Skoda Enyaq iV

All-original from the ground-up and not based on an existing Skoda model, the first-ever Skoda Enyaq iV electric crossover marks a fresh new chapter for the Czech carmaker as they begin their pursuit for electrification like every other carmaker doing their share in the new normal. Let's take a quick dive into what is known to be the Czech cousin of the Volkswagen ID.4.

2022 Skoda Enyaq iV

With prices begin at 1,089,900 Koruna plus additional costs, the Enyaq iV is similarly priced to its Volkswagen ID.4 cousin it was based on and when you compare these two electric crossovers, you can feel a slight difference between them except for the fact that it can go more than its original counterpart.

2022 Skoda Enyaq iV

But first, let's examine the design of the Enyaq from top to bottom. Being an SUV, most people would believe that it show bear some chunky hunk of beef like most heavyweight SUVs these days but for the Enyaq, it doesn't. It bears clean and sharp lines as well as its "Simply Clever" looks that show proof that it's a Skoda. From its faux grille, sharp headlights, side view similar to the Karoq, and the Stelvio-esque rearview, the Enyaq iV really takes shape and when compared to the VW ID.4, it's better-looking of course.

2022 Skoda Enyaq iV interior

2022 Skoda Enyaq iV interior

Because being high-tech is what the Enyaq iV is made for, the interior suffers the same minimalist problem as its ID.4 cousin and for speedo boys behind the wheel, this is agony city because they will find themselves struggling to adjust the volume as well as the air-con because of the touchscreen that serves as the root of all problems surrounding the Enyaq's interior. Agonizing the minimalist interior layout is, the spacing is where the Enyaq excelled from its VW counterpart. While it is shorter than the ID.4, the Enyaq is wider and has more boot space than its VW counterpart, so it's no surprise that this similarly priced electric crossover can edge its cousin out in terms of practicality despite the expense of height and wheelbase between them.

2022 Skoda Enyaq iV

At default, the Enyaq iV is a rear-wheel-drive crossover with an electric motor on the back, a layout similar to the Porsche 911. With such a layout, the Enyaq iV behaves in a spartan kind of way. Mild and tangy if you may. Add an all-wheel-drive variant to this crossover and it still bears that spartan driving manner. Not quite fun by crossover standards but it's getting somewhere.

The 60 and 80 are the available variants at launch with the entry-level 50 and the vRS variant coming soon. The 80 is the top pick of the Enyaq in its rear-wheel-drive variant, it has a range of 534km, but on the 80X variant, it has a 0-100kph time of 6.9 seconds. Although not a hot hatch as such, its performance levels feel like it. But let's leave it anyway because being an electric crossover that is in tune with the new normal, the Enyaq iV boasts a wide array of safety tech features including Proactive Crew Protect Assist and Travel Assist, not to mention the parking assistance included in the Enyaq.

Although not suitable for speedo boys behind the wheel because of the technology it bears that is both a blessing and a curse for those behind the wheel, the first-ever Skoda Enyaq iV is designed and built for the normal people who like an electric crossover that fits their new normal lives. It really is the vehicle built for the new normal and it really translates the "simply clever" slogan into action.

With such characteristics, the Enyaq iV heavily upsets the Volkswagen iD.4 in almost every way and because they're similarly priced, it's a one-sided choice that customers will have to think twice before owning one of these.

Photo: Skoda Auto