Skoda Enyaq iV vRS Review 2024
Written by Lawrence Allan
Quick overview
Pros
- Still very refined and practical
- Gets lots of standard equipment
- Handles a tiny bit better than standard Enyaq iV
Cons
- Nowhere near as fast or fun as you'd hope for a sporty EV
- Premium pricing for a Skoda
- Really doesn't offer much over high-spec regular Enyaq iV
Overall verdict on the Skoda Enyaq vRS iV
"Just as the Enyaq was Skoda's first foray into the mass-market electric car, the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is its first attempt to make a battery-powered sporting model. With more power, tweaked suspension and subtle visual changes inside and out, the recipe for a fast electric SUV is compelling. But is it any good? "
Making an electric car go faster isn't that hard - you just turn up the wick on the electric motors a bit. Making an electric car that looks and feels sporty is a bit more difficult, however, what with the significant extra weight and smooth, silent propulsion compared with a petrol or diesel car.
Skoda has had a couple of decades of experience with performance variants through its popular vRS division. While there's no longer a vRS version of the Fabia supermini you can still get the brilliantly do-all Skoda Octavia vRS and the slightly oddball Kodiaq vRS. Both offer strong performance from meaty turbo petrol engines (previously diesel on the Kodiaq), racier looks and tidy handling.
But Skoda, like other VW Group brands, is pushing for an electric future. The Skoda Enyaq iV is one of our favourite electric SUVs and is selling strongly, so it's only natural that the brand would want to add an appealing (and more profitable) range-topping variant. Enter the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS, first available as a hot version of the Enyaq Coupe and then in regular form later in 2023.
Normally a performance variant (like BMW M and Audi RS) is festooned with badges shouting about it, but if you approach the Enyaq iV vRS from the rear you won't notice anything different over a Sportline trim level. It's only the badging on the front wings that marks it out, but when you get round the front there is the controversial 'Crystal Face' - an LED backlit grille - which is standard on the vRS.
While that might not be to all tastes we like the interior additions, including sports seats and carbon (or Alcantara in some markets) dash trim. It's not drastically different from the regular Skoda Enyaq iV, though, which means it's comfortable, solidly built and impressively spacious, with a big boot even on the Coupe.
Let's get to the meat of the matter, though: what's different under the skin? Well the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS puts out up to 299PS (we'll explain 'up to' in the driving section later), which is 34PS up on the previous most powerful Enyaq. You also get all-wheel drive, lowered suspension and upgraded steering.
We're not talking drastic changes, then, and that shows when you drive it. The Enyaq iV vRS is a bit faster than the Enyaq 80x, yes, but you'll be hard pressed to really notice that performance jump on the road unless you drive them back-to-back. Even then, sporty electric SUVs like the Kia EV6 AWD feel noticeably faster still.
That relative lack of excitement is echoed in the handling, too, which is largely predictable and composed but not particularly fun at any point despite those suspension tweaks. It's hard to escape the feeling that the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is merely a high-end trim level rather than a dedicated sporty model in its own right - something which the Octavia vRS definitely feels like.
At least opting for the vRS doesn't kill the car's electric range, with both regular and Coupe models managing an official range of over 300 miles. You get pretty quick charging, too, although it's not class-leading in that respect.
With both versions priced over £50,000 you might well baulk, but that price is broadly competitive with rivals. Even so, it's hard to escape the feeling that there's a much better all-rounder lower down the Skoda Enyaq's range. It's a brilliant electric car, just not in this form.
What's the best Skoda Enyaq iV vRS model/engine to choose?
The only choice you'll have to make when weighing up the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is whether to buy the Coupe or the regular model. The Coupe was made available to order first, with the regular car arriving in mid-January 2023.
For us, that's an easy choice to make. Not only is the Coupe more expensive to buy, it's also a little bit less practical and harder to see out of when looking behind you. Couple that with the fact that (to this tester's eyes) it doesn't actually look as cohesive as the regular car and we really don't see the point.
As for colour, the launch hue (as you can tell from the images) is the rather bold Hyper Green. Great if you want to stand out, terrible if you like to pass under the radar. Thankfully a range of less out-there colours can be had.
What other cars are similar to the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS?
By turning the Skoda Enyaq iV into a vRS model the list of key rivals changes a bit, moving away from 'normal' electric SUVs into models with a bit of a sporting bent.
