Skoda Enyaq iV 80 – Review

Overview – Skoda Enyaq iV 80

The Skoda Enyaq was the first all-electric SUV and car built from the ground up by the Czech manufacturer, and it has made a good start to life on the Auto Express test fleet.

It has the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform with all the associated tech, along with a crisp but conservative design, roomy cabin and “Simply Clever” features.

The entry-level Enyaq iV 60 model has 58kWh of usable battery capacity, while the 80 model has 82kWh and a starting price of £39,365 before options with a range of 246 and 338 miles respectively.

Style-wise, it has a huge front grille and slim headlights, plus functional air intakes. The interior is smartly designed with nice upholstery throughout, while the boot has a capacity of 585 litres.

The car is affordable when compared to the Tesla Model Y and has strong performance and comfort at speed, making it great for town and motorway driving. 

Skoda cars are generally not available in the US.

Skoda Racing Heritage And The vRS Badge

The Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV vRS, inspired by Skoda’s racing heritage with its vRS badge, blends the brand’s hallmark practicality with a sportier Coupe aesthetic.

Although not as swift as competitors like the Tesla Model Y Performance, its power variants offer up to 295hp and a range nearing 345 miles for the single-motor variant.

The vehicle stands out with its bold “Hyper Green” default paint, and while its software has room for improvement, its overall user-friendly interface is commendable. Priced a bit higher at £54,370 ($69,000), it offers a unique character in the EV SUV market, balancing performance and family-friendly features.

Skoda Enyaq iV 80 Energy And Carbon Efficiency

The Skoda Enyaq iV 80 has some of the lowest carbon emissions figures in its class. It emits 89 gCO2/mi, which is lower than the BMW i7 xDrive60 (104 gCO2/mi), the Volkswagen ID5 (92 gCO2/mi), and the Jaguar I-Pace EV400 (112 gCO2/mi). The Hyundai IONIQ 6 has the lowest carbon emissions figure in its class at 84 gCO2/mi. 

The Skoda Enyaq iV 80 is one of the most environmentally friendly cars on the market. Its low carbon emissions figures mean that it will have a positive impact on the environment, reducing its contribution to climate change.

The Enyaq iV 80 also has a range of up to 310 miles on a single charge, meaning drivers don’t have to worry about range anxiety. 

Overall, the Skoda Enyaq iV 80 is a great choice for drivers who are looking for a car with low carbon emissions. Its low emissions figures and long range make it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to reduce their carbon footprint.

EV Engine, Power and Performance

The Enyaq is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 168bhp and 310Nm of torque, and it can accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds. It comes with a choice of one or two motors, and rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The 60 uses a 62kWh battery pack that will return 246 miles between charges, and has a 180hp electric motor. The 80 takes capacity up to 82kWh, with 338 miles of range and a more powerful 204hp electric motor, while the 80x uses the same battery with 265hp and four-wheel drive but a slight drop in range to 318 miles.

At the top of the range is the vRS, which has 299hp and a range of 321 miles. The car has punchy performance in the 60 model and is great out on the motorway, although it’s not as much fun when things get twisty. It takes around nine hours to charge from empty to full with a 7kW home charger.

The Enyaq has a range of 331 miles on a full charge, according to the official WLTP figures which differ from reported figures, though in real-world testing a range of around 260 miles has been seen.

Interior Comfort, Cargo Dimensions and Boot Size

The Enyaq offers generous amounts of room for five adults and a huge boot, with a compartment below for charging cables. The EcoSuite interior design pack adds Cognac Brown leather, which is tanned with extracts from olive leaves rather than the usual cocktail of nasty chemicals.

The optional Light and View Package Basic gives you LED matrix headlights with washers and LED rear lights.

The Skoda Enyaq is easy to get comfortable behind the wheel of, with lots of head and legroom and plenty of adjustment.

There’s also lots of storage all around, including a huge glovebox and large door bins. Rear-seat passengers will also be comfortable, with lots of legroom and headroom, wide-opening doors, and Isofix mounting points.

The boot is huge with a capacity of 585 litres, and it is easy to get things in and out of thanks to a complete lack of a boot lip.

Infotainment, Tech and Connectivity

The Enyaq offers a 13-inch central touchscreen, as well as a small digital instrument cluster. It also comes with a range of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot detection.

There is also a wireless charging mat, and the Convenience Package Basic adds keyless entry, extra noise suppression, privacy glass and a wireless charging mat.

In fact every version of the Skoda Enyaq gets a 13.0-inch infotainment system as standard, though it’s not the best on the market. It’s a bit laggy at times and the ‘Laura’ voice command system is temperamental at best.

You can mirror your smartphone using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and there are USB-C ports to keep devices charged. Wireless charging is part of the Clever Package on the 60 and 80, and standard on the 80 SportLine and 80x SportLine.

Safety Features

The Enyaq comes with a range of safety features, including lane-keeping assistance, autonomous emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert. It also comes with a fatigue warning system and adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist.

The Skoda Enyaq scored five stars out of five from the safety experts at Euro NCAP. It has front, side, and side curtain airbags, Front Assist, Lane Assist, and electrically operated child locks (standard on high-spec models). It also has ISOFIX mounts for child seats in the back and in the front passenger seat.

Warranty Information

The Enyaq comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, with the battery covered for eight years and 100,000 miles.

Final Thoughts

The Skoda Enyaq is a very well appointed family car, with a range of optional extras and a range of up to 331 miles on a full charge. It is also a very relaxing car to drive, and it offers a 13-inch central touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a range of safety features. It also comes with a three-year/60,000 mile warranty.

The Enyaq is a great all-round SUV and does all the basics incredibly well. It has strong performance and is comfortable at speed, while being great for town and motorway driving. The interior is well designed and the boot is huge, with a capacity of 585 litres.

The car scored five stars out of five from Euro NCAP and comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. It’s an affordable option when compared to the Tesla Model Y, and is definitely worth considering for those looking for an electric SUV.

Technical Specifications