Skoda Elroq RS (2026) Review: A Family SUV That Packs a Punch

After a successful launch, the Skoda Elroq already offers an RS variant. With 340 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and impressive performance, this electric SUV aims to combine sportiness and practicality. But how does this model, which seeks to enhance the image of the Czech brand, really perform?

Style: A More Assertive SUV

The Skoda Elroq, in its classic versions, quickly established itself as a compact electric SUV with a consensual style. Close to its larger sibling, the Enyaq, but more accessible, it attracts with its balanced lines, devoid of extravagance. The RS version stands out by adding an extra dose of character.

Czech designers have revamped the front and rear bumpers, making them more sculpted, and integrated specific elements to highlight the dynamism. The wheels can reach 21 inches. The exclusive Mamba Green color, quite striking, fully embraces the sporty theme, but it can be replaced with more subdued colors. However, the Mamba Green contrasts so much with the dreary everyday world that it’s worth taking the opportunity to add a splash of color to daily life, a shade we appreciated during the Skoda Octavia RS test. The RS badge, now firmly established in the Skoda lineup (after the Fabia, Kodiaq, Octavia, and Enyaq), completes this sportier presentation.

The lowering of the chassis by a few millimeters also gives a more compact impression, visually reinforcing the sportiness. The overall design remains true to the brand's philosophy: suggesting a certain vigor without being ostentatious. In other words, the Elroq RS seeks to assert a more dynamic personality while not losing sight of its role as a family SUV.

Interior and Space: Preserving Skoda's DNA

While the exterior has been revised to appear more aggressive, the interior is primarily designed for comfort. The RS-branded suede bucket seats provide enhanced support and reinforce the sporty atmosphere while remaining comfortable for daily use. The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel adorned with the RS logo completes this ambiance.

The materials are well-crafted, with stitching matching the exterior color, and carbon or suede-style inserts adorning the dashboard. The overall impression is high-quality, reinforced by the serious finish that Skoda has accustomed us to. Unlike other electric models that rely on 100% touch interfaces, Skoda has chosen to retain several physical controls, particularly under the air vents. This is good news for ergonomics, making it easier to navigate.

But it’s mainly the spaciousness that strengthens this SUV's appeal. Thanks to a wheelbase identical to that of the Enyaq, rear seat space is particularly generous. Passengers enjoy ample headroom and comfortable shoulder width. Even with imposing front seats, legroom remains very adequate. The trunk, meanwhile, retains a volume of 470 liters, expandable to 1,580 liters once the rear seats are folded down, which is sufficient to fit a whole bicycle without removing the wheels. Numerous storage compartments, typical of the brand, facilitate daily life, such as the net under the cargo cover for storing charging cables. We’ve already told you that Skoda is “Simply Clever.”

In summary, the Elroq RS remains true to Skoda's DNA: comfortably accommodating the whole family, even in a version that aims to be sportier.

Power, Battery, and Charging

Under the hood, or rather under the floor, this RS version stands out with a technical configuration specific to this variant (at least within the Elroq range). The RS version uses the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform but features two electric motors, one on each axle, for a combined power output of 340 horsepower. The torque is distributed between the front (134 Nm) and rear (545 Nm), ensuring optimal traction in all conditions, particularly on snow. The result: a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds, making the Elroq RS the fastest Skoda ever produced.

The setup relies on an 84 kWh gross battery, of which 79 kWh is actually usable. This capacity, slightly higher than that of the Elroq 85, allows for a WLTP mixed range of 550 km. The measured consumption hovers around 19 kWh/100 km, a reasonable figure for an electric SUV weighing over two tons, suggesting about 400 km of range in mixed use; we must admit we used the accelerator a bit more than necessary.

In terms of charging, the Elroq RS benefits from slightly higher power than other versions. On direct current, it accepts up to 185 kW, compared to 175 kW for the standard variants. This allows it to charge from 10 to 80% in just 26 minutes at a fast charging station. On alternating current, the limit remains at 11 kW, sufficient for a full overnight charge at an appropriate home charging station. It’s worth noting that the heat pump remains an optional extra, an unexpected choice for a top-of-the-line version, especially since the Skoda Elroq sells well in Northern European countries; perhaps in those markets, the heat pump is included in certain trims, but in France, it must be added as an option… a pity.

Driving Experience: More Energetic than Playful

Behind the wheel, the Elroq RS confirms its dual personality. The first few kilometers reveal a quiet and comfortable SUV, true to the spirit of the range. But soon, the specific suspension makes its presence felt: the lowered and stiffened chassis makes the car more responsive but also firmer. The large 21-inch wheels accentuate this feeling.

The DCC adaptive damping, standard equipment, allows for modulation of this stiffness. In comfort mode, filtering improves, but without reaching the suppleness of a classic Elroq. However, during spirited driving, the handling is reassuring. Traction is excellent, body movements are well contained, and high-speed stability is remarkable. The downside is a steering feel that lacks feedback and a braking system whose consistency is not always optimal, a common flaw in electric vehicles.

The power translates into brisk accelerations and immediate responsiveness. With the pedal to the metal, the thrust is constant, linear, allowing for impressive times. But the experience remains subdued: the Elroq RS impresses with its efficiency but doesn’t evoke any particular emotion. It’s not a pure sports car; rather, it’s a family SUV that knows how to accelerate strongly when asked. To seek a bit more thrill, one would need to look towards models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but the price tag is significantly higher.

In daily life, the Elroq RS has all the qualities of the Elroq: spacious, quiet, easy to live with—what more could you ask for? Especially since this version benefits from additional dynamism due to its powertrain and technical choices, without compromising comfort. During the test, Skoda prepared an agility course with the Elroq RS; we must admit that the Czech SUV surprised us again with its agility for a vehicle measuring 4.48 m.

Conclusion and Pricing

The Skoda Elroq RS exemplifies the brand's strategy: to offer an electric SUV capable of appealing to families while providing a spicier version for those seeking extra dynamism. Its more assertive style, spacious and practical interior, and solid technical specifications make it a coherent model and a perfect compromise. Its performance is enhanced, and its range remains acceptable despite the power.

Priced from €50,230, it is significantly above an Elroq 85 Sportline (€45,720 before incentives), but partly justifies this gap with its all-wheel drive and rich equipment. A substantial price, but one that corresponds to a clear step up in quality by Skoda.