Probably its main competitor is the Kia EV6, which is sportier and more dynamic-looking than the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Another key challenger is the Polestar 2, which isn't as roomy but is fast and stylish, while the Ford Mustang Mach-e definitely gets a look in.
VW's own ID.4 and ID.5 GTX are also largely identical underneath to the Enyaq iV vRS. Meanwhile buyers looking for a more premium sporting EV should head towards the Jaguar I-Pace or BMW iX3.
Also worth considering are the even faster but more expensive Volvo C40 Recharge Twin and Tesla Model Y.
Comfort and design: Skoda Enyaq iV vRS interior
"The Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is broadly the same as the standard Enyaq inside, but you do get some nicer upholstery and finishes."
The cabin of the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS (and the Coupe) comes with what's called the 'vRS Suite Design Selection'. It sounds like something from Ikea, but it basically means carbon effect inserts on the dash, aluminium pedals and perforated leather sports seats. There's also a slightly sportier three-spoke steering wheel.
Depending on your market, other European countries get the option of an Alcantara dash and green stitching, and it's a shame this isn't offered in countries such as the UK because it feels and looks a bit more special. As with the regular car, the design is relatively attractive and the layout is easy to get on with.
Sports seats with integrated headrests are standard fitment, but you already get those (albeit in a less racy upholstery) in the Enyaq Sportline. They're comfortable and widely adjustable, however. It's easy to find an ideal driving position with plenty of wheel adjustment, too, while visibility up front is good thanks to a low windscreen bottom.
It's worth bearing in mind that visibility out the back of the vRS Coupe is restricted by the rake and size of the rear screen. If having a good view out the back is important we'd go for the regular model.
Quality and finish
The regular Skoda Enyaq is already a pretty solid base quality-wise, somewhat showing up its pricier VW sibling and offering generally excellent fit-and-finish.
Plumping for the vRS model adds the aforementioned posher trims along the dash and doors, plus nicer seats, which helps lift things a bit. Other than this and the occasional vRS badge it's not drastically different, however.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS
Every Skoda Enyaq vRS comes equipped with a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system, just like the standard Enyaq. As well as standard sat-nav there is DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as you'd expect at this price point.
It's easy to operate with quick responses to jabs of the finger, while its graphics are typical Volkswagen Group smart. It's not perfect, though – we noticed that its position means it does seem to attract reflections on a sunny day, while having the climate control functions within the screen is more fiddly on the move than physical controls.
At least the temperature and fan section is always at the bottom of the screen, and it's much less awkward to use than the VW ID.4 and ID.5's silly haptic sliders below the screen. You also get a handful of physical shortcut buttons on a plinth below the screen.
All Skoda Enyaq models get a digital display rather than conventional dials. This is functional rather than fancy, with a rather small display relative to some rivals.
A head-up display system is available as part of the Advanced Package. This projects key data like your current speed and navigation directions into your field of view – useful, but not at £2,335 unless you want the heated rear seats and heated windscreen that also come in this package.
Space and practicality: Skoda Enyaq iV vRS boot space
There's no real difference between the regular Skoda Enyaq and the Enyaq vRS here, although there's a slightly practicality disadvantage if you go for the Coupe version.
Space and practicality is always a Skoda forte, and the Enyaq is a pleasingly spacious car all-round. Head and leg space up front is generous even if you're over six foot, and the interior is nice and wide to keep you from bumping arms with the passenger. Storage throughout is good, too.
In the rear, too, things are largely excellent, and again two burly adults can get plenty comfortable here. There's enough width for three to tackle short journeys, too, although the middle seat's legroom is slightly compromised by the front centre console which juts out. The only disappointment is that, despite being not far off the size of the Skoda Kodiaq, there's no seven-seat version available.
It's in the back where the differences for the Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV vRS come to the fore, because there is a fraction less headroom in the rear of the Coupe due to that sloping roofline. It's really not drastic, however, so only the extremely tall will notice.
The Skoda Enyaq iV vRS's 585-litre boot capacity is very large even for an SUV, meaning this is a class-leading family SUV for outright space. Bear in mind that the Enyaq Coupe loses 15 litres of space due to the reshaped rear, but it's minor. Fold the rear seats down and there's a vast space for a bike or similar.
In terms of exterior dimensions the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is pretty identical to the standard car, at 4649mm long, 1879mm wide excluding mirrors and 1605mm tall (slightly lower due to the dropped suspension).
Handling and ride quality: What is the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS like to drive?
