Skoda Eny aq

WE'VE been huge fans of the Skoda Enyaq since it was launched in 2020; the brand's first bespoke electric car has proven itself to be one of the best SUVs on the market.

- Ellis Hyde

Buyers clearly agree, with more than 270,000 examples having been sold worldwide to date.

The Enyaq has, so far, managed to stay one step ahead of the newer electric SUVs that have arrived to try and challenge it. But now there's a rather big elephant in the room: the new Skoda Elroq, which faces the stylish Renault Megane in this week's road test (page 36).

The Elroq is, in essence, a smaller version of the Enyaq. It's nearly as practical, but costs significantly less to buy, with prices running from an incredibly attractive £31,500. Meanwhile, the new Enyaq's prices start at a whisker less than £40,000.

However, Skoda is confident that the two will complement each other, rather than compete. For starters, the more affordable Elroq is aimed towards retail customers, while the focus for the Enyaq is on company car drivers and those coming from premium brands, who naturally look towards the higher end of the line-up.

What's more, part of the reason for the Enyaq's price rise is that the base model now has a slightly larger battery and a lot more standard equipment than before. More than the entry-level Elroq, too.

Every Enyaq already came equipped with a huge 13-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a digital driver's display and Simply Clever touches such as an ice scraper in the tailgate, and an umbrella in the driver’s door.

But buyers are now also treated to a heated steering wheel, heated front seats and a cooled wireless charging pad. Plus there’s an electric tailgate with kick activation, keyless entry and tri-zone climate control, as well as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot detection as standard.