Skoda Elroq vRS review

September 3, 2025 Matt Allan

Does the Skoda Elroq vRS live up to the performance history of its badge?

My colleague George has already sampled the Skoda Elroq vRS on its home turf in Czechia but I was keen to try it out on less forgiving Tarmac closer to home. Chuck in the words “Welsh rally stage” and I was completely sold on attending its UK launch.

Skoda’s choice of location for the first UK drives of the Elroq vRS was no accident. The vRS (RS in Europe) wing has its origins in rallying and the brand has enjoyed plenty of success from the 1970s right through to today.

While the race teams have secured glory on the toughest rally stages, the passenger arm has matched them, carving out a healthy chunk of sales for cars wearing the vRS badge, particularly in the UK. So it makes sense to be launching the latest vRS – the Elroq – in the famous surroundings of the Sweet Lamb rally complex.

It doesn’t make quite so much sense to be sending the very much road-focused Elroq family SUV out onto the stages but Skoda did it anyway, letting me loose at the wheel of both the Elroq vRS and the larger Enyaq vRS.

The rally stage is not the Elroq’s natural habitat

The chance to try the cars on an actual bit of rally trail was fun, but it’s clearly not the Elroq’s natural habitat, nor was it a particularly challenging route. It was still tough enough to prove that I’m no Elfyn Evans and that the vRS is no Fabia R5.

Better, then, to head onto the famous B roads that surround Sweet Lamb and see how the Elroq vRS fares in the real world.

The Elroq is the quickest Skoda yet, with a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds courtesy of its 355bhp two-motor setup. Sink the throttle and it certainly feels sprightly. The 402lb ft of torque is available instantly and punches the car forward with pace but without drama thanks to the smart all-wheel-drive system. There are a couple of fake external sounds that can be turned on or off, but they’re pretty unobtrusive and even without the false whoosh, you feel like you’re making progress. And whatever speed you’re doing, the motors are always willing to supply a little burst of extra pace.

Along with a power boost (it’s 53bhp more than the two-wheel-drive Elroq 85), the Elroq vRS has received a range of chassis tweaks. It’s been lowered 15mm at the front and 10mm at the back and equipped with 15-stage adaptive suspension as part of the standard-fit Dynamic Chassis Control package. It has also received a braking upgrade with more powerful pistons and bigger discs, plus a revised steering setup.

The Elroq vRS is quick but not as lively as some rivals

Combined, they’re intended to offer a more engaging and focused driving experience and they do, to some extent.

The Elroq vRS definitely feels quicker and nimbler than its more basic variants. On the tricky rural roads of Wales, it’s easy to settle into a fast flow over crests and dips and through bends ranging from wide curves to harsh hairpins. The power delivery and braking are well balanced and it feels composed on difficult surfaces.

However, it’s never quite as engaging as rivals such as the Abarth 600e or Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce. The Skoda’s steering has too much dead space just off centre that means a dulled driving experience. Body control is impressive, as is the ride comfort, but the suppleness of the chassis feels like it’s at the expense of a more dynamic edge.

At full tilt, the Elroq just isn’t as sharp or immediate as the Alfa or the cheaper Abarth. But it’s still a competent cross-country tool, and has the Italians beaten hands-down elsewhere.

For a start, its 79kWh battery offers up to 339 miles of range compared with their 200 miles. Charging of up to 185kW is also much quicker.

Also if you don’t want the neighbours to think you’re a yob, the Elroq is a lot subtler than the Abarth – as long as you avoid the wild Hyper Green paint. In other hues, the Elroq looks sharp and purposeful but not too lairy. The dark vRS badging, bigger wheels and enhanced body kit are enough to lend some presence but not be obnoxious.

Inside it takes a bigger step ahead. The Elroq strains the concept of a “compact SUV” at almost 4.5m long, but that does mean generous space for a family of four, and a 470-litre boot.

Subtle vRS element elevate the Elroq’s interior

It also means Skoda design and quality, which are markedly better than the Italians. The vRS gets superbly supportive heated semi-bucket seats finished in microsuede with lime green stitching. It also gets small vRS touches like the steering wheel badge and stainless steel pedals. Elsewhere, it matches the clean simple design of the rest of the Elroq range with a few shortcut buttons and a central 13-inch touchscreen. There’s also a slimline instrument display in the low-set dash, supported by an augmented reality head-up display.

As you’d expect from a £46,000 range-topper, equipment is generous, with almost every Elroq option as standard. However the bigger, pricier Enyaq gets even more tech and equipment.

The benefit of the Elroq over the Enyaq is that it’s a bit lighter, livelier and more fun. It’s also a good chunk cheaper, so if you can live with the smaller boot and some missing high-tech kit, it might be the one to go for.

Skoda Elroq vRS verdict

Like the Enyaq, the Elroq vRS continues the vRS tradition of offering something spacious, generously equipped and a little spicier than usual.

It’s not as sharp as its best rivals, but it is more fun than the regular Elroq. It feels like the car to have if you occasionally want something quick and capable but mostly want something well-built, comfortable and competent.