Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe RS

Launched last year, the first-ever Skoda Enyaq iV is an all-electric crossover that is more of a Czech equivalent of the WCOTY-winning Volkswagen ID.4. Now, let's say ahoj (Czech for hello) to the Enyaq iV Coupe RS, the Czech equivalent of, you guessed it, the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX.

2022 Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe RS

2022 Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe RS interior

Priced at 1,559,900 Kč plus additional costs, the Enyaq iV Coupe RS is more expensive to own than its ID.5 GTX equivalent, despite the fact that both of these juiced-up electric coupe crossovers belonged to the same Volkswagen Group family tree. Needless to say, the Enyaq iV Coupe RS is the only Enyaq iV Coupe you can buy at this moment in time.

To differentiate the coupe version from its normal equivalent, the Enyaq iV Coupe RS features a coupe-like silhouette unheard for a Skoda crossover, something that was learned from the Germans because the Germans first introduced the motoring world to the coupe utility vehicle with the original BMW X6, which shocked speedo boys when it was first launched. Anyway, this is smaller than the X6 but it's bigger than the ID.5 GTX, meaning there will be concerns about how to drive it on European roads because of its sizing and width that claimed to be too big on European roads. Still, the aggressive front view looks rather impressive for an electric car.

Although the Enyaq iV Coupe RS still possesses the minimalist dashboard and seating for five, just like the normal Enyaq, it's been given RS sports seats to give it a race car-inspired approach when drivers tucked in and go for a twirl. Being a coupe, it's less spacious than its normal equivalent due to its sloping roofline but with the rear seats present, it's more spacious than the ID.5 GTX. Sadly, it's less spacious than the ID.5 GTX when the rear seats are folded down. Still, it's more than enough to tackle everyday activities.

Just like the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX, the Enyaq iV Coupe RS features a 77kW battery pack and two electric motors powering all four wheels, making it a 4WD electric crossover capable of handling through tarmac, gravel, and snow, despite the fact that the bulk of its powertrain gave it a mild driving feel. The electric powertrain produces 299PS of power and 310Nm of torque, capable of hitting a 0-100kph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 180kph. As for the driving range, the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe RS is good for 504km in one full charge and it will take up to 35 minutes to reach 80% when plugged into a 135kw charging outlet. At home, it will take about seven and a half hours.

The Enyaq iV Coupe RS, like its normal equivalent, boasts a wide array of safety tech features including Proactive Crew Protect Assist and Travel Assist, not to mention the parking assistance included as well.

So, what do you think? Despite being costlier to own and slightly slower than the ID.5 GTX, the Enyaq iV Coupe RS can go further than the ID.5 GTX and because of its sporty character, it's better looking as well. Guess the new normal doesn't feel normal with this one, huh?

Available colors: Modrá Energy, Zelená Mamba, Bílá Moon metalíza, Modrá Race metalíza, Stříbrná Brilliant metalíza, Černá Magic metalíza, Červená Velvet metalíza, Šedá Graphite metalíza, and Oranžová Phoenix metalíza.

Photo: Skoda Auto

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