Skoda's priciest model, the sleek Enyaq Coupe vRS, has its own brand of value. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Enyaq Coupe is the Skoda marque's smartest and most sophisticated car yet and this, the 340PS vRS AWD performance flagship model, offers this EV contender in its most desirable form. But a £55,000 Skoda? Really? Let's take a look.

Background

British buyers have always liked Skoda's vRS performance badge. The Czech maker even calls this 'a love affair'. Well that affection's going to be tested by this car, by far the priciest Skoda ever brought to sale, the Enyaq Coupe vRS. This car, also available with vRS trim in the more conventional boxier Enyaq body style, takes the fast EV mechanicals already used in top versions of Volkswagen Group mid-sized Crossover coupe electric vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.5 and the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron. But delivers them here with more of a performance vibe. Does it work? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

As you'd expect, this top Enyaq Coupe gets the largest available 77kWh battery available to Volkswagen Group mid-sized EV models of this sort - but that's no surprise because all Enyaq Coupe models also come fitted with it. Here though, that energy source is matched with an uprated version of the dual motor AWD powertrain that also features in slightly less powerful form in the Enyaq iV Coupe 80x. In this case though, instead of the 286PS output of that car, you get 340PS to play with and 545Nm of torque. As a result, the vRS takes only 5.5 seconds to sprint to 62mph, on the way to a limited top speed of 111mph. Driving range is 336 miles. This SUV Coupe is superbly manoeuvrable for its size, jinking through traffic hold-ups and darting into spaces. As with other electric vehicles, this one's town travel is characterised by its need to constantly emit a strange 'e-sound', intended to warn pedestrians of its impending approach. You wonder though, why it's necessary for this feature to sound so other-worldly; other brands use film composers to create more pleasant melodies. Beyond the city limits, traction is impressive but there's a little more body roll through the turns than you'd get with the alternative Volkswagen and Audi versions of this VW Group design. The pay-off for that though, is a much better standard of ride, with suppleness over poor surfaces and speed humps that's un-bettered in this class and is far superior to most rivals.

Design and Build

This vRS variant sets itself apart with a body kit, 20-inch 'Taurus' alloy wheels and a full-length red reflector strip at the rear. As with the standard Enyaq Coupe, there's some real pavement presence here, thanks to the sharply raked roofline from the B-pillar backwards. In a shape that's 4mm longer and 6mm taller than its SUV sibling (also offered in vRS form). With short overhangs, big wheels, strong shoulders and a low roofline, this will look good down at the gym. Especially if you park where people can see the twinkling 'Crystal Face' grille with its built-in LEDs. Where the ordinary Enyaq Coupe lets itself down a little is inside, where the cabin is pretty much identical to the ordinary Enyaq iV hatch. But not in the case of the vRS, which pushes itself up market with black perforated leather upholstery and a 'signature vRS Suite Design' theme. This combines special durable materials with soft colour accents and sporty elements. The upholstery features a combination of leather/microfibre fabric with lime stitching. As in an ordinary Enyaq Coupe, the fascia's dominated by a central 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, which can also be worked by both voice and gesture control. There's also a further 5.3-inch instrument binnacle display. A further interior highlight is the wonderfully-named optional 'Jumbo Box', which adds 6.2 litres of storage underneath the centre console. In the rear, the swept-back roof doesn't compromise headroom too much - a couple of adults will still be comfortable. And boot space falls by only 15-litres over the ordinary Enyaq body shape - to 570-litres.

Market and Model

So, the priciest Skoda yet made. How much would you expect to pay. Just under £55,000 is the answer - around £1,700 more than vRS trim will set you back with the conventional Enyaq iV body shape. The vRS trim level gets you 'Crystal Face' package that adds 131 twinkling LEDs to the front grille - a standout feature. Plus you also get a black panoramic glass roof that flows seamlessly into the rear section; Skoda reckons it's the largest panoramic glass roof it has ever offered. The wheels are 20-inch 'Taurus' alloys, with bolder 21-inch 'Vision Anthracite' metallic alloy rims being optional. The LED tail lights have a 'Coming/Leaving home' function. And as with the ordinary model, media features are taken care of by a 13-inch central infotainment screen and the 5.3-inch Digital Cockpit instrument binnacle display, which is supplemented by a head-up display with augmented reality. As for safety, well you'd expect some sort of Forward Collision Warning autonomous braking system on a car of this kind these days; Skoda's is called 'Front Assist' and as usual with these sorts of set-ups, it scans the road ahead as you drive. If a potential collision hazard is detected, you'll be warned. If you don't respond - or aren't able to - the brakes will automatically be applied to decrease the severity of any resulting accident. It incorporates 'Swerve Support' that stops you from turning into a junction into the path of another car. Plus there's 'Dynamic Road Sign Display' (which pictures speed signs as you pass and displays them on the dash). Like every Enyaq, this one also gets a 'Lane Assist' lane-keeping system that warns you when you stray out of your lane and applies gentle steering assistance to ease you back into it.

