Skoda goes electric

24 November 2024 | Paul Gover

Start the conversation

The Skoda Enyaq has a claimed range of 561 kilometres. Photo: Supplied.

There are lots and lots and lots of new electric cars landing in Australia, but most are bland boxes sitting on top of a massive battery.

Then there is the Skoda Enyaq, which has arrived as a smooth four-door coupe.

Like the Polestar3, it stands out in a crowd – for the right reasons – and also has impressive electric credentials.

It’s priced from $69,990, right in the sweet spot for EV newbies, with a claimed range of 561 kilometres.

It’s possible to spend more and get more, up to $83,990 for the RS model with all the luxuries, twin electric motors, and extra punch.

But it’s the Sportline starter car which should be getting all the attention, as it lines up against the top selling Tesla Model Y and the Kia EV6, among many others.

The Sportline has a nickel-cobalt manganese battery and a single electric motor, in the back of the car for more cabin space.

The five-seater SUV drives well. Photo: Supplied.

There is an impressive combination of standard equipment – a 13-inch infotainment system with wireless connectivity, matrix LED headlights, an electric back door and even a pair of charging cables – often left out of rival contenders – for home and on-the-go charging.

There is a $6000 package of optional equipment that includes a heads-up display, surround-view parking camera, adaptive damping and even a fun lighting system in the grille.

But it’s the basics that do the job for the Enyaq – a name which means ’source of life’ – from the clever design to the seven-year warranty for the car, and eight years for the battery with a repair system for replacing individual modules instead of the full pack.

The Enyaq is a mid-sized, five-seater SUV which drops it into the heartland of EV territory against a huge number of rivals.

So Skoda, the ‘other’ member of the Volkswagen Group in Australia, has had to work hard on the pricing, packaging and support.

It’s obvious from the early minutes that it’s a good car and a classy drive.

Photo: Supplied.

The RS can be a bit brash, thanks to the signature fluorescent green and a ’sporty’ suspension tune, but the Sportline makes a lot of sense.

The cabin is nicely equipped and nicely finished, the seats are comfy with upscale trim, and the infotainment package includes a giant screen to rival a Tesla with easy-to-work controls and smartphone mirroring.

Unlike a lot of EVs, the Enyaq is not a straight-line jackrabbit, although there is solid performance and good overtaking punch.

So, then, it’s clearly a family car and the pitch works.

It is roomy, nicely quiet, and has predictable handling with – in the Sportline – a smooth ride that disguises its 2.2-tonne heft unless you hit big bumps or get too enthusiastic in a corner.

There will eventually be a four-door Enyaq wagon but, for now, the coupe looks good and ticks plenty of boxes. It doesn’t have a Tesla badge, but it’s definitely a showroom contender with plenty of plusses.