Skoda Elroq vRS – family fun

IF a family-friendly electric SUV is on your radar, then you can’t do much better than the Skoda Elroq.

It’s attractive looking, competitively priced, has a decent range between charges, loads of thoughtful practicality and is great to drive.

Sounds like everything you might wish from a compact crossover model – except there are those who are never 100 per cent satisfied, want something more, specifically something quicker.

Well fear not, there’s no need to search elsewhere thanks to the latest offering to emerge from Skoda’s fully electric stable – the Elroq RS.

Launched just four months ago, the Elroq vRS delivers a handy 340PS via a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup, making it the Czech brand’s fastest production model with acceleration of 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.

A sizeable 84kWh battery gives the Elroq vRS a range of up to 339 miles and DC rapid charging at up to 185kW allows a 10–80 per cent charge in around 26 minutes, while an 11kW AC charger sorts out overnight charging in 8.5 hours.

Impressive numbers all round then, but any model wearing the vRS badge needs to take its performance and dynamics to the next level.

To that end the vRS comes with a bespoke sports chassis lowered by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear as well as a revised steering set-up aimed at creating a more sporty driving feel while Drive Mode Select also offers a traction mode tailored to the all-wheel drive.

And if you really want to fine-tune the dynamics then not only is Dynamic Chassis Control fitted as standard but it allows for up to 15 adjustable shock absorber settings in Individual mode.

This flagship Elroq model also gets more powerful brakes – with two-piston floating callipers and larger disks than the standard Elroq 85 model – and two external sounds, Sport and Futuristic, can be selected via the car’s infotainment menu.

The end result is a model that really does raise the bar. It’s engaging, quick, well balanced, comfortable, well insulated from wind and road noise and ultimately rewarding to drive.

As for design, practicality and kit, the vRS comes with sculpted bumpers with a reflective strip across the rear, black exterior accents on the window trims, roof rails and mirror caps while 20-inch black alloy wheels are fitted as standard.

Up front the sports seats are electrically adjustable with memory and massage function for the driver and are finished in soft microsuede while lime green stitching and carbon-effect inlays add extra visual flair.

Space, front and back, is plenty good enough for family motoring – three kids can travel comfortably in the rear – and you also get an electrically operated tailgate ensuring easy access to the 470-litre boot, which expands to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

The latest tech sees the Elroq come with a five-inch digital cockpit display and 13-inch central touchscreen with vRS-specific graphics, plus an augmented reality head-up display, an Area View camera and 12-speaker CANTON sound system.

And, as with all Elroq models, a selection of Simply Clever features include a QR code in the boot which can be used to access information about various boot functions via smartphone or tablet.

Buyers also get a full suite of safety kit, keyless entry including Open-On-Approach and Walk-Away Locking as standard while Remote Park Assist lets the car park itself via the MySkoda app.