Skoda’s hosting a dinner party, and there’s Chinese on the menu.
More specifically, cheap Chinese electric SUVs, and their stranglehold on Australia’s affordable electric vehicle (EV) market. Mmmm, delicious.
You see, Skoda has always pitched itself as a bit of a value hero compared to other European automakers, but that’s no longer enough to ensure the brand’s health Down Under.
Instead, it now has to carve out a slice of the growing EV pie, and that means stealing business from everyone – manufacturers from Germany, Japan, Korea and, most importantly, China. The only problem is the Chinese promise everything for nothing, offering well-equipped family vehicles for the price of a base Volkswagen Golf.
Skoda’s solution? This – the Elroq 60 Select. At under $50,000 drive-away, Skoda’s new EV entry point is cheap enough to compete with some of the most budget-friendly mid-size electric SUVs.
But is it cheap and cheerful, or cheap and nasty? Or, perhaps, does the truth lie somewhere in between?
Read on to find out.
How much does the Skoda Elroq cost?
Priced at $49,990 drive-away, the 60 Select costs $10,000 less than the previous entry-level 85 Select variant, and a whopping $20,000 less than the flagship 130 Years Edition.
| Model | Price before on-road costs | Drive-away price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Skoda Elroq 60 Select | $47,990 | $49,990 |
| 2026 Skoda Elroq 85 Select | $54,990 | $59,990 |
| 2026 Skoda Elroq 130 Years Edition | $64,990 | $69,990 |
Indeed, it’s priced more closely to sub-$50k Chinese opposition including the BYD Atto 3, Deepal S07, Geely EX5, Leapmotor C10, and XPeng G6.
Another option buyers in this space might consider is the Skoda Enyaq – the Elroq’s slightly larger but otherwise very similar sibling. It starts from $54,990 drive-away.
To see how the Skoda Elroq lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
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What is the Skoda Elroq like on the inside?
The cheapest European EV in Australia certainly doesn’t feel cheap. Far from it.
Rather, like dearer versions of the Elroq, the 60 Select is a premium product that punches above its affordable price tag.
That’s not to say it’s overflowing with gadgets and gizmos, because it’s not, but the interior specifications are still impressive considering this is a sub-$50k electric SUV not built in China.
For example, the new entry-level Elroq retains little luxuries like front seat heating and a wireless phone charger – pretty standard stuff for a Chinese EV in this ballpark, but not so much for those from Japan, Korea, and Germany.
Most of the cabin trim is of a high standard, too. You get soft-touch finishes across the upper dash and door cards, along with quality cloth upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. All of it feels durable and well screwed together.
The front seats are plush and ergonomic in equal measure, despite requiring manual adjustment. Padding on either side of the transmission tunnel gives you a soft spot to rest your left knee while driving. As such, it really is easy to get comfortable in the pilot’s chair.
And, beyond that, it doesn’t take long to familiarise yourself with all the key controls. A single strip of clicky shortcuts below the infotainment screen provides straightforward access to popular vehicle functions, while physical buttons and toggles are linked to adjustment of the side mirrors and air vents – simple, as it should be.
The technology suite is similarly user-friendly. Sitting atop the dash is the same 13-inch infotainment system shared across several newer Skoda models, and that’s a good thing because the screen is simple to navigate, quick to respond, and relatively pleasing on the eye. It must be said that there’s a very slight fuzz to the visuals, but not enough for it to be worthy of complaint.
As with most modern vehicles, all onboard functionality is laid out in an app grid that will be familiar to those who own a modern smartphone. That is, 95 per cent of people.
More unique to the Skoda system is its breadth of configurability – the home screen layout and shortcut icons can be chopped and changed to suit user preferences. By default, shortcuts for audio output, phone functionality, smartphone mirroring, navigation, and climate controls are pinned to the base of the screen.
You can also swipe down on the screen for quick access to A/C and audio controls.
While thoroughly modern, the infotainment system in the Elroq isn’t paired with the problematic touch-sensitive controls that plagued previous-generation Volkswagen Group products, bar a volume slider under the infotainment screen. It is, however, mated to an eight-speaker sound system that muddied instrument-led music a little too much for my liking.
Moving across, the Elroq also features a very small yet effective instrument display. Tucked into the dash directly behind the steering wheel, the 5.0-inch unit shows key information including speed and efficiency data without any added fluff.
There’s no head-up display in this entry model, although that’s not unexpected.
More importantly, the 60 Select variant doesn’t go without any of the clever storage cubbies that make the Elroq so practical. That means you still get a deep centre console bin with removable shelves, a wide tray at the base of the central ‘bridge’, carpet-lined door bins fit for a large drink bottle, and room for two smartphones behind the cupholders. There’s simply no excuse for any loose items to be left homeless up front.
Continuing on the subject of practicality, connectivity options are also plentiful. Wireless smartphone mirroring is standard, as are a pair of USB-C outlets that live at the base of the centre stack. Contrary to what we’ve written previously, all Elroqs including the 60 Select offer wireless phone charging.
