Skoda Elroq 60 Select: A European Contender in Australia’s Electric SUV Arena
Skoda is making a determined push into Australia’s burgeoning electric vehicle market, aiming to carve out a significant slice of the pie currently dominated by Chinese and South Korean manufacturers. The Volkswagen-owned Czech brand is expanding its EV lineup with two new ‘standard-range’ versions of its mid-size SUVs: the Elroq 60 Select and the Enyaq 60 Select. The Elroq 60 Select, in particular, is positioned as the most affordable European electric family SUV available in Australia, sparking interest for buyers considering rivals from BYD, Kia, and others.
Priced from $49,990 drive-away, the Elroq 60 Select enters the competitive landscape of mid-size electric SUVs, directly challenging established players and newer entrants alike. While this attractive price point comes with certain compromises in terms of equipment and driving range compared to higher-spec models, it presents a compelling proposition for budget-conscious families seeking an electric European option. We’ve had the opportunity to get behind the wheel on Australian roads to assess whether this value-focused Skoda truly hits the mark.
How Much Does the Skoda Elroq Cost?
The Elroq 60 Select stands as the entry-level model in the Elroq range, with a drive-away price starting at $49,990. Skoda categorises the Elroq as a mid-size SUV, though its dimensions present a unique profile. It shares the width and wheelbase of the larger Enyaq, a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y. However, a shorter rear overhang brings its overall length down to that of a smaller SUV.
This distinct sizing places its closest rivals in a similar category, such as the BYD Atto 3 and the Geely EX5, both of which also occupy a space between the small and medium SUV segments. For context, a top-tier BYD Atto 3 is priced around $49,000 drive-away in NSW, while a flagship Geely EX5 comes in just under $50,000 drive-away in NSW. It’s worth noting that these Chinese counterparts generally offer a more generous equipment list and a longer quoted driving range, often by 25 to 55 kilometres. While the Elroq 60 Select is not directly competing with sub-$40,000 models like the BYD Atto 2 or Jaecoo J5, those vehicles are considerably smaller and built on less advanced platforms.
Closer in price and segment are the Hyundai Kona Electric, which is currently on special for $45,990 drive-away nationally with a 340km range, and the Kia EV3, which typically starts at $46,990 drive-away (usually $47,600 plus on-road costs) and boasts a 436km range. For those with a larger budget, Skoda offers the Elroq 85 Select with extended range for $59,990 drive-away, and the special edition 130 Years model for $69,990 drive-away.
Standard features on the Elroq 60 Select are respectable for a base model. These include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 13-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, fabric upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-appointed steering wheel, an eight-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control, and a comprehensive suite of safety systems.
An optional $6,000 Signature Package enhances the offering by incorporating features from higher trims, such as a head-up display, 360-degree camera, Canton premium audio, matrix LED headlights, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions. A notable omission, and a point of disappointment, is that rear-side airbags are also bundled into this package, rather than being standard across the entire Elroq line-up, despite the inclusion of standard rear curtain airbags for head protection. Larger 20-inch wheels are available as a $1,000 option.
Skoda Elroq: Dimensions and Practicality
The Elroq’s interior space is surprisingly generous for its classification, particularly in the rear. The key distinction between the Elroq and its larger sibling, the Enyaq, lies primarily in the boot. The Elroq’s truncated rear end results in a boot capacity that is 20% smaller than the Enyaq’s. However, at 470 litres, it remains a substantial cargo area, easily accommodating the needs of a family, including luggage, sports equipment, and everyday essentials. The boot is deep and broad, featuring practical amenities such as side pockets, bag hooks, a 12-volt socket, tie-down points, and a ski port for longer items. Conveniently, the charging cable and tyre repair kit are stowed neatly under the floor.
Up front, the cabin prioritises ergonomic design and comfort, even in this base specification. The manually adjustable cloth front seats are comfortable, even for taller occupants, and the inclusion of heating is a welcome bonus. The consistent use of grey fabric across the dashboard, armrests, and centre console creates an understated sense of quality that belies the Elroq’s sub-$50,000 price point, offering a more restrained aesthetic than some of its flashier Chinese rivals. The leather steering wheel feels pleasant to the touch, and there’s ample legroom for front passengers, complemented by a good range of steering column adjustment and excellent outward visibility. The sliding and tilting centre armrest further enhances comfort during longer journeys.
Storage for smaller items is well catered for, with a deep centre console compartment, generously sized door pockets (even featuring flock lining in this base model), a dedicated slot for keys and wallets near the gear selector, and a wireless phone charging tray. The glovebox is somewhat compact, and the cupholders are on the smaller side, with even 600ml bottles requiring some adjustment to fit snugly.
