Skoda releases its lowest cost EV in Australia, an electric compact SUV

Skoda, the well-known VW-owned Czech automaker, has officially announced the pricing and specifications of its second and lowest cost electric model in Australia so far, the Elroq compact SUV, with a starting price of $54,990.

The launch of the Elroy follows the release in September last year of the pricing of its first Australian-bound electric model, the Enyaq electric SUV, with a starting price of $70,000. It has sold 80 units so far this year.

Skoda has sold more than 200,000 Enraq EVs in Europe, making it quite a popular European EV offering, although only 128 units so far in Australia. The Elroq, on the other hand, has only just been released, and Australia is one of the first markets to receive the new model.

Kieran Merrigan, Škoda Australia’s head of product and marketing said sys the Elroq has dynamic handling, features a quiet ride, and reassuring real-world range. “The new Elroq is everything compact SUV customers, ready to make the transition to EV ownership, have been asking us for,” he said.

“Add to that the uniquely and simply clever inclusions that make the Elroq a Skoda, like its ingenious storage solutions, thoughtful design touches, and the reassurance of Skoda’s 7-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and affordable servicing, and the argument for Elroq to be a first foray into BEV ownership is designed to be convincing.”

Skoda say the Elroq will initially be available in Australia under two variants with both offering their own unique powertrain setup. These include:

• 85 Select – $54,990 before on-roads
• 130 Years Edition – $64,990 before on-roads

Starting with the range on both models which stands at up to 529 km on the WLTP cycle. That’s thanks to its 82 kWh battery pack. 

When it comes to charging up to 175 kW of DC fast charging is on offer, which is the same as Enyaq SUV, making it one of the faster charging Electric SUVs in the market. 

On the AC charging front, 11 kW of AC charging is available allowing the car to charge from 0-100% in about 8 hours.

This battery feeds the single-motor rear-wheel-drive powertrain in both variants, delivering up to 210 kW of power.

With this powertrain, the Elroq can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.

The Elroq 85 features:

• 19-inch ‘Regulus’ alloy wheels
• ‘Keyless Advanced’ locking and starting system with SAFELOCK and alarm
• 13″ Infotainment screen with Wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless smartphone fast-charging with active ventilation
• Dual-zone climate control
• Heated front seats
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated/power-folding/auto-dimming exterior mirrors
• Mode 3 (Type 2) charging cable
• One door-mounted umbrella

Additional comfort and visual features are added to the more premium 130 Years Edition, including:

• 21-inch ‘Supernova’ alloy wheels
• Head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality, power adjustment for the front seats (height and lumbar) with memory and massage functions
• 360-degree surround-view camera
• Canton 12-speaker premium audio system
• Power tailgate
• Intelligent Park Assist 
• Rear sunshades
• Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic headlight range control and cornering lights
• Premium animated LED rear taillamps and premium interior finishes

Both variants also come with quite a few safety features, including:

• Travel Assist which incorporates adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Lane Assist and Emergency Assist
• Front Assist with Collision Avoidance Assist and Turn Assist
• Side Assist with Exit Warning
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Seven Airbags

Skoda will be offering the Elroq with a 7 year warranty as well as a 8 year/160,000 km high-voltage battery warranty.

On the back of this model’s arrival announcement, Kieran Merrigan, Škoda Australia’s head of product and marketing said: “With it’s forward-looking exterior styling, elegant and intuitive interior design, dynamic handling, quiet ride, effortless power delivery, reassuring real-world range and thoughtful spec inclusions, the new Elroq is everything compact SUV customers, ready to make the transition to EV ownership, have been asking us for,”.

“Add to that the uniquely and simply clever inclusions that make the Elroq a Skoda, like its ingenious storage solutions, thoughtful design touches, and the reassurance of Skoda’s 7-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, Skoda Choice Guaranteed Future Value, and affordable servicing, and the argument for Elroq to be a first foray into BEV ownership is designed to be convincing.”

Skoda has sold over 200,000 Elroq EVs in Europe, making it quite a popular European EV offering.

The Elroq on the other hand is one of it’s newest offering, starting production this year. This makes Australia, one of the first few markets to receive it.

Online configurator for the Elroq is now open, featuring both models in Australia, with first arrivals expected to start in September of this year.

The Elroq adds to the growing list of electric SUV models, offering more clean EV choices for drivers to make the switch than ever before.