"Skoda has given the Enyaq iV vRS lowered suspension and revised steering, which should make it feel noticeably keener in the bends. But does it?"
Compared to the regular Skoda Enyaq iV the vRS model sits 15mm lower at the front and 10mm lower at the back than the standard Enyaq, thanks to revised suspension. This should reduce how much the body rolls around in corners and enhance agility.
There's also progressive steering fitted as standard, which aims to make it more direct and stable at high speeds and easier to twirl around town at low speeds. Adaptive dampers (that make the ride softer or firmer depending on drive mode) are optional but weren't fitted to our early production test car for reasons that weren't explained.
Sounds like a recipe for more fun, yes? In practice we're not so sure. Yes, there is a touch less body lean when you really attack a series of corners, but it's not significantly more agile than a Skoda Enyaq Sportline. You do get a Sport mode for the stability control (another vRS-specific feature) which gives it a bit of a rear-wheel drive feel, but it's not that noticeable.
In fact, in our damp, cold conditions on very twisty Spanish roads grip levels at the front were the main issue. Whether it was the road surface itself or the fairly ordinary Bridgestone tyres, even moderate cornering speed saw the wash wide a surprising amount. We suspect that wouldn't be an issue on a drier day.
The steering is pretty direct and nicely weighted (albeit numb), but then progressive steering is also standard on a regular Enyaq Sportline, which also gets slightly sportier suspension than a normal Enyaq. Really, the vRS doesn't feel much different than that car, even driven back-to-back. Is it sporty? Not really, if we're honest, regardless of which of the multiple drive modes you have it in. A Kia EV6 or Polestar 2 feels a fair bit more lively.
The upside is that the ride isn't really any worse than a regular high-spec Enyaq. Sure, the bigger wheels thump about a bit over rough tarmac, but it's generally pretty smooth and plenty comfortable enough on the motorway. The brake pedal feel isn't an issue either - sometimes in electric cars or hybrids it can be tricky to judge.
What motors and batteries are available in the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS?
There's only one engine (and no gearbox to speak of) in the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS. With dual motors giving it four-wheel drive, the power output is 299PS, with 460Nm of torque.
That sounds like plenty, but when you consider than the Enyaq weighs well over two tonnes it's not a vast reserve. And even then Skoda is cheating a bit, with that full power only available for 30 seconds as a 'boost' function. You won't get that full figure with a low battery charge, either.
Still, 30 seconds is plenty for most situations, and because it's an EV the power is instantly available as soon as you stomp on the throttle. 0-62mph comes up in a perky-enough 6.5 seconds, and although it tails off after that point it's hardly slow, and will dispatch an overtake with ease. Off-the-line you aren't plagued by wheelspin either due to that four-wheel drive.
The problem is that we've come to expect this kind of acceleration from all electric cars, so the performance models have to deliver more. By comparison cars like the Kia EV6 AWD and Polestar 2 Dual Motor put out noticeably more power, with 0-62mph coming up in about five seconds or less. They both feel considerably faster, so if you want that laugh-out-loud acceleration then the Skoda won't be for you.
Maximum electric range in the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS
Extra performance always comes at a price, and in electric cars it's usually range. The Enyaq iV vRS is also four-wheel drive which has an impact too.
Happily, the drop compared to the regular Enyaq isn't too steep at all. As standard it gets an 80kWh battery (77kWh of that is usable), translating to an official WLTP range of 321 miles. Realistically that probably translates to 250-300 miles of range depending on where you're driving it - it'll be less efficient on a motorway.
There's a little bonus if you go for the Enyaq Coupe iV vRS, which officially does 323 miles on a charge because its body shape cuts through the air more cleanly. That's hardly a deal-breaker, but every little helps.
We're not sure why or how, but Skoda quotes a range of only 317 miles for the slightly less powerful Enyaq iV 80x Sportline Plus, which also has four-wheel drive.
Refinement and noise levels
The Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is as refined and smooth as you'd expect any electric car to be. There's no rumble of an engine, no whine or jerk of gears and a generally relaxing demeanour.
And that's great in a regular family SUV, but it doesn't really help the case of the vRS in being a performance model aimed more at enthusiasts. The lack of any sound or sensation beyond the outright acceleration (which is hardly neck-snapping) means it isn't exactly engaging for the keen driver. Some may disagree, but we'd actually like some kind of synthesised noise as you accelerate like some rivals have - it at least gives you something to titivate the senses.
