Skoda Enyaq iV review: performance, motor & drive

You can forget Tesla Model S or Porsche Taycan-challenging traffic-light getaways: the Enyaq iV has been tuned to deliver a more relaxing driving experience – and for many that'll be just right. There’s still plenty of poke for overtaking and keeping up with faster-moving traffic; the Skoda just doesn’t goad you into driving like a hooligan.

Even in rear-wheel-drive guise, it feels safe and predictable, with plenty of grip and accurate steering. There’s not much body roll and the brakes are strong. Speaking of the brakes, the regenerative braking setup isn’t as strong as you’ll find in some electric cars, but it can be operated using the steering-wheel paddles, which is a handy touch and something you don’t get in its Volkswagen ID.4 sister car. Note these paddles are only standard on some specs, however.

Skoda Enyaq iV 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration

In terms of performance, the only notable difference between the Enyaq iV 60 and the bigger-battery Enyaq iV 80 is a small power hike. 'Small' being the operative word in that sentence; the 60 makes 177bhp, while the 80 boasts just 24bhp more. The 60 will do 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds, while the 80 shaves that slightly to 8.7 seconds. Power delivery is pretty smooth and relatively linear – at least after that initial hit of torque you get in most electric cars. It’s not going to set the seat of your pants on fire, but it’s quick enough. 

The 80x SportLine Plus gets an extra 60bhp and four-wheel drive thanks to the addition of an electric motor on the front axle, slashing the 0-62mph time to 6.9 seconds.

But if you’re looking to complete the school run in record time the Enyaq iV vRS turns the wick up even further. It also uses a dual-motor setup, but pumps out a total of 295bhp and 460Nm of torque. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in 6.5 seconds, which is not that much quicker than the 80x SportLine Plus on paper. You’d be hard-pressed to notice the vRS’ extra power behind the wheel either, because it’s delivered in the same smooth way as in the regular Enyaq iV.

Every version gets the usual array of Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes, but the four-wheel drive Enyaq iV 80x and vRS models also feature a 'Traction' driving mode. This increases ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) and provides optimal drive distribution between the front and rear axle.

Handling

Refinement is excellent; this is easily the quietest Skoda we’ve ever been in – even road and wind noise seem to be kept at bay on all but the roughest surfaces. In fact, the only area where things seem to come undone is with regards to ride quality. The Enyaq iV is available with up to 21-inch wheels but even on our test car’s 20s, it was a bit firm to be considered comfortable. That’s particularly apparent at low speeds, though – things improve the faster you go.

One thing of note is that the optional adaptive dampers seem to improve the ride; we've tried an Enyaq iV 80 with these fitted and despite the larger wheels, the ride is tangibly smoother. We’d strongly consider trying cars with and without the adjustable suspension before placing an order.

Elsewhere, while the relaxed power delivery means the Skoda doesn’t goad you into driving quickly, if you do find yourself on your favourite road then there is fun to be had. Body control is good and the steering is nicely weighted. For an SUV it feels pretty agile. The brakes are strong, too. One final positive about the driving experience is that the boxy shape gives great all-round visibility. No matter which way you’re looking – front, back, or over the shoulder – you know exactly where the car is placed on the road.

Skoda has fitted sports suspension to the Enyaq vRS, dropping the ride height by 15mm at the front and 10mm at the rear. This, combined with the optional 21-inch wheels on the one we drove, did cause a few more jolts to filter through into the cabin than in the regular Enyaq iV, but it's never uncomfortable. Sadly, the slight compromise in ride quality doesn’t result in equal gains in driving dynamics. 

There’s surprisingly little body roll in the vRS, despite the hot SUV’s weighing over two tonnes, and overall it does feel quite balanced. However, it’s still hard to flow between corners on a twisty B-road, and If you head into tight bends with enthusiasm you’ll find the front washing away with some understeer.