The Skoda Enyaq iV battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has been revealed ahead of it going on sale in international markets towards the end of this year. The bespoke EV is the firm’s first use of the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric car platform and offers three battery capacities, rear or four-wheel drive and a RS performance variant.

• Enyaq gets 55kWh, 62kWh and 82kWh battery pack options.
• RWD or AWD available; power outputs from 148hp to 306hp. 
• Claims to have ‘characteristically spacious interiors’.  

Skoda Enyaq iV: Exterior design

Described as “the start of a new era for Skoda” by new CEO Thomas Schäfer, the SUV has an “emotive, powerful and dynamic” exterior design. Measuring 4,648mm long and 1,877mm wide, it’s almost as big as the Skoda Octavia and significantly larger than the Kia e-Niro, which it rivals globally. Skoda says space inside is on par with its seven-seat Kodiaq as a result.

Distinctive features include an optional LED-backlit grille with a coming/leaving home animation. The LED headlights and tail-lights perform similar displays and scrolling indicators are standard. Skoda claims the Enyaq has a drag coefficient of just 0.27 – low for an SUV.

Skoda Enyaq iV: Cabin and features

The interior is “inspired by modern living environments”, using “natural, sustainably processed and recycled materials”. Skoda hasn’t set trim levels, choosing instead to offer ‘design selections’ – co-ordinated interior packs available across the range.

The dashboard is dominated by a 13-inch, central touchscreen with gesture control, an e-SIM for connected functions and a voice assistant. There’s also a 5.3-inch digital instrument display offering four different layouts.

This being a Skoda, a number of ‘Simply Clever’ features are available, too. Storage space for odds and ends can be found in a 6.2-litre ‘jumbo box’ under the centre armrest and an 11.4-litre space beneath the centre console, while charging cables live under the boot floor.

Skoda Enyaq iV: Electric powertrain and battery options

Of the rear-wheel-drive models, the entry-level Enyaq 50 iV gets a single, 148hp electric motor and a 55kWh battery pack capable of delivering a range of 340km on a single charge. Up next is the 60 iV that comes with a 179hp motor and a 62kWh battery for a 390km range and a 0-100kph time of 8.7sec. The 80 iV boosts power to 204hp and gets an 82kWh battery for a 510km range, with 0-100kph taking 8.5sec.

The four-wheel-drive options both have two motors and use the 82kWh battery. The 80x iV produces 265hp for a 6.9sec 0-100kph time and has a 460km range. The 306hp RS is the only Enyaq with a top speed above 160kph, topping out at 180kph, while it can hit 100kph from rest in 6.2sec. Its range is also 460km.

The Enyaq is capable of rapid charging at up to 125kW, resulting in a 5-80 percent charge taking as little as 38 minutes. However, the maximum rate is 50kW as standard, with 100kW being optional on the 62kWh battery, and 125kW only optional on the 82kWh battery. Every Enyaq can also charge via a domestic socket or a 11kW wall-box.

Skoda Enyaq iV: Is it coming to India?

The Enyaq is the first MEB model not to be built in Germany. Instead, it’s made at Skoda’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic. International deliveries are earmarked to begin early next year.

With production based in Europe, the all-electric Skoda SUV is unlikely to make it to India. Bringing the Enyaq into our market either through the CBU (completely-built up) or CKD (completely knocked-down) routes will price it out of the segment. Zac Hollis, brand director, Skoda Auto India, has already confirmed that the carmaker doesn’t intend to bring in a low-volume, niche EV model. Instead, a Skoda mass-market EV for India is under evaluation, but the launch is still some time away.