SKODA ELROQ 85 SPORTLINE

This SUV has potential as a tow car, but only if your van is a lightweight

- David Motton

What's new?

The Elroq is the newer of Škoda's two electric SUVs. Despite being much smaller than the Enyaq, this is still a heavy, roomy car. Škoda offers the Elroq with a variety of power outputs and rear- and four-wheel drive. For our test, we're driving the 286hp rear-wheel-drive Sportline.

What are we looking for?

We want to find out how far the Elroq will tow on a full charge. We're wondering if the towing capacity is too restrictive.

Towing ability

Although it's a similar size to the conventionally powered Škoda Karoq, the electric Elroq is much heavier. With a kerbweight of more than 2.1 tonnes, it's as hefty as some luxury SUVs.

That bodes well for stability while towing, so it's a shame that the Elroq has a low towing capacity of just 1000kg.

We matched the Škoda to a Freedom Carpento 360, kindly loaned by Freedom Caravans in Staffordshire. This ultralight four-berth has a MiRO of 660kg and an MTPLM of 750kg.

You don't have to tow very far before you begin to wonder why the Škoda's towing capacity is so low. With 286hp and 402lb ft of torque, the Elroq pulls the Freedom up to speed with ease. You know that you are towing because you can see the caravan, but the Carpento barely dents the Škoda's acceleration.

Reaching 50mph or 60mph is quick, quiet and undramatic. Hill starts are very easy with so much pulling power from a standing start. We found no sign of wheelspin in the dry.

Stability at speed is excellent, too, with almost no movement at the motorway limit, even when around HGVs.