Exploring the Electric Heart: The Škoda Elroq Line, Up
Before we dig into how it handled the narrow switchbacks of Lusen or swallowed up bikes in its boot, let’s talk specs. Škoda’s Elroq comes in three battery variants, Elroq 50, 60, and 85. I had the pleasure of testing the top, spec Elroq 85, which features a robust 77 kWh battery (net capacity) paired with a 210 kW electric motor delivering a punchy 286 horsepower to the rear wheels.
What impressed me immediately was how calm the Elroq looked. A grey body with matte accents, a continuous LED strip across the front, and the kind of clean body lines that whispered subtle confidence. You wouldn’t mistake it for something exotic at first glance, but you’d be wrong to overlook it. Because once you hit the start button, this thing quietly roars.
The Elroq RS variant with AWD and 250 kW will arrive later in 2025, but even in RWD format, the Elroq 85 feels planted and agile.
Real Roads, Real Performance: Handling the Lusen Switchbacks
I kicked off my test in the early morning chill, tires still cold as I eased the Elroq out of the guesthouse driveway. Lusen’s roads are notoriously unforgiving, narrow, uneven, and constantly changing elevation. And yet, the Elroq soaked it all up. The adaptive chassis played a major role here, responding to both potholes and cobblestone transitions with refined grace. Not soft, but not crashy either. It rode with composure.
When I switched to Sport mode, the character changed entirely. The torque, 545 Nm of it, was instantly noticeable. You push the pedal, and the Elroq delivers. From 60 to 100 km/h, it took just over 3 seconds to surge ahead. Silent, brutal acceleration in a car this size was something I hadn’t expected to enjoy so much.
The turning circle of just 10.2 meters made navigating through tight village streets surprisingly easy. But what really shined was how the car hugged the curves. The feedback from the steering wasn’t razor, sharp like a sports car, but it was accurate, confident. The regenerative braking was intuitive after a short learning curve. I found myself shifting between the three recuperation levels using the steering paddles as naturally as I’d shift gears on a sportbike.
Braking took some getting used to. The pedal feel is a bit numb initially, but once I adjusted my style, the stopping power impressed. A full, force stop from 100 km/h took just 34.3 meters.
Energy Use and Charging in the Wild
Lusen isn’t exactly riddled with DC fast chargers, so energy management was crucial during this test. The Elroq 85 excelled here too. With a WLTP, rated range of 580 km and an ADAC, tested real, world range of 475 km, I didn’t feel the usual EV anxiety, even while pushing it on climbs.
Energy consumption averaged 18.2 kWh/100 km over the entire route, which included city traffic, mountain roads, and a dash of autobahn. On flatter roads at 90 km/h, the range stretched beyond 560 km.
Fast charging peaked at an impressive 180 kW during one highway stop. Preconditioning the battery through the navigation menu helped hit that peak, especially important since charging performance drops to 100 kW once the battery hits around 33% state of charge.
Charging from 10 to 80% took roughly 28 minutes, enough time to grab a coffee and admire the views.
Practicality Meets Precision: Space for Bikes and Humans
Despite being shorter than the Enyaq, the Elroq doesn’t skimp on space. At 4.49 meters long with a 2.76, meter wheelbase, it comfortably seated four adults on our trip, two over six feet tall included. Front seats felt premium and well, bolstered, especially on long drives, and rear legroom was more than sufficient.
The trunk was a mixed bag. Measured at 365 liters (770 with rear seats down, 1335 liters to the roof), it wasn’t the cavernous space you’d expect, but still enough. I carried two e, bikes on a rear rack thanks to its 75 kg drawbar load. The flat loading floor helped, although the sill height at 69 cm could be tricky for heavier items.
Inside, Škoda’s “Simply Clever” elements shined. An umbrella in the door, a hidden cubby under the dashboard, and a neat charging cable net in the trunk all made for thoughtful touches. The 13, inch touchscreen worked smoothly once I got used to the layout, though I wasn’t a fan of the haptic sliders for volume. Fortunately, steering wheel controls saved the day.
Living With the Elroq: Comfort, Noise, and Daily Usability
One thing that stuck with me after a few days: just how quiet this car is. At 130 km/h, interior noise stayed around 65.9 dB(A), making it easy to hold conversations or simply enjoy music. Suspension tuning balanced road feedback with a plush ride feel. On cobblestone or broken pavement, it muted the harshness well without feeling floaty.
Storage inside the cabin was generous, with large door bins and well, placed cup holders. Ventilated phone charging pads were a nice touch, especially with two of them side by side.
Even with four people and luggage, the Elroq never felt overloaded. The 1,000 kg towing capacity makes it bike, trip ready, and the 531 kg payload means you’re not compromising practicality for the sake of being electric.
Technical Specification
| Specification | Details |
| Motor | Rear, wheel drive, electric |
| Power Output | 210 kW (286 HP) |
| Torque | 545 Nm |
| Battery Capacity (Net) | 77.0 kWh |
| Charging Power (DC/AC) | 135 kW / 11 kW |
| Acceleration (0, 100 km/h) | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h |
| WLTP Range | 580 km |
| Real, World Range (ADAC) | 475 km |
| Consumption (WLTP/Real) | 15.2 / 18.2 kWh/100 km |
| Braking Distance (100, 0 km/h) | 34.3 meters |
| Turning Circle | 10.2 meters |
| Interior Noise at 130 km/h | 65.9 dB(A) |
| Trunk Volume (Standard/Max) | 365 L / 1335 L |
| Towing Capacity (Braked/Unbraked) | 1,000 kg / 750 kg |
| Price (Base for Elroq 85) | €43,900 |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4488 x 1884 x 1625 mm |
| Weight (Empty / Payload) | 2134 kg / 516 kg |
Conclusion: A Confident Step into the Electric Future
After 600+ kilometers in Lusen, I walked away convinced: the Škoda Elroq 85 isn’t just a good electric SUV, it’s a well, rounded, thoughtfully built vehicle that happens to run on electrons. It’s powerful when you want it to be, comfortable when you need it to be, and just practical enough to carry your bikes, your friends, and your weekend bags.
As someone who rides hard and travels light, the Elroq didn’t just fit into my lifestyle, it enhanced it. It may not be perfect (those sliders still bug me), but it’s close. Very close.
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