Our cars Day-to-day electric car comfort
Is the Enyaq nice to drive? Richard Bush
When critiquing an electric vehicle, it can be easy to forget about regular car stuff. Your mind inherently homes in on things like range rather than comfort, tech and enjoyment. And it’s understandable, I guess, at least during the new car honeymoon period.
But ultimately, if you’re looking to take the plunge into electric vehicle ownership, everyday comfort and convenience is going to matter, and I’ve made a conscious effort over the past month or so to look at the Enyaq from a slightly less-electrified point of view.
My journeys in the Enyaq are usually split evenly between 30-minute work commutes and long 2-3 hour family hiking trips. As a result, I frequently tackle everything from rush hour traffic to long motorway stints. And on the whole, I’m very pleased to say that the Enyaq is a pleasure to drive.
The steering is responsive and effortless, making straight-line cruising and winding country roads a breeze. The suspension is also well-honed – although I did initially find it a little firm, especially over uneven tarmac. Whether I’ve simply acclimatised to it – or I was just spoiled by the cushion-like ride of the Suzuki Swace I ran for six months before it – I’m not sure. But overall, from a get-in-and-go perspective, the Enyaq feels more like a no-nonsense family hatchback rather than a big SUV, which is a good thing as far as I’m concerned.
The instant electric power you get from putting your foot down is a massive
Standard equipment: 13in touchscreen display, DAB digital radio, satellite naviga- tion system, lane assist,cruise control ad speed limiter, leather seats, front assist with assisted automatic braking, parking sensor front and rear, rear view camera, chrome roof rails.
boon during commutes, giving you an extra few yards when darting out at busy roundabouts or when having to navigate through fluctuating motorway traffic. Power delivery is smooth overall and you can still gently squeeze the accelerator when nudging your way along. I’ve found the regenerative braking mode on offer – designed to help recoup electric charge by gradually applying the brakes when you take your foot off the accelerator – to be a massive asset to the overall ease-of-use of the Enyaq. The regen mode can be toggled on and off, but I tend to have it on all the time. Not only does it help keep battery charge topped up, but it takes a lot of the effort out of having to slow down at traffic lights and when taking corners. Plus, with the instant torque you get due to the electric powertrain, I feel that the regenerative braking mode helps rein in some of that power and stops you from accidentally getting overzealous and having to slam on.
Skoda Enyaq iV 80 Suite 82 KWh 204PS DSG
P11D price £41,415 As tested £46,090 Official range 327 miles Our average consumption 250 miles Mileage 2,393
46 | May 2022 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
By far my favourite thing about the Enyaq, however, is its quiet cabin. Sure, it’s quiet because it’s an electric car and there’s no engine noise, but aside from that, the cabin keeps you well insulated from wind, tyre and all other unwanted outside noise – even at motorway speeds. A recent nighttime cruise I had in the Enyaq on an empty motorway was one of the most serene drives I’ve ever had – to the point where I had to listen to some Motörhead to ensure I stayed alert. Not a joke. There’s a few other convenience features that have leapt out at me from behind the wheel of the Enyaq, some of them immensely simple, but incredibly welcome. There’s the adjustable centre console arm rest, easy to grip two-prong steering wheel, last destination sat-nav feature, constant on route traffic alerts, a distancing graphic from the car in front, adaptive cruise control and an auto hold feature that allows you to take your foot off the brake when idle in traffic. So far, from a daily commute perspective, it’s hard to fault the Enyaq.
Why we’re running it
To see how easy, or difficult, incorporating an EV vehicle into a busy family lifestyle is.
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