Skoda Elroq 250kW vRS 84kWh 4x4 5dr Auto Maxx

Ten Second Review

The charms of Skoda's fastest EV compact hatch, the Elroq vRS, might not be immediately obvious but they could be longer-lasting than those of more extrovert rivals.

Background

Let's consider the vRS badge. If the letters mean anything to you, they'll spell 'sporty Skoda'. In truth, over the last two decades, some Skoda vRS models have been rather sportier than others but there's promise in this one, the brand's potent Elroq vRS EV. It's the fastest-accelerating car the Czech maker has ever provided. And for not much more than other VW Group brands will charge you to get a sporty compact EV hatch with one motor and 2WD, here you get two motors and AWD. In fact, this top Elroq has more in common with an Enyaq vRS from next class up than most of its segment contemporaries. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

A dual motor AWD powertrain isn't particularly unusual on a full-electric compact hot hatch of this type. We've already seen this format with top versions of the MG4, the smart #1 and the Volvo EX30. But it is unusual for a VW Group-engineered product like this Elroq vRS. Dual motor EV drivetrains from the Wolfsburg parts bin tend to be reserved for models in the next class up, like the Volkswagen ID.4, the CUPRA Tavascan and the Skoda Enyaq. And it's from the vRS version of the Enyaq that this top Elroq gets its all-wheel drive powertrain, which develops 340PS of output (54PS up on the ordinary rear-driven Elroq 85). You might not think the power output improvement over the standard model to be a huge gain, given that this vRS has the benefit of an extra small front motor (which adds an extra 134Nm of torque grunt to the standard 545Nm figure). You won't notice much difference over the ordinary car away from the traffic lights either, where the sprint to 62mph takes 5.4s, 1.2s quicker than an Elroq 85, on the way to the same modest top speed of 111mph. At least the EV range figure is also quite similar, rated at 340 miles (15 miles down on the standard car), helped perhaps by the fact that the vRS model's battery is slightly bigger (84kWh rather than the usual 82kWh). Of course, the vRS engineering CV is about more than just that extra front motor. The steering has been retuned, there are thicker anti-roll bars - and shorter springs mean a ride height drop of 15mm at the front and 10mm at the back. The tyres are different at both ends too, with 255-section rears paired with 235-section fronts. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the latest and very impressive VW Group DCC adaptive damping system is standard-fit, with its 15 different settings. Depending on the end of the scale you choose, this vRS can either be supple and comfortable or firm and agile. It's one of the things that might really sell you this car.

Design and Build

There isn't a huge amount of visual differentiation with this vRS model over a standard Elroq, but the changes are there if you look for them. Revised front and rear bumpers, a lower ride height, bespoke 20-inch wheels and the option of a hi-viz 'Hyper Green' colour. The only vRS badges are next to the door mirrors. It's not that much different from an ordinary model inside either, though Skoda hopes you'll notice the bright lime green stitching and piping that covers the upholstery, door cards and 'micro suede'-coated dashboard. That alcantara-like material is also used for the superbly supportive sport seats too, which have heating and a massage function. And the usual ugly two-spoke Elroq steering wheel is swapped for a more appealing three-spoke tiller. As usual with a VW Group EV, the little digital instrument cluster isn't large enough to show nav mapping - but you don't need it here because an augmented reality head-up display is standard. The usual Skoda 13-inch central touchscreen features and there are lots of physical buttons (Chinese makers take note) for better and safer ergonomics. On the back seat, there's more space for adults than just about any other car in this class. We certainly can't see why you'd pay the extra for an Enyaq vRS. Unless you needed that larger car's extra boot space. But even in an Elroq vRS, you get a decent 470-litres of that - with the option of lots of the brand's 'Simply clever' features, like a net below the parcel shelf for the EV cables. As usual with Skodas, there's also an umbrella secreted in the front door lining.

Market and Model

Unlike other Elroq variants, this top vRS model doesn't benefit from a £1,500 government grant, so there's no help with what looks like quite an ambitious asking price of nearly £47,000. That's nearly £7,000 more than a sporty-looking rear-driven Elroq 85 'Sportline', which isn't much slower. Still, at vRS level, there's lots of kit available. Including a head-up display, a 13-speaker CANTON sound system, a bespoke microsuede-trimmed interior, a special 3-spoke sports steering wheel and heated front sports seats with power adjustment and a massage function. There's also an Area view camera, Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive damping, rear side window blinds, luggage area netting and a variable-height boot floor with a double-sided boot mat. Plus 'Tech-Deck' illuminated front end lighting. There's also 20-inch 'Draconis' black alloy wheels, with larger 21-inch rims optionally available, if you value looks over diminished driving range. Further options include tri-zone climate control and a heated windscreen. As on all Elroqs, there's plenty of camera safety equipment; including Front Assist automatic braking that also detects pedestrians and cyclists. There's also Lane assist and Emergency steering support with turn assist. Plus traffic sign recognition and Blind spot detection; Skoda's 'Crew protect assist' that 'braces' the car to withstand an impact; and all the usual airbags, linked to an eCall system.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the EV range figure in our driving section - 340 miles. That's based on 3.8mpkWh efficiency. The Elroq vRS has the fastest DC charging speed Skoda can offer in this class of car - 185kW. This means a 10 to 80% DC charge can be completed in 26 minutes. Using 7.2kW home AC wallbox, you'll need around 12 hours for a full charge. The battery's optimised pre-heating function increases efficiency at DC fast-charging stations. It is either activated automatically when using the navigation system's route guidance or can be started manually in the infotainment system's charging menu. The current temperature of the battery and the current state of charge are constantly monitored by the battery thermal management system, which activates the temperature control if necessary. There's a fixed servicing schedule, with a basic inspection after two years (unlimited mileage) and subsequent services every year or 18,750 miles. Skoda says that its aim is to make sure that the battery pack lasts as long as the car too and, sure enough, that battery pack is warrantied to have at least 70% of its usable capacity after eight years or 100,000 miles. There's the usual unremarkable three year / 60,000 mile Skoda warranty (only the third year has a mileage limitation). And there's 12 year body protection guarantee, a three year paint warranty and three years of Skoda assistance, which includes European breakdown cover. Insurance is group 37E.

Summary

If you were hoping that this Elroq vRS would be a truly involving EV hot hatch, like an Alpine A290 (at one end of the scale) or a Hyundai IONIQ 5N (at the other), you might be disappointed. Skoda doesn't make cars like that and this one wouldn't really know what to do with a racetrack. It knows what to do with a set of twisting, challenging secondary roads though; point-to-point, there are few faster family five-doors you could choose. And we certainly can't really see why you'd pay more for a Skoda Enyaq vRS. Despite its engineering CV though, this car is more expensive than you might expect - and more expensive than it should be. Given which, you might be hoping for a bit more visual pizzazz inside and out; or at the very least, a standard heat pump. Still, if the sums add up, you might well find the car will too. It might even surprise you. As Skodas often do.