SKODA

Skoda Enyaq Coupé: the electric car that keeps up with the times and delivers on all fronts

The Skoda Enyaq Coupé Sportline 8.5 shows at first glance how a well-executed redesign can make a model look younger without needing to reinvent it. The changes that debuted at the beginning of the summer are nevertheless evident, as the front end has ditched the illuminated grille they called Crystal Face (which, truth be told, we already loved) and now opts for what they call Tech-Deck Face, an even more attractive reinterpretation that hides sensors and improves aerodynamics. The result isn't just aesthetic, but has also allowed the coefficient to be reduced to 0.225, improving efficiency and range.

From the front, the disappearance of the hood logo, replaced by the Skoda name in letters, and the Matrix LED headlights, standard on this sporty version, are also striking. From the side, the 20-inch wheels and the 15 mm lowered suspension make it clear that this is the Sportline version. And the roofline sloping toward the rear, where the taillights have also been redesigned, gives it a certain "rebel coupe" feel, while maintaining its true appearance: a very practical car.

Inside, it maintains the essence of the pre-redesigns, albeit with some new materials and configurations, called Design Selections, which include sustainable options. There are no major surprises, but there are compelling details, such as good finishes (the materials are better in the center of the dashboard and from the doors upwards) or a logical layout of the controls. So logical (correct, we'd say) that, under the large 13-inch infotainment screen, we find physical buttons for all those functions we like to activate with a button, without having to lose ourselves in submenus: driving modes (there are four: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual), climate control, parking assist and alert, central locking, and quick defrosting of the windshield and windows.

The driving position is comfortable. It doesn't feel like our backs are attached to the backrest like Velcro, but it offers plenty of support, which makes us suspect we'll be held firmly on the mountain curves. Behind the steering wheel, plastic levers allow you to adjust the regeneration in four levels (from no regeneration to very strong regeneration), as well as an automatic mode. They're small, made of plastic, and their operation isn't exactly a marvel of solidity, but they are very useful. A little further away is the instrumentation, which is still only a 5-inch screen, but provides the necessary information, and is compensated by a standard head-up display.

Interior space is one of the Enyaq Coupé's strong points. In the front, even passengers up to 1.80 meters tall feel they have plenty of room in terms of width and height. And when you open the doors, you immediately realize the space available to comfortably accommodate, as a passenger of the same height has 15 centimeters of space from the knees to the seatbacks, as well as 13 centimeters from the head to the glass roof. 

Original tray...The floor is flat, but, in keeping with Skoda's Simply Clever philosophy, our test vehicle featured a removable tray located on the floor, right between the feet of a hypothetical fifth passenger. It also features two dedicated air vents (the climate control is tri-zone), heated seats (the front seats are also ventilated), and two USB-C ports. But if two adults travel comfortably in the back seat, enjoying good visibility, the middle passenger will never find the ride as comfortable because the backrest is too prominent and harder than the seats on either side.

Contributing to this overall feeling of spaciousness is the light provided by the enormous sunroof. It doesn't open, but the downside we found is the lack of a sunshade, as the glass alone should filter out almost all UV rays. However, the reality is that it lets in some heat, and we might end up missing a closed roof, even though the side curtains on the rear doors help reduce the cabin temperature. As for the trunk, it offers 570 liters, although this doesn't include a hidden storage tray (optional, along with cargo nets and the aforementioned interior tray for 310 euros). We love this removable tray with compartments because it helps organize small items and can be removed for storage if we're traveling and need to accommodate very large suitcases. And if, instead of four or five occupants, we're traveling with one or two, we can fold down the rear seats and easily transport items like bicycles, thanks to its 1,610-liter capacity.

From 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds...The rear-mounted motor delivers 286 hp and 545 Nm, more than enough to easily move the car's two-ton weight. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h (electronically limited). It's not a sports car, nor does it look like one (its height and weight are noticeable), but it doesn't pretend to be either: we're more interested in its practicality than its "philosophical approach." In this sense, its acceleration and recovery response are very quick, and overtaking is easy.

Fast charging supports up to 175 kW on direct current, allowing the battery to go from 20% to 80% in about 28 minutes. On alternating current, maximum power is 11 kW. The car is also already equipped with bidirectional V2H charging, although this feature won't be available until 2026, when the necessary hardware arrives.

On the road, the Coupé Sportline 85's handling felt refined and assured. The lowered suspension provides a bit more firmness than other versions. It's not uncomfortable, but urban bumps, such as speed bumps, are sometimes noticeably sharp. The steering is precise, if a bit filtered, and the car's weight is always present. We say this because inertia is noticeable in tight corners, but the overall package remains stable and easy to control.

Furthermore, rear-wheel drive adds an extra touch of agility, but don't think that this makes it difficult to drive or that the rear axle is at risk of slipping. Instead, it inspires the confidence and driving pleasure that a father always desires.

The equipment range is comprehensive from the start. Highlights include tri-zone climate control, keyless entry, traffic jam assist, predictive adaptive cruise control, Side Assist and Park Assist, enhanced connectivity, compatibility with the Mykoda app, and the Powerpass service. Driver assistance features include lane-keeping, cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, and perimeter sensors, among others.

In Spain, the Enyaq Coupé Sportline 85 starts at €53,280, excluding subsidies or promotions that can significantly reduce the price. In fact, when configuring the car, we discovered that the website itself suggested specific units of the chosen model, allowing us to buy them without waiting, as prices are almost always lower than the advertised price.

Autonews