Convenience features include two 45-watt USB-C ports, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry and start. Skoda’s signature practical touches are also present, such as an umbrella holder in the driver’s door, a windscreen ticket holder, and a bin integrated into the door pocket.
The rear seating area offers a spacious environment for adults. Six-footers will find ample headroom and knee room behind the front seats, although toe room can be tight with the front seats set low. The cabin’s width allows for three adults to sit comfortably side-by-side, facilitated by a flat floor. A removable plastic tray can be inserted to add extra cupholders and a small item storage area. Under-thigh support is excellent, with the seat base angled upwards to provide good support.
However, a significant drawback emerges when considering the vehicle’s payload capacity. The Elroq 60 Select has a maximum payload of just 397kg. This is insufficient to carry four average-sized adults (assuming 100kg each) and would require five occupants to weigh no more than 79kg on average to remain within legal limits. This limitation significantly curtails the practical usability of the spacious rear cabin.
Rear amenities include seatback pockets for phones and maps, ample door pockets, two USB-C ports, rear air vents, three top-tether and two ISOFIX anchor points for child seats, and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. Sunshades are available as an optional extra.
Infotainment and Technology
Every Elroq model comes equipped with a 13-inch touchscreen interface that supports both wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with FM and digital DAB radio and voice control. The display is bright and features modern graphics, offering responsive performance and an intuitive menu structure once familiarised. A customisable shortcut bar at the top of the screen allows users to pin frequently accessed functions, such as lane-keep assist toggles and various settings, enhancing usability. Additional shortcuts can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen.
A notable absence is built-in satellite navigation, and there is no integrated feature for planning routes that incorporate charging stops. Skoda has integrated climate control functions into the touchscreen, with fan speed accessible within a tap. However, temperature and heated seat controls are permanently displayed at the bottom of the screen, and a physical shortcut button on the dashboard provides direct access to the climate menu. This menu sits between buttons for safety systems, driving modes, parking sensors, and defrosters. Frustratingly, there is no dedicated volume dial for the passenger; volume control is managed via a fiddly, unilluminated touch slider beneath the screen or a roller on the steering wheel.
Furthermore, the Elroq lacks a companion smartphone app, a feature commonly found in competitor EVs from Tesla, BYD, and Zeekr, which often includes remote charging scheduling. While it is possible to set a time for the cabin to precondition, this must be done from within the car, not remotely. These connected features are increasingly becoming expected by experienced EV buyers.
While wireless Apple CarPlay performed reliably during testing, the eight-speaker sound system proved somewhat underwhelming, lacking the necessary punch for genres like pop and rock, with peak volume only reaching about two-thirds of its capacity. The 5.0-inch instrument display, while on the smaller side for a vehicle of this size, is well-integrated into the dashboard and effectively displays essential information such as speed, range, and cruise control data without being overly cluttered.
Safety Credentials
The Skoda Elroq has achieved a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in Europe, though this rating has not yet been officially extended to Australia. However, the larger Skoda Enyaq holds a five-star Australian safety rating, albeit with a 2021 date stamp, as it was tested under older criteria. Given the significant structural similarities between the two models, it is reasonable to anticipate a comparable level of crash protection for the Elroq in the Australian market.
The majority of the Elroq’s safety features are well-calibrated and unobtrusive. The adaptive cruise control, managed via a steering column stalk, operates smoothly, and the lane-centring assist is intuitive, guiding the vehicle without excessive or jarring corrections. Unlike some Chinese rivals, the lane-keep assist provides gentle steering input when the car drifts over a white line, rather than aggressively fighting the driver. However, on narrow lanes or unmarked rural roads, it can intervene more frequently than desired. Fortunately, it’s easily deactivated via a shortcut button on the steering wheel that accesses the safety assist menu, and icons can be pinned to the infotainment screen for quick access.
The driver attention alert system is designed to prevent distraction by locking out the touchscreen if the system detects prolonged periods of the driver’s gaze away from the road. Notably absent is speed sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera is an optional extra. The standard rear-view camera’s resolution is also of poor quality.
Seven airbags are standard, including front and rear head-protecting curtain airbags. However, the inclusion of airbags for the rear occupants’ torsos is contingent on purchasing the $6,000 Signature Package, which is a disappointing omission for a safety feature that should ideally be standard.
