The Skoda Elroq RS is here, and it’s officially the fastest accelerating production Skoda ever made. With 335 horsepower, dual motors, and all-wheel drive, it certainly sounds impressive on paper. But in the increasingly crowded hot EV market of 2025, does it have enough to stand out? Let’s take a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- Performance: 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, dual motors, all-wheel drive.
- Range & Charging: Up to 550 km real-world range, 185 kW DC fast charging.
- Handling: Standard Dynamic Chassis Control (in Ireland), adjustable settings.
- Design: RS-specific styling, 21-inch alloys available, Mamba Green color.
- Practicality: 470L boot, clever interior storage, child-friendly features.
- Interior: Suede accents, RS seats, paddle shifters for regen control, head-up display option.
- Driving Feel: Comfortable ride, but some might miss a more "raw" or exciting RS feel.
A Sportier Skoda Elroq
If you’ve seen the regular Elroq, you’ll know it’s been a big hit, even becoming Europe’s best-selling electric car in April. Now, Skoda is adding some spice with the RS version. In Ireland, the Sport Line model is already around €50,000, and this RS version bumps that up to about €54,000 after grants. The question is, does the extra cost bring enough to justify it over the Sport Line, especially since this RS model comes with more standard features?
Up front, the RS gets standard matrix headlights and more black trim pieces, including a sportier design on the lower bumper. It also features the updated tech face seen on the revised Enyaq. For the Irish market, a big plus is that Dynamic Chassis Control comes standard, which is a good reason to consider skipping the Sport Line and going straight for the RS.
This particular car is in Mamba Green, a striking color. While a matte grey is available, it wasn’t an option in Ireland at the time of filming due to extra pack costs pushing it over grant thresholds. So, Mamba Green might be the way to go if you want to turn heads.
On the sides, you’ll notice the 21-inch alloy wheels, which are optional. Standard Irish cars get black 20-inch rims. The RS also gets black mirror housings and roof rails, giving it that distinct RS look. Unlike the Enyaq RS, the Elroq RS has harder plastic trim lower down, but it still features a reflective light strip that looks quite good, especially in a matte finish.
Power, Range, and Charging
The battery in the RS is slightly larger than the standard long-range model, offering 84 kWh gross (79 kWh usable). It also boasts the fastest charging speed of any Skoda, hitting 185 kW DC fast charging. This means you can expect to go from 10% to 80% charge in about 26 minutes. The official range is nearly 550 km, which is pretty solid for an EV.
Practicality and Interior Comfort
Inside, the Elroq RS doesn’t skimp on practicality. You still get a generous 470-liter boot, and there’s a handy net under the parcel shelf for storing charging cables – useful since there’s no frunk. Skoda’s clever interior storage solutions, like the shelving units on the sides, are still present and very useful.
Rear passenger space is excellent, with plenty of legroom and knee room. The seats have green piping that matches the exterior color if you choose Mamba Green. ISOFIX points are on both outer rear seats, and there’s an armrest with cup holders. Higher-spec versions, like this one, include rear climate control and USB-C charging ports. A nice touch for families are the factory-fitted sun protection blinds for the rear windows.
While the tops of the rear doors are hard plastic (a common trait in VW Group cars), the overall interior feels well-put-together. The RS version adds green stitching, carbon fiber-effect trim, and plenty of suede on the seats and dashboard. This car also has the optional head-up display. The three-spoke steering wheel features RS lettering and paddle shifters, allowing you to manually control the regenerative braking. While there’s no one-pedal driving yet, the automatic regen works in the background.
The RS seats are wide and supportive, with options for massaging and electric adjustment. Physical buttons for shortcuts like climate control and drive modes are conveniently located. The Dynamic Chassis Control can be adjusted via the infotainment system, offering settings from a comfortable, slightly floaty ride to a firmer sport mode. For a car with this much power, the suspension handles it well, providing a very comfortable experience.
Driving Impressions
Skoda has a history with its RS models, with the Octavia RS selling over 350,000 units and the Enyaq RS selling over 20,000. There’s clearly a demand for these sportier versions. The Elroq RS offers more towing capacity and better grip thanks to its all-wheel drive system.
The steering feels nicely balanced with good weight and some feedback. However, like many cars on the MEB platform, the brake pedal feel could be sharper. When accelerating hard, the car remains stable with minimal pitching. The suspension, especially in the normal to sport settings, feels just right – firm enough to handle the power without being too harsh.
In many ways, it drives like a more powerful, all-wheel-drive version of the standard Elroq. The biggest difference for many might be the aesthetics and the interior upgrades. While it’s predictable and safe, some might find it lacks the raw excitement or "party trick" feel that some other performance EVs offer. Competitors like the Alpine A290, while not directly comparable in size, have managed to create a more engaging driving experience.
If you’re looking for a car with great looks, a more exclusive feel, straight-line power, and good handling, the Elroq RS delivers. However, if you’re expecting a dramatically different, more thrilling experience compared to the Enyaq RS, you might be a little underwhelmed. Skoda needs to keep pushing the boundaries to truly capture the essence of an "RS" in the EV era.
Efficiency and Charging Options
For a powerful, all-wheel-drive EV, the efficiency isn’t too bad. In cooler temperatures (around 13-15°C), it’s achieving about 19.9 kWh per 100 km, which is a bit more than the standard Elroq’s 16-17 kWh, but understandable given the extra power. The faster charging is a definite plus when you’re on the go.
Skoda also offers a "Power Pass" through a deal with Ionity. For a monthly fee, you can get discounted charging rates at Ionity stations, which could be a good option for those who do a lot of long-distance driving.
Final Thoughts
The Skoda Elroq RS is a strong contender, especially when you consider what you get as standard compared to the Sport Line. All-wheel drive, faster charging, matrix headlights, and dynamic chassis control are all significant advantages. It’s quick in a straight line and has plenty of grip.
However, it does feel like it’s missing a bit of that raw, exciting character that’s starting to appear in other electric cars. While it’s a very competent and comfortable performance EV, it might not deliver the full "RS magic" some buyers are looking for. It’s good, but for the future, Skoda needs to inject a bit more specialness into its RS electric models to truly stand out.