Cost of Ownership

This Coupe's swept-back styling delivers a predictably better drag coefficient of 0.23Cd - and it also helps that this Coupe has a marginally lighter weight than the standard SUV version. The result is a 321 mile EV driving range for this vRS version. Battery replenishment with a fast charger from 10% to 80% takes 36 minutes. Back at home, an AC1-phase 7.2kW garage wallbox would replenish any Enyaq Coupe from zero to full in about thirteen hours. When you're charging at home in winter, it'll make sense to pre-heat the cabin before use via the provided 'MySkoda' app. The power will be drawn from the charging cable if it's connected and not from the battery. On the move, there's an 'Eco' mode which reduces the power of the climate control system and restricts top speed, enhancing range. It'll also help if you engage the provided 'B' drive setting for maximum brake recuperation performance. An Enyaq Coupe driver will enjoy lower maintenance costs than would be needed for a combustion model - obviously no oil changes are required and regenerative braking means that the brake pads are designed to last the life of the car. There's a fixed servicing schedule, with a basic inspection after two years (unlimited mileage) and subsequent services every year or 18,750 miles. Skoda says that its aim is to make sure that the battery pack lasts as long as the car too and, sure enough, that battery pack is warrantied to have at least 70% of its usable capacity after eight years or 100,000 miles. There's the usual unremarkable three year / 60,000 mile Skoda warranty (only the third year has a mileage limitation). And there's 12 year body protection guarantee, a three year paint warranty and three years of Skoda assistance, which includes European breakdown cover.

Summary

If anyone was in any doubt that Skoda plans to move up-market, then this top Enyaq Coupe vRS model should prove the point. The asking price initially looks off-putting - until you go and compare it to what's required to own comparable versions of the Volkswagen ID.5 and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron EVs that share almost identically-engineering to this Czech model under the skin. This particular vRS doesn't quite have the sporty fizz that marked out Skoda vRS hot hatch models of yesteryear, but that's because it's a 2.2-tonne EV designed for a very different age. A very different kind of Skoda then. But one not without its own special brand of appeal.

Body Glass

Heated rear window

Rain and light sensors

Heat insulating darkened glass in side and rear windows

Electric front and rear windows

Heat insulating glass in windshield

Privacy glass and acoustic side windows

Brakes

Front disc brakes

Rear drum brakes

ESC (incl. ABS+MSR+ASR+EDS+HBA+DSR+RBS+MKB)

Front assist with assisted automatic braking

Chassis/Suspension

Shock absorption in front

Shock absorption in rear

Communication

Voice control system

Bluetooth system

Wi-Fi hotspot

E-call

Driver Aids

Rear view camera

Speed limiter

Front and rear parking sensors

Drive mode selector

Driver alert system

Traffic sign recognition

Progressive steering

Blind Spot Detection (BAS)

Electronic engine sound

Skoda Connect iV remote services with charging, air conditioning and smart schedules

Adaptive Cruise Control with traffic jam assist

Speed assist

Driver Convenience

Tailgate unlocking from outside

Electrically operated tailgate with kick activation (virtual pedal)

Wireless charging with cooling function

Driver Information

Satellite navigation system

Digital cockpit

Exterior temperature indicator

Washer fluid level indicator

Gesture control

13" touchscreen display

Travel assist with emergency assist, lane assist plus with narrow lane assist and urban evasive steering support

Wireless smartlink

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Door mirror memory

Electric adjustable heated folding door mirrors with boarding spots and welcome logo

Entertainment

8 Speakers

DAB Digital radio

USB-C ports (charging + data) front and rear

Exterior Body Features

Body colour bumpers

Body colour door mirrors and handles

Body colour door sills

Chrome side window surrounds

Panoramic sunroof

Safety reflectors on front and rear doors

Skoda lettering on tailgate in black

Black decorative trims (including window and grille surround)

