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Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
I piled my young family into the new Skoda Elroq EV. Here's how it fared with our chaos
It was an unusual premise for a car launch. Instead of spiriting journalists to some foreign shore, Skoda was to send us an example of its new electric SUV, the Elroq, to take to a launch event at Chewton Glen, a fancy hotel in the New Forest. 'Bring your family and as many of your four-legged friends as you can fit – everyone is welcome,' read the invitation. So it was that on a slightly fraught Friday evening, Mrs R, the two kids and Luther the black labrador cross, as well as all our luggage, were all stuffed into the Elroq that had arrived earlier that day – complete with roofbox. In a situation all too familiar to family trips, we were cutting it fine. We couldn't leave until after the four-year-old had finished school for the day. But we had to arrive in time to get the both kids fed and off to bed before the 16-month-old grew too tired and had a serious sense of humour failure in the middle of the posh hotel restaurant. Skoda must be pretty confident about the Elroq, because this is the sort of journey – indeed, the sort of weekend away – that really puts a family car to the test. And with the whole family on board, the Elroq would have nowhere to hide. Pros Plush, versatile interior Decent range and charging speeds Sensibly priced Cons Ride can be firm at lower speeds Boot not as big as it could be Not all that exciting to drive Roq and roll Put simply, the Elroq is a smaller version of the Enyaq. It sits on Volkswagen's now-ubiquitous EV 'skateboard' platform, as used in the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born. But this is an odd fish in the VW Group – longer and taller than the ID.3/Born twins and with a proper SUV bent, but also more compact than the ID.4 and Enyaq, which are much larger SUVs. Yet it's perfectly sized to take on the growing glut of Nissan Qashqai -sized EVs that seem to be finding favour with buyers. Which is all the more reason it's so odd that the Elroq is the only car of its size and shape on VW's line-up. However, Skoda's talent for niche-finding has been hot of late, and you can't help but feel the Elroq is one of those Goldilocks cars that feels neither too big, nor too small, but just the right size. Inside, there's enough passenger space that even with two occupied car seats, nobody feels cramped as we zip down the M3. Even with two bulky car seats in situ, there's still plenty of space for the younger family members – and their boxes of toys and books that sit in the rear footwells. Further forward, the endless supply of nooks and crannies to store keys, snacks, drinks bottles – and confiscated toys – proves a boon. Further back, luggage space in the Elroq isn't exactly poor – at 470 litres, it's about the same as in a Kia EV3 – but neither is it class-leading, given the Renault Scenic will give you far more. And if you have a large, genial, but slightly dopey dog to carry, well, you'll probably want to keep in mind that he'll take up most of the boot. Which is why the roofbox houses the rest of our luggage – including the pushchair – and there's one holdall stashed between the child seats in the middle row position. We don't face these sorts of compromises in our own family car, a Superb estate; with the boot split in two by a divider, there's usually room back there for the dog, the pram and most of the luggage, without resorting to a roofbox. Living it up But if you want a Superb, you can still buy a Superb. The Elroq is, to be fair, a very different kind of car. It feels more modern, too; in fact, it feels distinctly upmarket from within, with a lovely swathe of upholstery that spans the dashboard, providing a tactility that has you fighting off the temptation to caress it. As is the way these days, the dashboard is dominated by a large touchscreen that sits atop it. This is based on Volkswagen's oft-derided software, which has been improved several times in recent years, in the process going from teeth-grindingly frustrating to merely tolerable. It's at its best with this Skoda skin on it; while there are still some glitches that cause you to have to stifle a wail, it generally works OK. It is a shame, though, that having gone to the trouble to develop its excellent Smart Dials for the Superb and Kodiaq, which allow for physical control of the heating and ventilation, Skoda hasn't brought them to the Elroq. That feels like an opportunity missed. We arrive at the hotel as darkness falls, still feeling slightly stressed – though that's no fault of the cars. Hold-ups on the motorway mean we're late for our dinner reservation and arrive with tired, hungry children in the back. What's impressive, however, is how efficient the Elroq has been. It has actually managed an official energy efficiency of 3.4 miles per kilowatt hour (mpkWh) according to the trip computer, versus an official figure of 3.9 – not bad when you consider it's fully laden and carries the additional drag of a roofbox. We are trying the 59kWh (usable) model, badged 60, which is the smaller of the two batteries on offer, with an official range of 265 miles. A 77kWh (usable) model, badged 85, has an official rating of 360 miles. Expect to see real-world ranges of between 180 and 212 miles for the former and 252 and 288 miles for the latter. After a drive of just over 100 