The Skoda Elroq 85 Edition has claimed the What Car? Family Electric SUV of the Year 2025 title, reaffirming its position as a standout choice in the increasingly competitive family electric SUV market. Designed for practicality and comfort, it offers excellent value without compromising on quality or technology.
About What Car? and the Car of the Year Awards
What Car? is one of the UK’s leading automotive publications, renowned for its in-depth reviews and buying advice. The awards celebrate vehicles that excel across key categories, including family cars, electric vehicles, and SUVs, with criteria such as practicality, safety, affordability, and innovation. Winning a What Car? Award is considered a benchmark of quality and reliability, helping guide consumers toward the best choices in a crowded marketplace.
Runners-Up: Strong Competition in the Family Electric SUV Class
The family electric SUV category featured several impressive contenders, highlighting the rapid advancements in this segment. The notable runners-up include:
- Kia EV3: Praised for its excellent range and cutting-edge technology, the EV3 came close to matching the Elroq’s practicality and value.
- Renault Scenic E-Tech: Known for its roomy interior and stylish design, the Scenic offers a competitive range.
- Peugeot e-3008: With a bold design and a focus on comfort, the e-3008 stood out.
The Elroq’s ability to deliver a well-rounded package of range, practicality, and family-friendly features helped it secure the win.

What is it?
The Skoda Elroq is the brand’s latest fully electric SUV, positioned as a more compact and affordable alternative to the larger Skoda Enyaq. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MEB platform, which underpins other popular electric models, the Elroq is designed for families transitioning to electric driving. It’s available with a range of battery sizes and powertrains, with the 85 Edition offering the highest range and performance in the lineup. The Elroq blends practicality and innovation with Skoda’s signature “Simply Clever” features, making it an appealing choice in the growing mid-size electric SUV segment.
Design and Practicality
Skoda’s new “Modern Solid” design language makes its debut with the Elroq, characterised by clean lines, a gloss-black grille hiding the car’s cameras and sensors, and subtle yet distinctive details. The car features the Skoda name prominently on the front and rear, marking a shift away from the traditional winged emblem.
Despite being smaller than its sibling, the Enyaq, the Elroq impresses with its practical design. It offers ample rear space, accommodating tall passengers comfortably, and a 470-litre boot, which, while slightly smaller than some rivals, is versatile thanks to features like a height-adjustable boot floor and a dedicated charging cable storage net.

Interior and Features
The Elroq continues Skoda’s tradition of “Simply Clever” solutions, providing thoughtful features such as an ice scraper in the tailgate, umbrellas in the doors, and a multi-functional parcel shelf. The cabin is well-designed, with high-quality materials, excellent seat adjustability, and a 13-inch touchscreen that’s easy to use and responsive, featuring shortcut buttons for essential functions.
The overall interior quality remains impressive for its price point. Rear passengers benefit from ample legroom, USB-C charging ports, and smartphone pockets integrated into the seatbacks.

Performance and Electric Range
The Elroq 85 Edition, equipped with an 82 kWh battery, delivers a range of up to 360 miles on the WLTP cycle, making it one of the most capable in its segment. Its 204-hp motor provides smooth acceleration, while the rear-wheel-drive configuration ensures engaging yet predictable handling.
The ride is well-balanced, offering comfort on long journeys and nimbleness in urban settings. A 9.3-metre turning circle further enhances its practicality in tight spaces. Charging is convenient, with a maximum rate of 175 kW allowing a 10-80% top-up in just 28 minutes.

Technology and Safety
The Elroq is packed with modern technology, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, and a customisable digital driver’s display. Safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring contribute to its expected five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Verdict
The Skoda Elroq 85 Edition’s combination of practicality, efficiency, and thoughtful features makes it a deserving winner of the What Car? Family Electric SUV of the Year 2025 award. It strikes a balance between affordability and premium appeal, solidifying Skoda’s reputation as a leader in family-oriented vehicles. For those looking to make the switch to electric, the Elroq delivers a compelling blend of usability, range, and value.