Skoda Elroq vRS (2024 - )

When Skoda unveiled its second electric car at a glitzy riverside event in Prague, it was billed as a vitally important model for the Czech carmaker. The vehicle was the Elroq and it was met with much acclaim. But now, the stakes have been raised with a high-performance, all-wheel drive vRS version that boasts a 0-62mph sprint time of just 5.4 seconds.

The Elroq is a five-door hatchback that is sold in trims called SE L, Edition and SportLine with a choice of batteries – the Elroq 60 features the 63kWh unit, while the Elroq 85 has the larger 82kWh pack. Power outputs range from 204 to 286PS on these models and they can deliver up to 350 miles on a single charge.

However, the Elroq vRS boasts an 84kWh battery with 340PS via a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. If you need further proof this car is a little bit special, it’s Skoda’s fastest ever production car.

The Skoda Elroq vRS features a large 84kWh battery – the biggest in the Elroq line-up – with 340PS. The front electric motor delivers 134Nm and the rear adds 545Nm, meaning the 0-62mph sprint can be completed in just 5.4 seconds, while the top speed is 111mph and the range between charges is a WLTP-tested 339 miles.

The all-wheel drive Elroq vRS is certainly quick off the line and boasts ample zip to overtake slower moving vehicles or join a motorway from a slip road without any concerns. It reaches motorway cruising speeds in the blink of an eye and, when faced with twisting B roads, delivers a confident and balanced performance no matter how enthusiastically bends are attacked.

The progressive Dynamic Steering factors in the vRS chassis and helps produce an engaging performance but, at times, the car feels a little heavy and dare we say, a tad too sensible.

In busier town centres, it’s agile and easy to manoeuvre through the crowds and the B mode strengthens the braking when you lift off the accelerator. Elsewhere, the steering wheel mounted paddles can be used to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking and there are drive modes called Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Traction and Individual that change the driving characteristics considerably.

Refinement levels impress with a well-insulated cabin protecting occupants from any outside noise and the excellent suspension set-up smoothing out bumps and dips along the way too.

If you’re going to develop your fastest ever production car, it needs to look the part too. And, the Elroq vRS boasts plenty of model-specific styling cues to help it stand out. The designers have taken the five-door family car and given it the full vRS treatment with new bumpers, black roof rails, full LED Matrix headlights with signature lighting that also includes a string of smaller LEDs across the bonnet creating an eye-lash effect.

There is rear privacy glass, 20-inch black alloy wheels and an illuminated Tech-Deck Face – this is Skoda’s name for the panel replacing a traditional grille and it’s where the safety sensors, radar and cameras are tucked away. We should also mention our test car’s Matt Grey paintwork that looked really menacing.

Moving inside, expect plenty of vRS badging and a combination of microsuede and premium artificial leather upholstery. The colour scheme is predominantly black, but neat lime green stitching to the seats, dashboard, steering wheel and doors helps lift the mood.

The powered sports seats with integrated headrests are super-comfy and, can be heated or ventilated. They even have a massage function which is always appreciated on longer journeys, as is the heated steering wheel option on colder days.

There are soft-touch surfaces, high-end fixtures and fittings and a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen that offers access to the wealth of on-board creature comforts. There is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, full navigation, a 13-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, DAB radio, and lots more besides. Quick keys make it easy to find functions such as the drive modes and climate settings and there is a voice activated assistant to help with tasks too.

Behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel is a compact screen clearly displaying the speed and driving range, and our car featured a head-up display too.

The Skoda Elroq vRS covers practicality demands really well. It is 4,888mm in length, 2,148mm wide (including door mirrors), 1,637mm tall and has a 2,769mm wheelbase. And those numbers translate into a spacious cabin with room for all the family as well as plenty of luggage.

A couple of tall adults can sit comfortably up front, with two more in the back, or three youngsters. The boot features a powered tailgate with kick sensor so it can be opened hands-free by waving your foot beneath the rear bumper. This is really useful if you’re carrying lots of shopping bags and saves scrambling for keys.

The boot can swallow 470 litres of kit, a capacity that can be easily increased to 1,580 litres by lowering the 60:40 split-folding rear seats. The variable boot floor means it can be lowered for a flat loading area which is ideal if transporting heavy goods, and there are pockets and elasticated straps to prevent items rolling around.

Additionally, there are numerous storage compartments throughout the car. In the back, a temporary storage box is centrally positioned on the floor. This can hold all manner of goodies and is easily removed if the middle seat is occupied. Elsewhere, there is a glovebox, door bins, a central cubby, a large storage are beneath the centre console, front and rear cup holders, seat back pockets a wireless charging pad and some trays.

And expect to find some Skoda Simply Clever features, such as an umbrella tucked into the driver’s door.

When it comes to charging, the 84kWh battery on the Elroq vRS takes approximately 12 hours to fully charge from a home wallbox, but is capable of taking a 185kW rapid charge which will be completed to 80 per cent in about 26 minutes.

The entry-level Elroq SE L model with the compact 63kWh battery costs from £33,560. At the other end of the scale the Elroq vRS, as tested, has a price-tag of £46,560. And while every other Elroq model benefits from the government’s Electric Car Grant so buyers receive a £1,500 discount, the vRS is not eligible due to its larger battery and asking price that exceeds the £37,000 threshold.

Additionally, owners will face the government Expensive Car Supplement which is introduced on all vehicles, including EVs, that cost over £40k. This will add an extra £425 to the annual tax costs from years two to six.

The road tax bill is just £10 for the first year, rising to the standard charge of £195 after 12 months, and the Benefit in Kind tax rating for business drivers is an attractive three per cent (four per cent from April, 2026).

There are numerous ways owners can personalise their car via optional extras and packs. Our vRS model featured the distinctive Matt Grey paint along with a Maxx Package that introduced a number of features such as the head-up display, upgraded Canton sound system and park assist with remote parking. The final check-out cost was £49,260.

Skoda does have an impressive reputation for reliability, but for added peace of mind, the Elroq vRS comes with a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty that is increased to eight years or 100,000 miles for the battery.

The Skoda Elroq is a great car in its own right, but add the firepower that the vRS brings to the mix and it really raises the bar. The only problem that Skoda faces is it will appeal to quite a niche market. And that smaller minority of buyers will also be checking out the Hyundai Ioniq 5N, which is brutally fast and more engaging to drive.

That said; the Elroq vRS covers all bases really well. It looks dynamic without being too aggressive, is packed with high-end technology and delivers on the performance front too.

And if owners really want to stand out, the car is sold in an exclusive Hyper Green colour, which could probably be spotted from outer space.