miles, we have 45 per cent of the battery remaining, which our Elroq reckons will get us just over 100 miles more – probably not quite enough to get us home comfortably, but plenty to get to a public charger, or to drive around for the weekend. Give peas a chance As it is, though, a man in a Skoda jacket whisks our Elroq to one of Chewton Glen's many charging stations while we attempt the near-impossible task of getting an over-tired 16-month-old to eat something, anything, from a menu conceived by James Martin. In the end, he settles for bread, cheese and a few cursory peas, before we admit defeat and head for bed. The following morning, Skoda has planned a 90-minute family 'treasure hunt', complete with checkpoints, challenges and quiz questions. And it's on the New Forest's rutted roads that we find our first real problem with the Elroq: it's just a bit too stiff over bumps. It's not intolerable, but there's a woodenness to the way the suspension reacts that you'd rather wasn't there. It lacks the unctuous smoothness of an Octavia, or even an Enyaq, for that matter. We hadn't noticed any discomfort on the way down, which suggests it's only an issue on these less kempt roads and that at speed, on a motorway, the Elroq is much smoother. The slightly stiff set-up does provide good body control; even with the extra weight of the roofbox, the Elroq steadfastly refuses to lean over. As a result, there's plenty of grip and traction. The steering is direct, too, and the nose turns in well, though you'd never really call the Elroq fun as it doesn't give you much feedback; crisp, confident and reassuring is more like it. As the route wears on, though, the mood grows tense. A series of… well, let's be diplomatic and call them map-reading misunderstandings, has us ricocheting repeatedly around one corner of the New Forest. In one village, pedestrians look askance as we pass first in one direction, then back the other way, then again a third time. Happily, the Elroq's easy-going way of doing things exerts a restful influence. With the aid of a judicious stop at Milford-on-Sea for ice creams all round and a quick gawp at the Isle of Wight, calm is restored. How many ice creams will you be able to afford with the change if you go for an Elroq, though? Well, a fair few, given it's not as expensive as you might expect. In this specification, it'll set you back a little over £34,000 – about the same, in other words, as its petrol equivalent, a Karoq 1.5 TSI SE L Edition. Having said that, it's about £1,400 pricier than the equivalent EV3 – which has a cheaper-feeling interior but also a longer warranty and funkier styling. Against most other rivals, however, the Elroq is priced reasonably competitively. The Telegraph verdict It needs to be priced as such, because it enters what is now quite a crowded part of the market. But as we head for home, I can't help but think that the Elroq will likely do enough to win over buyers. There are a couple of foibles, of course. The boot could be bigger, the ride could be more pliant at low speeds. Then there's that touchscreen. It won't set your heart aflame with excitement, either – although on a weekend away with kids and dog in tow, that matters not a jot. What's more important is how easily a car like this fits into your life; how well it does away with hassle. And that, really, is the Elroq's trump card – because it's so well thought-out, it manages to make family outings such as this a doddle. Which is all you really want in a family car – electric or otherwise. The facts On test: Skoda Elroq 60 Edition Body style: five-door SUV On sale: now How much? £34,460 on the road (range from £31,510) How fast? 99mph, 0-62mph in 8.0sec How economical? 3.9mpkWh (WLTP Combined) Electric powertrain: AC permanent magnet synchronous motor with 59kWh battery (usable), 165kW on-board charger, Type 2/CCS charging socket Electric range: 279 miles (WLTP Combined) Maximum power/torque: 201bhp/229lb ft CO2 emissions: 0g/km (tailpipe), 19g/km (well-to-wheel) VED: £10 first year, then £195 Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles (mileage unlimited in first two years) Spare wheel as standard: no (not available) The rivals Kia EV3 Air Standard Range 201bhp, 270 miles, £33,005 on the road Probably the standard-bearer in this class, the EV3's eye-catching looks, airy interior and sharp driving dynamics make it a tempting EV. And this entry-level version is aggressively priced, undercutting all of its rivals – including the Elroq – despite also having a seven-year warranty. No wonder it was voted UK Car of the Year for 2025. Vauxhall Grandland Electric Design 210bhp, 323 miles, £37,355 on the road Vauxhall doesn't do a 'small battery' version of the Grandland, so you have to pay a bit more for one – but you also get a great deal more range (not to mention more power). For this price the entry-level Design version feels stingily equipped. And while it's perfectly competent, it's also rather dull. Omoda E5 Comfort 201bhp, 267 miles, £33,065 on the road This cheap Chinese alternative that isn't; given its tacky interior, fiddly touchscreen and incessant driver 'aids', it feels as though it should cost way less. The E5 isn't as roomy as its rivals, nor is it as good to drive – and it simply isn't affordable enough to justify these downsides. Beware the 'seven-year' warranty, too – there's a cut-off at only three years/40,000 miles after which quite a few are no longer covered.