And you’ll need to keep your phone paired up, as the Elroq doesn’t offer satellite navigation. Nor does it come with connected services – a technology that enables remote start and stop, vehicle system monitoring and tracking, remote climate control, and over-the-air software updates – among other functions. For reference, the Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X and Hyundai Ioniq 5 all offer some form of net-based services and remote app functionality as standard.
As is the case up front, the second row of the Elroq 60 Select is generously appointed and impressively spacious.
Despite looking quite compact from the outside, the Elroq is a bit of a TARDIS thanks to the relatively long wheelbase it shares with the closely related Enyaq. Wide-opening rear doors aid ingress and egress, and once you’re inside there’s plenty of legroom and headroom for taller adults. Rear passengers also benefit from the light headlining of the 60 Select, which makes the rear bench space feel open and airy.
And, being an EV, the Elroq has a flat floor that encourages use of the middle seat. Or you can option a removable storage box that fits perfectly into the centre section of floor.
Compared to the flagship 130 Years Edition, the 60 Select misses out on rear climate control, sunshades and outboard seat heating. Still, it’s a pleasant place to spend some time in and retains twin air vents, USB-C outlets, and clever split map pockets.
When not required, the rear bench folds in a 60/40 fashion to maximise cargo room, albeit with a steep step between the boot and bench storage.
Skoda claims 470 litres of boot capacity for the 60 Select – 115L less than the Enyaq SUV, but more than the Geely EX5, BYD Atto 3, and Deepal S07.
A few ‘simply clever’ extras, including nooks in the boot wall and various bag hooks, help to sweeten the deal. And while there’s no under-bonnet storage area, charging cables fit nicely under the boot floor.
A power tailgate is reserved for the 130 Years Edition, while all Elroqs receive a tyre repair kit instead of a traditional spare.
| Dimensions | Skoda Elroq 60 Select |
|---|---|
| Length | 4488mm |
| Width | 1884mm |
| Height | 1625mm |
| Wheelbase | 2765mm |
| Cargo capacity | 470L (rear seats up) 1580L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Skoda Elroq lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Compared to other Elroq variants, the 60 Select is down on battery capacity, straight-line performance, and driving range. It does, however, boast a higher peak DC fast-charging rate.
| Specifications | Skoda Elroq 60 |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric |
| Battery | 63kWh li-ion |
| Power | 150kW |
| Torque | 310Nm |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2060kg (tare) |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.0 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 15.9kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | 15.4kWh/100km |
| Claimed range | 395km |
| Max AC charge rate | 11kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 165kW |
To see how the Skoda Elroq lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Skoda Elroq drive?
The ’60’ badged Elroq captures the agreeable essence of the model without much compromise.
On paper, the gap in performance between the Elroq 60 and Elroq 85 is 60kW and 235Nm. In reality, it’s more like the difference between keeping up with traffic and getting ahead of it. That’s to say the lower output version produces more than enough punch in most situations, including the 0-60-0km/h flow of urban driving.
The one possible exception is high-speed overtaking, but even during highway stints I never found myself wanting more ‘go’.
After all, 150kW and 310Nm is nothing to sneeze at, and few rival electric SUVs at this price point offer much more than that. Combustion-engined SUVs may pull harder at the top end, but they lack the instant electric response of the Elroq, even in its base form.
So, if you were worried about the drivability of this milder Elroq, you shouldn’t be. It’s hard to be quite as definitive on the topic of range, though.
Skoda claims the Elroq 60 can cover 395km on a single charge – 134km down on other Elroq variants, and likewise well short of the 450-500km promised by competitors including the BYD Atto 3, Geely EX5, and Deepal S07.
Now, if you’re buying the Elroq primarily as a city runabout, that’s not really going to concern you. Especially if you can charge it at home. However, when you start looking at longer road trips, this deficit can be the difference between making one stop or multiple. In other words, it starts to matter.
It’s just as well the Elroq charges far quicker than all the aforementioned Chinese EVs, then. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be particularly bothered by the Elroq’s mediocre range.
And, on balance, the many strengths of this car more than make up for it. Like other variants, the Elroq 60 is a palate-cleansing EV with a flat learning curve. The driving position is absolutely ace, while all the controls are physical in nature and where you’d expect them to be – I’m looking at you, Tesla!
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What’s more, there’s a simple selection of drive modes – Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual – rather than a seemingly endless list of adjustable parameters in the infotainment system. Individual mode lets you tinker with the dynamics, steering, throttle response and exterior sound, but otherwise you can just leave the Elroq in Normal and get on with driving.
Doing so quickly reveals more endearing qualities. Shift into ‘D’ and there’s a calming familiarity to the Elroq, while ‘B’ mode increases regenerative braking without complication – there’s an instant slowing sensation when you lift off the right pedal, but it’s progressive and very easy to modulate.
The Elroq also feels right-sized for Australian roads, with excellent outward visibility and no major blind spots.
By the same token, low noise levels leave little room for complaint. The single-motor electric powertrain is whisper-quiet, yet the sounds of the outside world still struggle to find their way into the cabin, leaving you to enjoy a podcast or some tunes in peace.
There’s no threat of rogue safety aids disturbing that peace, either. Advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) aren’t lacking, but they’re all calibrated to be helpful rather than overbearing. The Volkswagen Group as a whole seems to have this figured out.
