Skoda Enyaq coupe iV RS: the electric SUV is excited

Long before the release of the Enyaq, when Skoda started talking about the arrival of a future electric car, it was an SUV silhouette with a sloping hatchback placed in front. First with the Vision E concept car, presented at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2017, then the Vision iV unveiled in Geneva two years later. however, the Czech brand is the latest from the Volkswagen group to market a coupe version of its Enyaq electric SUV, a few months after its cousins ​​the Volkswagen ID.5 and Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback. Thanks to its relatively low rear window, the Skoda Enyaq managed to hide its massive appearance well… Even if it had to do without a rear wiper as a result. An increasingly common disease, which also affects the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The practical aspects are saved, with roominess and modularity intact, while the trunk volume looks respectable, with 570 liters.

If the line is attractive, the color of our test copy will love the look. This almost fluorescent yellow green (officially called Mamba green), which resembles the tint of a highlighter, is a new feature reserved for the RS version. As is the tradition of this Skoda badge, this means that our test copy has most powerful mechanic offered in Enyaq. The two motors (one on each axle, providing all-wheel drive) form a 299 hp combined power. Here is a set already known for the Audi Q4 50 e-tron quattro and Volkswagen ID.4 GTX. At Skoda, on the other hand, it is new and reserved for the cut version of the Enyaq.

Solid performance, but not exceptional

When driving, this mechanism clearly shows similarities with both the motorized Q4 and ID.4. Vitality is palpable, with 0 to 100 km/h claimed in 6.5 seconds, but the reminders are still not a sportswoman. The fault lies in the very high mass (2,253 kg) of this SUV. Similarly, the top speed is limited to 180 km/h, which is quite low for a model of this power. We notice, compared to its cousins, an accelerator with a slightly more reactive mapping: as soon as we touch the right pedal, the Enyaq RS takes off. We regret that the extension is not more important: the performance appears to be lower than a Tesla Model Y Long Autonomy, for example.

Long before the release of the Enyaq, when Skoda started talking about the arrival of a future electric car, it was an SUV silhouette with a sloping hatchback placed in front. First with the Vision E concept car, presented at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2017, then the Vision iV unveiled in Geneva two years later. however, the Czech brand is the latest from the Volkswagen group to market a coupe version of its Enyaq electric SUV, a few months after its cousins ​​the Volkswagen ID.5 and Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback. Thanks to its relatively low rear window, the Skoda Enyaq managed to hide its massive appearance well… Even if it had to do without rear wipers as a result. An increasingly common disease, which also affects the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The practical aspects are saved, with roominess and modularity intact, while the trunk volume looks respectable, with 570 liters.

If the line is attractive, the color of our test copy will love the look. This almost fluorescent yellow green (officially called Mamba green), which resembles the tint of a highlighter, is a new feature reserved for the RS version. As is the tradition of this Skoda badge, this means that our test copy has most powerful mechanic offered in Enyaq. The two motors (one on each axle, providing all-wheel drive) form a 299 hp combined power. Here is a set already known for the Audi Q4 50 e-tron quattro and Volkswagen ID.4 GTX. At Skoda, on the other hand, it is new and reserved for the cut version of the Enyaq.

Solid performance, but not exceptional

When driving, this mechanism clearly shows similarities with both the motorized Q4 and ID.4. Vitality is palpable, with 0 to 100 km/h claimed in 6.5 seconds, but the reminders are still not a sportswoman. The fault lies in the very high mass (2,253 kg) of this SUV. Similarly, the top speed is limited to 180 km/h, which is quite low for a model of this power. We notice, compared to its cousins, an accelerator with a slightly more reactive mapping: as soon as we touch the right pedal, the Enyaq RS takes off. We regret that the extension is not more important: the performance appears to be lower than a Tesla Model Y Long Autonomy, for example.

Like other models based on the MEB platform of the Volkswagen Group, the Skoda Enyaq Coupé iV RS shows convincing behavior on the road. Inertia is certainly sensitive when entering the corner, but the perfect distribution of weight, and Pirelli tires with relatively progressive reactions make it possible to shake a little family SUV. On acceleration, the rear motor accepts to send a bit of torque to the rear axle to help the stern pivot, in proportions that are certainly very reasonable. This RS version is equipped with a sports chassis with more stable calibration than other Enyaqs. This helps maintain the body, while comfort remains very difficult, even with the optional large 21-inch wheels fitted to our test copy. The only complaint is about the lack of rebound damping, mainly sensitive to large deformations, especially on the highway, which leads to pumping. The well-controlled damping suspension, offered in the Maxx Pack (€4,830 option) solves the problem.

An unprecedented battery… Even if you can’t see it!

Beyond its unique aesthetics, this Enyaq coupé iV RS is also distinguished and above all by new battery. If the brochure of the Czech SUV suggests a common gathering between all 80 versions, however there is a difference, despite the identical capacity (82 kWh plus 77 kWh useful). If the rear-wheel drive models keep the CATL cells equipped in the electric SUVs of the Volkswagen Group since the beginning, the 4×4 models have recently replaced their dairy. Thus, our Enyaq RS was one of the first to have the new battery supplied by LG Chem. And this one has the particularity of behaving differently during fast charging, as our comparative charging curve shows. The Enyaq RS thus receives a higher power peak at the start of charging (180 kW according to our measurements), but it drops off faster. Result: four-wheel-drive versions ultimately load more slowly. It took us 34 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent, 9 minutes to cover 100 km of freeway range and 24 minutes for 200 km. With the Volkswagen ID.5, equipped with a CATL battery, we recorded times of 27 minutes, 9 minutes and 20 minutes respectively.

Like the ID.5 recently tested in our columns, this Enyaq coupé benefits from the latest software update for electric vehicles from the Volkswagen Group. We noticed a fairly significant decrease in consumption in ID.5, the observation was confirmed here. On the highway, we noticed a average of 22 kWh/100 km, less than we are used to from four-wheel drive models based on the MEB platform, which has been around 27 kWh / 100 km in our previous tests. True, our Enyaq is equipped with an optional heat pump (€1,050), which reduces the influence of air conditioning. And temperatures were particularly mild during our test. But the result is remarkable, because it suggests a range of 350 km on the highway. What is closer to the best, Tesla in mind. The appetite is about 18 kWh / 100 km on the road and 16 kWh / 100 km in the city, respectively 420 km and 480 km of autonomy.

Once again, the Skoda Enyaq shows its talent and proves to be more convincing than its cousins. However, this top-of-the-range version, which certainly has a lot of equipment, is not cheap: 62,210 €. It makes you think. The Volkswagen ID.5 GTX is on display at €62,900, while the Tesla Model Y Grande Autonomie is trading at €64,990. Certainly, the Czech brand has moved away from its cheap image.