Dashboard and door moulding light in multiple colours

Rear side wing doors

Crystal face

vRS sports bumpers

Radiator grille in gloss black

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

Headlight washers

LED daytime running lights

Light assistant (coming home/tunnel light)

LED third brake light

Full LED Matrix beam headlights with variable light distribution

Dynamic headlight range control with cornering light function

Full LED rear lights with variable lighting functions

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Pollen filter

Tri zone climate control

Interior Features

Manual rear window blind

Aluminium pedals

Manually adjustable steering column

Rear storage compartment

4 foldable roof handles with rear coat hooks

Coat hooks on B pillar

12V socket in boot

Illuminated and cooled glovebox

Parcel shelf - folding

High centre console with armrest

Laminated soft-touch plastic knee rest

Extended interior noise suspension

1x umbrella

3-spoke black leather heated sports multifunction steering wheel with black stitching and paddles for recuperation level selection

Glasses storage compartment in front centre armrest

Interior Lights

Rear reading lights

Luggage compartment lighting

Front courtesy lights

Front reading lights

LED ambient lighting

Interior door handle lighting in front and rear

Boot lighting

Front and rear footwell lighting

Safety

Power child locks

Rear side airbags

Height adjustable seatbelts

3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners

Front side airbags with curtain airbags

Tyre pressure monitor

Crew protection assist

Single tone horn

Auto door release and activation of warning lights in the event of an accident

Front and rear three point safety belt on all seats

Warning lights in front doors

Front passenger airbag deactivation switch

Driver and front passenger airbags

Visual and acoustic seat belt reminder

Central interaction airbag

Seats

Heated front seats

Driver's electric adjustable lumbar support

3 rear headrests

Front seat head restraints

Front sports seats

Isofix child seat preparation for front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Front and rear height adjustable headrests

Height adjustable front passenger seat

Manual lumbar support for front passenger seat

Isofix child seat fittings in outer rear seats with top tether

Single front passenger seat

Electrically adjustable driver seat with memory function

Rear seat bench unsplit folding with center armrest

Security

Anti theft alarm system with interior monitoring, backup horn and towing protection

Central locking system with SAFE system

Keyless entry and start/stop system advanced with walk away locking

Towing

Tow bar preparation

Transmission

Four wheel drive

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

6m mode 3 cable (32A)

175 kW DC charging

Wheels

Anti-theft wheel bolts protection

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit with compressor

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 2340

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 733

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7.2

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 480

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 28

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 175

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 0-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 82

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 678

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City - TEL: 680

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City - TEH: 653

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 549

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 550

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 533

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 15.7

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 15.6

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 16.2

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 421

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City - TEH: 406

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City - TEL: 422

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 341

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 331

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 342

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 77

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 175

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: vRS

Coin Description: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 38E

Service Interval Mileage: 999999

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 94

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 89

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 71

NCAP Safety Assist %: 82

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 340

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.4

Top Speed: 111

Engine Power - BHP: 340

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 250

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 402

Engine Torque - NM: 545

Engine Torque - MKG: 55.6

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 235/50 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 255/45 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: TAURUS

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4653

Width: 1879

Wheelbase: 2766

Width (including mirrors): 2148

Height: 1618

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2165

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2750

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1400

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 585

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 570

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1610

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.2

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Metallic paint

Exclusive paint

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Heat pump

Packs

vRS Lounge design pack - Enyaq

Transport pack - Enyaq

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Race blue

Metallic - Brilliant silver

Metallic - Moon white

Metallic - Graphite grey

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Black magic

Paint - Special

Special solid - Hyper green

Exclusive paint - Velvet red

Exclusive paint - Phoenix orange

Service/Warranty

Extended warranty (4 years or 80000 miles)

Extended warranty (4 years or 100000 miles)

Extended warranty (5 years or 100000 miles)

Towing

Electrically retractable towbar

Trim - Leather

vRS Suite design pack - Black perforated leather with black stitching and piping

Trim - Part Leather

vRS Lounge design pack - Black microsuede/perforated leather with lime stitching and piping

Vehicle Charging

iV Universal charging cable with industrial connector 32A / 230V

Wheels - Alloy

21" Vision Anthracite metallic alloy wheels with seal technology tyres