Travel Assist – a semi-autonomous driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane centring – is standard across the Elroq range. The system is highly competent and operated via a dedicated stalk behind the steering wheel – not quite as intuitive as buttons, but easy enough to get used to.
It’s not so easy, however, to get used to the firmness of the Elroq’s suspension, a drawback that’s likewise common across the range. There’s simply not enough give in the passive dampers on Australia’s rough roads, resulting in a busy, bumpy ride that rarely settles. A two-tonne kerb weight likely doesn’t help, either.
Is that a deal-breaker? If you live somewhere with particularly poor surfacing, perhaps. At least those people have the option to instead buy the closely related Enyaq, which can be had with Skoda’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damper system. Why you can’t spec an Elroq the same way, I couldn’t tell you.
And it’s not like the Elroq’s firmness translates to razor-sharp handling – you can really feel its weight in the body roll induced by faster, sweeping bends.
With that said, I was impressed by the stickiness of the Hankook Ventus Evo S1 tyres fitted to our test vehicle, which ensured the Elroq still felt composed and predictable when pushed. Compact dimensions also work in its favour on narrower roads.
The steering feels a little more natural than most EVs at this price point, too, although Sport mode detracts from that by adding artificial sludge to the rack.
Overall, though, the Elroq 60 still delivers a satisfyingly simple and approachable driving experience.
To see how the Skoda Elroq lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
The cheaper price doesn’t mean the Elroq 60 Select misses out on much gear. In fact, a lot of it is shared with the 85 Select, including 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, and adaptive cruise control with Travel Assist.
2026 Skoda Elroq 60 Select equipment highlights:
- 19-inch ‘Proteus’ alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- LED tail-lights
- Auto-dimming rear view mirror
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Heated, folding, auto-dimming side mirrors
- 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 5.3-inch digital instrument display
- Wireless smartphone charger incl. ventilation
- 4 x USB-C outlets
- 8-speaker sound system
- Dual-zone climate control
- LED ambient lighting
- Grey cloth and leatherette upholstery
- Green stitching
- Heated front seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Mode 3 (Type 2) charging cable
- Keyless entry, start
Elroq 85 Select adds:
- Dark chrome exterior trim
- LED rear fog lights
- LED indicators
- LED door pocket lighting
- Rear centre armrest
- Removable rear storage box
- Tailgate pull handle
Elroq 130 Edition adds:
- 21-inch Supernova alloy wheels
- Matrix LED headlights
- Dynamic headlight range control
- Dynamic cornering lights
- Premium LED tail-lights
- Head-up display incl. augmented reality function
- Intelligent Park Assist
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Electric lumbar
- Massage function
- Memory
- 360-degree parking cameras
- Canton 12-speaker sound system
- Power tailgate with hands-free opening
- Anthracite TechnoFil /orange-stitched grey faux leather seat trim
- ‘Premium’ interior finishes
- Rear sunshades
- Heated rear seats (outboard)
- Three-zone climate control
To see how the Skoda Elroq lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Skoda Elroq safe?
The Skoda Elroq has not yet been tested by Australian safety authority ANCAP, but it does hold a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating based on 2025 testing.
Standard safety features include:
- 7 airbags
- Travel Assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Adaptive Lane Assist
- Emergency Assist
- Front Assist – AEB
- Side Assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Exit warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver fatigue detection
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear-view camera
85 Select adds:
- Manoeuvre braking assist – front and rear
130 Years Edition adds:
- Park Assist
- Surround-view camera
- Rear side airbags
To see how the Skoda Elroq lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Skoda Elroq cost to run?
The Elroq is covered by Skoda’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty in Australia.
| Servicing and Warranty | Skoda Elroq |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 2 years free, then service-activated |
| Service intervals | 2 years or 30,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Up to 10 years (Service Pack) |
| Average annual service cost (10 years) | $195 |
| Total capped-price service cost (10 years) | $1950 |
Servicing is relatively inexpensive if you opt for one of Skoda’s prepaid service packages which cover maintenance costs for up to 10 years. Pay-as-you-go servicing is also available, with Skoda quoting $502 per visit.
Elroq buyers can also take advantage of Skoda Choice – the brand’s guaranteed value and finance program.
To see how the Skoda Elroq lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Skoda Elroq 60 Select
One of Australia’s most underrated EVs just got even better.
By dropping a smaller battery into the Elroq (and Enyaq), Skoda has managed to improve upon an already compelling value proposition without introducing too many compromises.
Sure, 400km of range won’t quite be enough for some, but quick charging speeds help to offset that somewhat. As for the reduction in performance, it’s a non-issue, at least as far as I’m concerned.
Those downgrades aside, the Elroq 60 Select is still an Elroq – efficient, well-equipped, practical, and approachable in every sense of the word.
Indeed, what you’re getting here is a thoughtfully designed, European-built SUV with Volkswagen Group underpinnings for the price of an alternative that’s either smaller, or not of the same standing.
Throw in cheap servicing and a seven-year warranty and, well, the Elroq 60 Select makes a very strong case to be your next EV.
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