Electric coupé SUV adds dramatic looks to the Enyaq’s long list of strengths On sale Early 2023 Price from £54,370
Steve Huntingford Steve.Huntingford@haymarket.com
LIKE A WATERPROOF jacket or a pair of comfortable shoes, Skodas tend to appeal because of how sensible they are. However, the Enyaq Coupé iV is designed to resonate on a more emotional level.
The latest addition to the burgeoning electric car ranks, it swaps the practical, squared-off rear end of the regular Enyaq for a roof that curves downwards far more dramatically and incorporates a standard panoramic glass roof.
What’s more, while its sister model is available with a range of power outputs, battery options and trims, the Enyaq Coupé is initially being offered only in hot vRS form. This means you get two electric motors that pump out a combined 295bhp. And with four-wheel drive, the vRS has no trouble transferring that power to the road, even in slippery conditions.
Indeed, it feels pretty lively whether you’re accelerating away from a standstill (0-62mph takes 6.5sec) or putting your foot down on the move. That said, it’s worth noting that the equivalent Kia EV6 AWD is quite a bit quicker again (0-62mph in 5.2sec), as is the slightly more expensive but similarly sleek Volvo C40 Recharge Twin (4.7sec).
Both of those cars also have higher maximum charging speeds, but a 77kWh (usable capacity) battery gives the vRS an official range of 323 miles, compared with the EV6’s 314 miles and the C40’s 274 miles.
With the standard adaptive suspension in its firmest setting, the vRS handles in a tidy manner, keeping body lean well controlled in corners. Just don’t expect it to feel sporty; you’re still aware of the car’s considerable weight as it shifts onto the outside wheels, and the steering isn’t all that quick.
Given that bumps in the road also send jolts through to occupants, you’re better off switching to Comfort mode. Yes, you still feel – and hear – the odd thump from the suspension, but the car is generally far better at disguising imperfections in the road surface, without becoming overly sloppy in bends.
Refinement impresses no matter which driving mode you select. The brakes respond predictably (something that’s not always a given in electric cars), plus there’s little wind noise and only a faint rumble from the big tyres