Driving Range and Charging
The Elroq 60 Select is equipped with a 59kWh usable (63kWh total) nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack, offering a claimed European WLTP driving range of 395km. This figure is slightly lower than that of the Enyaq with the same battery, potentially due to the Elroq’s more compact body and stubbier rear end, which may result in less favourable aerodynamics. Skoda claims an energy efficiency of 15.9kWh per 100 kilometres. During a 160km test loop, comprising predominantly highway and enthusiastic country road driving, the Elroq 60 averaged 18.2kWh/100km, yielding a real-world estimated range of approximately 325km. Achieving the claimed range would necessitate driving with an average consumption of 15kWh/100km, which is attainable under more favourable urban driving conditions.
While Skoda claims the 60 Select is more energy-efficient than the 85 Select when fitted with the same wheels (though the cheaper car uses narrower tyres), anecdotal evidence from driving various Elroq and Enyaq models suggests that the 60 variants, powered by a 150kW electric motor, are not quite as efficient as the 85 variants with their 210kW motors. Nevertheless, both are considered reasonably efficient.
DC charging for the 60 variants is rated at up to 165kW, with Skoda claiming a 10% to 80% recharge can be completed in 24 minutes. This is four minutes slower than the 85 variants, which have a DC charging peak of 135kW but can sustain this rate for longer than the 60 can maintain its peak. The difference in charging time is largely attributable to the battery capacity. AC charging is rated at 11kW.
Driving Experience
In a market increasingly populated by Chinese EVs that can sometimes suffer from intrusive safety systems and unrefined ride characteristics, the Skoda Elroq 60 Select offers a refreshingly straightforward and composed driving experience. The 150kW/310Nm electric motor in the 60 Select, while less potent than the 85’s 210kW/545Nm unit, provides more than adequate acceleration for urban driving and merging into traffic. The accelerator pedal response is exceptionally smooth, and the 60 variant is less prone to wheelspin out of junctions compared to the 85. Performance does feel more modest when overtaking at highway speeds.
Drivers have limited control over regenerative braking, with standard ‘D’ and a more aggressive ‘B’ mode available. Neither mode allows for a full stop without engaging the brake pedal, unlike the one-pedal driving capabilities found in some Tesla, Kia, or Zeekr models. This necessitates using the brake pedal, which feels somewhat soft and lacks initial bite, requiring a more significant leg movement to bring the car to a halt. The transition between regenerative and friction braking (discs at the front, drums at the rear) is less distinct than in other Enyaq and Elroq models previously tested.
The Elroq 60 Select, with its smaller wheels and taller tyres, delivers a more compliant ride than higher-spec variants. It handles potholes and larger bumps with comfort, and at higher speeds on country roads, the body remains impressively stable over undulations. However, it can be unsettled by rough tarmac and smaller road imperfections, leading to a slight bobbing or jiggling motion as the suspension manages the vehicle’s weight. While this is a common trait among electric vehicles due to their inherent weight, it is noticeable on longer journeys.
A tight turning circle of 9.3 metres (smaller than a Suzuki Swift’s 9.6 metres) is a significant advantage in car parks, aided by quick and accurate steering that is light at low speeds and becomes more confidence-inspiring at higher speeds, with a ‘Sport’ mode adding weight. The Elroq demonstrates adeptness on country roads, a hallmark of European vehicle engineering, with taut suspension and good grip from the Hankook tyres providing confidence and composure through corners. The reduced power output means the vehicle’s electronic systems are less taxed when driving enthusiastically, with less intervention required to manage wheelspin and keep the rear tyres in check.
Overall, the Elroq is a surprisingly enjoyable car to drive, instilling a sense of confidence that it has been engineered by a company with a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics. While some tyre roar and wind noise are present at highway speeds, they are relatively modest and can be masked by the audio system.
Should You Buy a Skoda Elroq?
On paper, the Skoda Elroq 60 Select faces a challenge in justifying its position. Its real-world driving range is somewhat limited, it lacks advanced EV-specific technology like a remote smartphone app, and it doesn’t possess the same level of flashy features found in Chinese competitors that often come at a lower price point.
However, many of those rivals can be criticised for intrusive safety systems, less intuitive interiors, and less refined driving dynamics, whether that’s a less stable ride or unremarkable handling. The Elroq, in contrast, offers a remarkably spacious interior for its size, a user-friendly technology interface, and a confident ride and handling balance. It also benefits from Skoda’s seven-year warranty and is priced competitively without feeling as though essential equipment has been omitted to achieve that price.
There is one significant caveat that tempers the Elroq’s appeal: its low payload capacity. This is a surprising oversight for an established brand like Skoda and significantly compromises the vehicle’s ability to comfortably carry five adults, thereby undermining the benefit of its roomy cabin.
If you are in the market for an electric car that feels fundamentally “normal” and you do not regularly require the transport of four or five adults, the Skoda Elroq 60 Select is certainly a worthy contender and warrants serious consideration.
