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Pros: Robustly made, spacious interior, lots of kit
Cons: No seven-seat option, new look might divide opinion
Skoda Enyaq Design
The primary difference between the new Enyaq and its predecessor is the design, particularly at the front end. Gone is the aggressive old grille, replaced with a thin, glossy black panel into which the lights are integrated, while the bumpers have been restyled to make the car fractionally bigger and more imposing, while still making it more aerodynamic.
The body itself hasn’t really changed much, and you can still choose whether you want a Coupe or a conventional SUV body shape, but Skoda has played with some of the details. The old logos are gone, replaced with Skoda lettering in a more understated, more modern look than the old brightwork. And if you choose the SUV shape and don’t opt for the sporty Sportline trim, you get a dark silver finish on some of the lower body panels, creating a kind of two-tone effect.
Other changes include fresh lights and paintwork, but if you ignore the front end, it’s all instantly recognisable as an Enyaq.
Skoda Enyaq Interior
Inside, the Enyaq has changed even less than it has on the outside, but there’s nothing too wrong with that. As before, the design is perfectly smart and the quality is exemplary, so massive structural changes really weren’t necessary.
What Skoda has done is add some extra equipment, fitting heated seats and a heated steering wheel to all new Enyaqs, and putting in three-zone climate control so rear-seat passengers can set a different temperature to those in the front. Again, the Skoda logos have been replaced with lettering, and there are some new upholstery options, but otherwise it’s more of the same.
That means there’s a big central touchscreen with a crisp display and lots of features, and Skoda’s latest software has made it much easier to navigate than it was at first. Similarly, the latest-generation head-up display is very capable, and the digital instrument cluster may be small, but it gives you all the information you need.
Perhaps more importantly, the Enyaq is still every bit as spacious as before, with a massive 585-litre boot in SUV-shape models. That’s much more than you get in the back of a Ford Explorer, and it’s complemented by ample leg- and headroom in the rear. Some might lament the lack of a seven-seat option, given some smaller cars offer that, but the Enyaq is still hugely practical and spacious.
So spacious, in fact, that even the Coupe is practical. That sloping roofline means loading bulky cargo is a bit more difficult, but the boot isn’t that much smaller, and you only lose a little rear headroom, so the trade-off isn’t all that great.
Skoda Enyaq Performance and Drive
In Ireland, three different Enyaq powertrains will be offered at launch. The top two have batteries with 77kWh of usable capacity, and both produce 286hp, which means performance is brisk. Both can even charge from 10 to 80 per cent in less than half an hour on a public rapid charger, and they can be recharged completely in 12 hours using a ‘wallbox’ home charging point.
The main difference, then, is how the power is distributed. The basic ‘85’ model sends all its power to the rear wheels, whereas the ‘85x’ version has a second electric motor at the front to give it four-wheel drive. That means there’s more traction on slippery surfaces, but it also means the 85x is not as efficient as its sibling. Where official figures suggest the 85 manages 575km on a single charge, the 85x will only cover 538km.
Admittedly, those figures improve slightly (up to 587km and 538km) if you go for the slightly more streamlined Coupe, but the truth is neither car will manage its official range on a long motorway drive in the real world. We reckon something in the region of 400km is more realistic, and possibly less in cold weather, which will impact the battery.
The third model is called the Enyaq 60 and its battery of 58kWh usable capacity means a 430km range. It’s mated with a rear-mounted motor producing up to 204hp.
Whichever powerplant you choose, the Enyaq drives tidily, with precise steering and good body control, which means the car doesn’t lean too much in corners. The ride is a bit firm, especially at low speeds, but that’s common with electric cars, and you can reduce the impact (quite literally) by choosing the optional Dynamic Chassis Control system. That allows you to set up the suspension as you see fit, choosing Comfort mode when you want a softer ride, then swapping to Sport mode when you want better handling. Alternatively, you can set a customisable individual preference that strikes the balance you want.
The brakes are a bit of a weak spot, though, with quite a mushy feel and surprisingly large amounts of pedal travel required to slow the car effectively.
Skoda Enyaq Pricing
Pricing is strong for the updated Enyaq. The ‘60’ model starts from €43,060 in SUV style, while the longer-ranged 85 is priced from €45,250.
And it’ll come with more kit than before, thanks to the interior upgrades. That means base models will get a reversing camera, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and three-zone climate control, as well as alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and loads of safety equipment. And if you move upmarket, you can add the head-up display and various other goodies to that list.
Carzone Verdict
Whether you like the Enyaq’s new look is a question of taste, but you can’t argue with the solidity, practicality and range that has made this car so popular over the years. It still has all the same charms as ever, and that’s enough to ensure it remains one of the very best in the business.