SKODA ON A CHARGE(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 86

The Enyaq was Skoda's very first EV and in this updated form, continues to use its Volkswagen Group EV technology to good effect, while still managing to incorporate a very Skoda look and feel. This facelift brings a sharper look, which continues to clothe one of the most spacious cabins in the segment. And in terms of range, charging stats and equipment, both SUV and Coupe versions of this car will look attractive in the showroom for those who get the right price or lease deal.

Background word count: 180

Back in 2021, Skoda finally brought us its very first full-electric car, the Enyaq, then known as the 'Enyaq iV'. First launched as a boxy SUV hatch, followed two years later by a Coupe version, this was the Czech brand's take on the VW Group EV engineering also used for mid-sized models like Volkswagen's ID.4, the Audi Q4 e-tron and the CUPRA Tavascan. By early 2025 though, competition had ramped up substantially, hence the need for the mid-term Enyaq update we look at here. Prior to this facelift, Skoda had been gradually moving the Enyaq up-market to make space below it for another, slightly smaller EV, the Elroq. That's also spacious and practical, so this Enyaq's got its work cut out in convincing customers to pay more. To try and help it do that, the Czech designers have given the car a much sleeker front end look. And if you haven't tried an Enyaq since launch, you should appreciate the improvements that have been made in terms of driving range, charging speed and media tech. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience word count: 365

There are no big drivetrain changes as part of this facelift. As before, most Enyaqs are of the rear-motor, rear-driven sort, a format not seen on a Skoda since the brand's budget models of the '60s and '70s and one that benefits this car enormously in town, where it offers an impressively tight 10.2-metre turning circle. Beyond the city limits, traction is impressive but there's a little more body roll through the turns than you'd get with the alternative Volkswagen, CUPRA and Audi versions of this VW Group design. The pay-off for that though, is a much better standard of ride, with suppleness over poor surfaces and speed humps that's un-bettered in this class and is far superior to most rivals. When fitted with an optional folding towbar, any Enyaq is also capable of towing trailers weighing up to 1,400kg. You ease away in an Enyaq, rather than needing to moderate the kind of frantic forward thrust that seems more normal of an electric vehicle these days. That doesn't really suit any 2.0-tonne SUV and it certainly wouldn't suit this Skoda, the relaxed drive dynamics of which, it's immediately clear, are geared towards lowering the heartbeat rather than raising it. What about powertrains? Well the base rear driven model, the Enyaq 60, has a 204PS electric motor powered by a 59kWh battery (net) with a range of 268 miles. Above that sits the Enyaq 85, which has a 286PS motor powered by an 82kWh battery (net) that should produce a total WLTP-rated range of 359 miles for the SUV or 365 miles for the Coupe. There's 545Nm of torque, top speed is 112mph and 62mph from rest takes 6.7 seconds. You can also opt for the Enyaq 85x, also uses the same 82kWh battery and motor output, but adds an extra axle motor to create four wheel drive, which means extra weight, hence the reduction in range to 332 miles (or 334 miles for the Coupe). At the top of the range is the Enyaq vRS performance model, which shares its 82kWh battery and 4WD system with the 85x, but ups output to 340PS, sprints to 62mph in 5.5s and has a 336 mile range.