 per cent top-up on a 50kW DC fast charger needs about an hour, or half that time with a 100kW charger.One of the benefits of the smaller-battery 60 Select is that those charging times can be cut roughly by about 20 per cent compared to the 85 Sportline.

Skoda's first EV might be five years old in Europe, but this year's facelift means the Enyaq is now a fierce alternative to the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 and even Tesla Model Y. Related to the VW ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron, the electric Skoda's affordable pricing and smart specification hark back to earlier brand values, making the Enyaq one of the most compelling and enjoyable family EV SUVs, period.

Skoda's entry into the highly populated electric medium SUV segment isn't exactly normal, or particularly pragmatic on the surface. The Enyaq RS Coupe turns heads, especially in the lewd 'Mamba Green' paint hue, yet manages to hit most of the requirements of a family EV. An impressive piece of kit, though one that's destined to remain niche in Australia.

The Skoda Enyaq electric SUV has arrived in Australia and. We've driven it and, yes, the Telsa Model Y has every reason to be afraid.