Skoda releases cheaper EVs

Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda has announced two aggressively-priced electric vehicles (EV) for Australia, aimed at arresting a worrying sales slide by luring EV buyers away from popular brands like Kia and BYD.

Kicking things off from $47,990 (all prices are before on-road costs unless otherwise stated) is the recently-released Elroq in newly-announced 60 Select base grade.

While that is not quite at the same low level as the cheapest Chinese SUVs, including the Chery E5 (from $36,990), MG S5 (from $40,490 drive-away), BYD Atto 3 (from $39,990), Geely EX5 (from $40,990) and Leapmotor C10 (from $45,888), Skoda nearly matches the Kia EV3 (from $47,600), and significantly undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric (from $54,000), Smart #1 (from $54,900) and Renault Megane E-Tech (from $54,990).

The base Elroq isn’t short on tech either, aligning and even beating some of its cheaper alternatives.

The 60 Select includes a relatively large battery (63kWh, for a WLTP range of 395km), high electric motor outputs (150kW of power and 310Nm of torque) and strong acceleration (0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds).

Additionally, equipment levels include keyless entry with walk-away lock, LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 13-inch central touchscreen, reverse camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charger, four USB-C ports, DAB+ digital radio, heated/power-folding mirrors, 19-inch alloys, a seven-year warranty and even a door-sited umbrella – a brand signature.

Plus, it doesn’t scrimp on safety, with seven airbags and a host of advanced driver-assist systems, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane support, rear cross-traffic alert and an occupant-exit warning system.

Combined with the fact that the 60 Select is larger than many small-SUV EV rivals, the brand is confident the Elroq will find traction with value-minded consumers.

The second EV offering has even more potential for reversing Skoda’s 22 per cent sales slide so far in 2025, thanks to the sharp pricing for the newly-facelifted, entry-level Enyaq.

Appealing to one of the largest segments in Australia, this is basically an elongated version of the Elroq with a longer tail, aimed squarely at the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sorento family SUV end of the market.

Starting from $50,990, the Enyaq 60 Select is the new entry point into a more-wagon-like SUV wagon body shape, joining the more-sleekly styled Enyaq Coupe models that were launched locally in September, 2024 – though these too have been facelifted.

Representing a near-$20,000 cheaper entry point to the range compared to the previous Coupe 85 Sportline version, the Enyaq 60 Select positions the Czech-built Skoda under popular rivals sourced from China, including the BYD Sealion 7 (from $54,990), Kia EV5 (from $56,770) and Tesla Model Y (from $58,990).

As the 60 Select grade suggests, it uses the same electric powertrain as its Elroq kid brother, yet manages to eke out a bit more range (410km) from the 63kWh battery due to superior aerodynamics, while providing more rear-seat space and a much larger cargo area.

The significance of both Skodas is magnified by the fact that, prior to the announcement of the 60 Select models, these models’ starting prices were substantially higher.

In the case of the Elroq, which only debuted in August, the previous entry-level grade, the continuing 85 Select with an 82kWh battery (for 529km of WLTP range) and 210kW/545Nm (for a 6.6s sprint time to 100km/h) retailed from $55,000, while the Enyaq 85 Sportline facelift, with the same specifications but 547km of range, nudges $60,000.

Finally, both Skodas represent the least-expensive mid-sized SUV entry point into the VW Group’s advanced MEB EV architecture.

For instance, the very closely-related VW ID.4 starts from $59,990, the Cupra Tavascan from $60,990 and Audi Q4 e-tron from $84,900.

Deliveries for both 60 Select grades are from November 2025.