Still, the benefit of Skoda not fitting rock-hard suspension to the Enyaq iV vRS means it's pretty much as refined as the standard car. That means a small amount of wind noise on the motorway, while there's some tyre roar as to be expected with large wheels and no engine note to disguise it.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS?
Standard safety equipment in the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS (as with any Enyaq) includes front side airbags and curtain airbags, driver and front passenger airbags with passenger airbag deactivation, lane assist and front assist with assisted automatic braking. There are Isofix child seat points on the front passenger seat and outer rear seats. Rear side airbags are available as an optional extra.
Also included on this range-topping model is blind spot detection, Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition and Crew Protect Assist, which quickly prepares the car in the event of a serious imminent crash or rollover.
The Enyaq has been awarded a five star safety rating by Euro NCAP as a result, with strong scores across the board.
Charging times: How much does it cost to charge the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS?
Skoda recently cranked up the maximum charging speed of all Enyaqs, meaning the Enyaq iV vRS is capable of up to 135kW speeds from a suitable charger.
That 135kW speed (up from 125kWs on older Skoda Enyaq 80s) allows an 80% battery top-up in just under 30 minutes. That's on paper at least, but in reality charging speeds can vary significantly depending on conditions and the charger itself.
Rapid charging such as this is also quite expensive at the time of writing, with many costing 65p per kWh (or more in some places). Do the sums and that 80% charge will cost nearly £40 - vastly more than home charging and, given the range it adds, not far off the cost of fuelling an equivalent petrol or diesel model.
It's worth investing in a home wallbox for overnight charging. A 7kW unit will fully charge the Enyaq iV 60 in nine and a half hours, while the Enyaq iV 80 will be charged in 13 hours. Depending on your electricity rate, you can expect to pay around £10-15 to fully charge an Enyaq iV 60 at home, and £15-18 to top up an Enyaq iV 80 to max.
How reliable is a Skoda Enyaq iV vRS?
The Skoda Enyaq iV is still a very new model, but we've had very few reports of issues from owners. It seems to be proving more reliable than the Volkswagen ID.3 – a car that was seemingly hurried into showrooms and plagued with software gremlins.
Skoda as a brand performed fairly well in the 2022 HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, but has finished much higher in previous years. It's now sitting just above the middle ground of brands listed in the survey, in 13th place.
Insurance groups and costs
Skoda has only revealed insurance groups for the Enyaq Coupe iV vRS, which sits in group 36. While that's not drastically high for a sporting model its noticeably more than a regular Enyaq iV 80 SportLine, which sits in insurance group 27.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Skoda Enyaq iV vRS?
Pure-electric cars like the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS are currently exempt from road tax. That means you won't pay anything in tax for the Enyaq iV, at least until 2025 when the rules are set to change.
How much should you be paying for a used Skoda Enyaq iV vRS?
"You pay a decent premium for the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS over the standard model, and we're not totally sure it's worth it."
At the time of writing the only Skoda Enyaq iV vRS available to order is the Coupe version, which is priced from £54,370. From mid-January 2023 the regular-bodied Enyaq vRS is available from £52,670. We can't see why anyone would pay the extra for the coupe, to be honest.
That's a fairly steep price for any Skoda, even an electric one. And especially when you consider the Enyaq starts at under £39k. Though that price jump is easier to swallow when you think the previous range-topper, the 80x SportLine Plus, is £51,765.
That price also sits squarely next to the faster and nicer-driving Kia EV6 AWD, however, while being similar to an entry-level Ford Mustang Mach-e and pricier than the much faster dual-motor Polestar 2. Both the latter cars have a more premium air about them, too.
Don't expect to see any used bargains with the Enyaq vRS for a while, as it only launched in early 2023.
Trim levels and standard equipment
You get a good amount of standard equipment with the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS, making that the biggest reason to go for it.
Standard kit includes 20-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights with the 'Crystal Face' lit up grille, part leather trim with perforations, specific dash and steering wheel trim, an electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory and electric lumbar, heated front sport seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, sat-nav and digital dials, wireless phone charging, three-zone climate control and aluminium pedals.
Options include 21-inch alloys, an electrically retractable towbar, a head-up display, heated rear seats and a surround-view camera - although the latter is part of the pricey £4,280 'Maxx' package.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
How much does the Skoda Enyaq iV cost?
What is the real range of the Skoda Enyaq iV?
Is the Skoda Enyaq bigger than the Kodiaq?
What does Enyaq mean?
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