Irish Examiner
03-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Francis Brennan: 'Beautiful' Bali really disappointed me — it was filthy
One of Ireland's most recognisable hoteliers, TV presenter and all-round national treasure, Francis Brennan has been everywhere from the foothills of the Himalayas to the streets of San Francisco. As co-host of long-running RTÉ series At Your Service (he's currently filming season 14) and former proprietor of the famed Park Hotel Kenmare, Francis brings a seasoned traveller's eye to the world. Here, he shares his favourite escapes, most surprising trips, and why a world cruise is still on his wish list. My favourite childhood holiday memory My father was a grocer working seven days a week, so holidays were very scarce. We'd take a half-day on a Monday and go to the seaside. But the one I always remember was going down to Courtown and staying in a caravan with my cousins. I think we were about seven or eight, and it was the first time we were properly away from mam and dad. There were seven of us in the bed. Health and safety wouldn't allow it now! I'll never forget the chips we used to get from the chipper in Courtown with the salt and vinegar. I've never had chips that tasted like that since. My most memorable trip India. I've been there three times over the years and it's just a shake for the senses. The colour, the style, the sheer number of people. I first went over 30 years ago, and then again about five years ago filming At Your Service. The economic transformation in that time was incredible. The first time I went, the Taj Mahal was quiet — a few Indian families and mostly foreign tourists. When I went back, it looked like Croke Park on All-Ireland day. It was very encouraging to see so many Indian people now able to holiday. It was brilliant to see the economic life of India rising. They say it will be the biggest market for all of us in time. Most surprising destination All I ever heard about was how beautiful Bali was. But when I went there on the way back from Australia, I was really disappointed! It was filthy, the beaches weren't nice, and the towns were all shacks. The big hotels — Accor, Méridien and others — went in 35 years ago and built luxury resorts. People go there and think everything is magnificent because the hotels keep their beachfront pristine. But when you leave the hotel, it's a poor show. The sand is the same everywhere, it's what surrounds you that matters. For me, Bali was way below expectations. My favourite hotel Chewton Glen My favourite hotel is Chewton Glen in the New Forest. It was run by a couple called the Skinners, and they were the first people to have a proper country house hotel in England. They had 104 staff — with four painters on staff full-time just to fix scuffs from suitcases! The gardens were magnificent, with huge displays of flowers and a beautiful driveway. The weather in that part of southern England is lovely, and everything about the place was just perfect. My favourite city to visit I love Venice. It's mystical. The canals, the streets, the shops, the food, the opera — everything. It's brilliant for three or four days, and there's plenty to see. You can take the vaporetto out to Murano and watch them make glass, and maybe bring some home in 77 different colours. I was there once for a small luxury hotel conference, and we had the most magnificent dinner in a noble house along the canal. The whole city is like a dream. If you go in March or April, you miss the crowds and have a great time. Most beautiful country Honolulu is my favourite place for a holiday. It's very far from Ireland, which makes it feel even more special when you get there. There's a great atmosphere, always 85 degrees and a breeze. The beach is beautiful, and they keep it that way. Everything is compact, the hotels, shops, restaurants, and everything works well together. I've been twice. Once, I even went scuba diving in a cave and saw fin sharks and electric eels. I still remember feeling a tail flick against my toes! Favourite thing to do while travelling I always do a walking tour. I think it's the best way to orient yourself in a new place. I use companies like GuruWalk or Travel by Locals, and I've had some brilliant experiences, like walking tours of the tiled steps in San Francisco or Grand Central Station in New York. You learn so much. I always do the hop-on and hop-off bus to see everything and decide where to go back to. And I love the theatre. If I'm in London or New York, I'll go to a show every night if I can. My bucket list trip I want to do a world cruise. I've always wanted to, but I can never get the time. The cruises are long —180 days or more — and I can't commit because At Your Service might need me, or one of the shops might. But someday I'll do it. I usually get to eventually.
