Škoda Enyaq Coupé RS iV review (2023) – Stabilo Boss
Occasional highlighting
Highlighting means labelling everything that interests us in the most beautiful way. Skoda seems to have done the same with the Enyaq Coupé RS iV, whose Mamba Green colour is awfully reminiscent of the Stabilo Boss highlighter. And the timing is perfect, as this is a model of the utmost importance. This gentle alien is not only the first electric Skoda RS, but also the most powerful car ever produced by the brand. So now it’s our turn to be thrilled!
The electric sports SUV is not a new idea, and Skoda is clearly no pioneer. However, the brand is experimenting with the Enyaq Coupé RS iV, which is indeed its first foray into the field. The technical side of things is no brainer: compared to a standard Enyaq, the power of the rear motor has been happily boosted and an electric motor has been added to the front axle. All in all, this Enyaq has 300 PS and 460 Nm of torque ready to tear up the tarmac. At low speeds, it really pushes hard. It’s lively, it’s fast, it’s active – in short, it’s definitely electric. As if encapsulated in a giant catapult, the driver has no hesitation in squeezing the accelerator to reignite the frenzy at will. But watch out for the range, because this Enyaq is inevitably the thirstiest of them all. 230 mi combined is a bit short for a 77 kWh battery. Of course, the 2,300 kg weight demands a lot of resources… And once you’ve got your head around it, you realize that the RS isn’t the fastest car in the class.
Athlete in boots
The car reaches 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is fine, and we certainly won’t argue with that. But 6.4 seconds is still too much compared to the competition, which easily dips below 5 seconds. The Kia EV6 GT and Tesla Model Y Performance even slip below 4 s. With 585 PS and around 450 PS respectively, the Czechs could complain about cheating. But in reality, the comparison unfortunately remains valid, as the Korean and the American remain close to the Skoda in terms of price. Acceleration, a childish exercise? It gets worse when the road bends, as the Tesla is infinitely more efficient and the Kia much more playful with its Drift mode. The Skoda, on the other hand, suffers from overly light steering, an unpleasant brake pedal and an annoying tendency to roll. Inevitably, such a combination is a real nuisance when it comes to driving pleasure. On the Czech side, then, it’s not easy, and once you’ve got the acceleration out of the way, it’s insipid to drive. To make up for this, it can count on superior comfort resulting from softer damping. It’s better than the competition, but it’s obviously still firm, especially with the 21-inch wheels. In any case, that’s not really what you want when you come knocking on the door of the RS badge. You’re looking for the agility of a dart, the liveliness of a blowpipe and the firepower of a mortar. In this respect, the Enyaq Coupé RS doesn’t disappoint – it’s just one step below the competition. A real shame!
I’m the star!
Although it’s rather asleep on the road, the Czech has what it takes to fool the crowds, as its outfit is clearly not lacking in doggy. It’s no easy feat to go unnoticed in its Mamba Green. Its Crystal Face backlit grille is also impressive at night. It lacks a little finesse, it’s true, but it’s worth remembering that the Enyaq is an SUV that is, by its very nature, a large car. This chubby design is therefore naturally to be found on its little friends. No choice! And from there to finding it beautiful, there’s a step I won’t take. On the other hand, I’m happy to change my mind about the interior. The cabin is virtually identical to a classic Enyaq, which is a good point! The layout is uncluttered and the materials used are tasteful. A few touches of Alcantara here, some stitching there… It’s sober and seriously executed without being overdone in any way. Conversely, ergonomics are not the Enyaq’s strong point, and it relies too heavily on touch-screen controls. The central screen is packed with sub-menus that are not always intuitive, and the ventilation settings remain erratic. It’s a pity, though, because you’ll otherwise enjoy being in this Czech, which retains all its family-friendly credentials. Legroom? Check. Headroom? Check. Practicality? Check. Boot space ? Check. Ideal for a weekend getaway? On the long stretch of asphalt, the Czech requires a recharge stop every 180 mi. That’s reassuring, but when it comes to recharging, we’re still a little disappointed. 150 kW is a little short compared with the others. So you’ll have to be patient before you can hit the road again. Would you like some coffee?
Personality disorder
Skoda has always been a consistent brand, but this Enyaq is an exception. It is a tad more dynamic, at the cost of less comfort than the other members of its family. It also shaves a few seconds off the 0-60 time, at the cost of a shorter range. Still, it’s not a thrill to drive, and for an RS model, that’s unfortunate. It’s tempting to question the relevance of this supposedly sporty version. And did I mention the price? At €70,410, you’ll need to have seriously deep pockets. Who’d really want to spend that kind of money when a standard Enyaq does an even better job of being a family car for much less?
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