Skoda Enyaq review: updated EV delivers style, range and family-friendly comfort

With sharper looks, improved tech and dependable range, Skoda’s facelifted Enyaq confirms its place as one of Ireland’s best EVs

The Skoda Enyaq, first introduced to these shores in 2021, had its first facelift in January and features new light clusters, new alloy wheels, new colours, and an updated interior

SKODA ENYAQ
Rating	★★★★☆
Price	€48,500 - €57,000 as tested
Power	an EV with a 280 bhp motor
Range	claimed range of 538km but real world of about 450km
The Spec	the only thing really lacking here as standard was the dynamic chassis control
Verdict	another winner from the Czech outfit

THE word “sceptical” was probably the best one you could use to describe the feeling here at Examiner Motoring when the initial rush of EVs hit the market five or six years ago.

As car makers dashed to get on the EV train, some efforts were close to being on the money while most were, frankly, rubbish.

Even those from respected manufacturers failed to excite in any shape or form and one could sense that in their haste to get product to market — to appease growing customer demand to become clean and environmentally responsible motorists — the designers and engineers singularly failed to factor in the vital ingredient necessary for success: heart and soul.

Many of the early EVs completely lacked any automotive pizzaz and one giant manufacturer — Volkswagen — was the guiltiest of the lot of them. Its two initial contenders in the EV market — the ID.3 and the ID.4 — were so lacking in emotional engagement that one respected motoring organ likened the purchasing experience to that of buying a washing machine.

The comparison led many — Examiner Motoring included — to take this conclusion a stage further and accuse the Wolfsburg giant of having become a white goods manufacturer. They still sold loads of their EVs, but one suspected there was much more to come from the automotive sector in this regard.

Those suspicions were on the money, but the biggest surprise was the source of the new era of engaging EVs, because for VW it was literally in-house.

Well, not quite geographically or physically, but certainly from the point of view of ownership — because it was subsidiary Skoda which came up with the goods. Their Enyaq first came to our attention in mid-2021 and it immediately hit the bullseye not only for its range and capability, but because the design was warm and embracing.

In between times they introduced more powerful versions and a coupe model — well, one of those SUVs
with a coupe silhouette which have singularly failed to impress us, whoever made them. But then, last January, Skoda gave the Enyaq its first facelift and this is our tester this week.

Enyaq spacious interior

Mechanically, Skoda has not been foolish to mick-act around with what has been a very successful package. The company has instead concentrated on the visuals with the Enyaq and to this end there are new light clusters, new alloy wheels, new colours and an alignment with Skoda’s new and curiously named “Modern Solid” design language.

On the technical side, there are still two battery options — 62kWh or 82kWh — with the lesser one producing 201bhp and the other one gives out 280bhp. The one we tested was actually the top-of-the-line a twin motor, four-wheel drive option, but it has the same power output as the best rear-drive model, the same acceleration figure but a slightly worse range.

Our Enyaq Sportline 85X therefore boasted a claimed range of 538km (the regular 85 Sportline has 575km), a top speed of 180km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds. Charging from 0%-80% will take around half an hour, while the full whack will take eight hours.

As ever, these figures are optimistic and I found that a maximum charge only gave around 450 range, but the way it utilised that meant that range anxiety issues were practically non-existent.

It drove really well, although I did think the ride was a little lumpy and particularly so on the road network around where I live. As is so often the case, the comfort levels were top notch on tea-tray flat surfaces, but once you hit the B-road network, it was altogether different.

By necessity in this gig, you do most of the testing solo, but on this occasion a trip to Cork for a funeral (RIP, Marie Power) with two neighbours was required and it was pleasing to note that both commented on the difference between the ride comfort on A-roads and B-roads.

As is ever the case, there is a choice of driving modes and like so many others, the Comfort setting was probably the best, as the Sport mode made it a bit too hard core for passengers. A notch or two up from the Comfort setting was our preferred choice.

It was worth noting too that there is a dynamic chassis control system available which should make things a lot more comfortable, but it only comes in the Maxx optional pack which adds over three grand to the bottom line.

The paddle shifters on the steering wheel moderate the energy recuperation system, but it never really allows the car to become a one-pedal operation, which was fine with me. The auto-regen system worked well enough in its own right.

Skoda Enyaq

The 4x4 system worked well in making the handling sharper — permitting better cornering that you might not expect from such a big car — but it was notable that the Enyaq definitely preferred a flowing style of driving rather than one where it gets thrown at corners.

All of that was pretty familiar from our past experiences of the model and the biggest changes involve the look of the car. The headlights and the daytime running light clusters are now separate and a faux grille dominates the look. A lettered Skoda badge now replaces the old ‘flying turkey’ emblem.

Overall the exterior look is sophisticated and pleasing on the eye and much more dynamic than most European EVs’.

THE inside took has had a wash and brush-up; there’s a redesigned (heated) steering wheel — ditto the front seats — and once more the Skoda logo is replaced by text.

A 13in infotainment touchscreen has also been revised and is now much easier to configure and
while there are still very few actual buttons to control anything there are still a couple which can shortcut things. It is worth noting too that those increasingly annoying “driver assistance” systems can be easily negated.

In general, the interior is spacious, practical, and well finished and most of the materials used are nicely tactile without feeling cheap or plasticky. The rear seats are very commodious and the boot is huge.

The Enyaq has been a favourite EV here since we first encountered it, especially as it was the complete opposite of many of the soulless cars it competes against — including its fellow VW Group half-siblings.

We did have a little issue with the ride comfort, but other than that this is very much a complete family car, as many of those it was recommended to have since testified.

It is also an antidote to many of the ‘fun-less’ EVs out there, of which there are too many and keen drivers will find it to be a willing and feisty companion. It’s yet another example of Skoda cracking the ball out of the park and further testament to the company’s growing confidence in its own abilities.