Video summary

Skoda Elroq vs Kia EV3 | First UK twin test | Which electric SUV is the champion? | Electrifying

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product(s) reviewed

A head-to-head “twin test” comparing two electric midsize family SUVs available in the UK:

  • Skoda Elroq (spelled “lrock” in subtitles) — reviewed mainly via Elroq Edition 85 (77 kWh battery)
  • Kia EV3 — described as the Car of the Year benchmark

Key features mentioned

Skoda Elroq (Elroq Edition 85)

  • Positioning/segment: Midsize SUV, competing with cars like Kona, EV3, Volvo EX30
  • Pricing: from £31,500 (entry) up to about £44,700 (top spec Elroq Edition 85 as shown)

Battery / range (paper figures)

  • Entry: 55 kWh, 232 miles
  • Top: 77 kWh, up to 360 miles

Looks / design vibe

  • Feels more “sensible/solid/classic” than the EV3
  • A humorous comparison was made: the Elroq is like “ready salted crisps” rather than the EV3’s “prawn cocktail” vibe.

Interior (front)

  • Denim-like aesthetic (“denim vibes”)
  • Strong perceived quality: stitching and many touchpoints
  • Dislikes:
    • Cheap-feeling plastic door handles
    • Not a fan of the Skoda badge on the steering wheel
    • Cup holders too small
  • Storage / under-storage: praised, including
    • a center storage area that can be lifted out
    • lots of small bins
  • Screen style: described as a bit “retro/sticky up”; a more seamless continuous screen would be preferred
  • AI assistant (“Laura”): works well (humor about needing to say “Laura”)
  • Practicality: ISOFIX in the front passenger seat noted as handy for families

Interior (rear seats)

  • More spacious than the EV3
  • Brighter, less “open” feel due to central console shape
  • Rear heated seats
  • Rear charge ports
  • Outside rear seats: decent size
  • Some disappointing finishing compared with the front (plastics and a “parts-bin” feel)
  • Physical usability praised:
    • Temperature control via flappy paddles rather than only screen interaction
  • Headrests praised heavily
  • Rear cup holders: “bigger cup needs”

Boot / storage

  • Paper claims debated:
    • Elroq 470 L vs EV3 460 L
  • With seats down (from subtitles):
    • Elroq 1,580 L vs EV3 1,250 L
  • Despite numbers, reviewers felt the Kia’s boot looks/feels more usable
  • “Simply Clever” storage includes cable/handles and an ice-scraper/umbrella-style thoughtfulness
  • Caveat: many things cost extra, even though there are “thoughtful” inclusions

Driving / comfort

  • “Comfy and easy to drive” family feel
  • Elroq 85 performance:
    • Top speed: 111 mph
    • 0–62 mph: 6.6 seconds
  • Single motor, rear-wheel drive
  • Grip praised: less “scrabble” than Volvo EX30; feels more composed
  • Steering: nice and responsive, but slightly light
  • Turning circle: very tight (praised for parking)
  • Physical buttons praised (large, usable; window controls also praised)
  • Braking:
    • Disliked foot brake feel: “spongy”, needs firmer pedal pressure
    • Regen weaker: more limited B-mode behavior; does not bring to a full stop like Kia

Charging

  • Max DC charge depends on model:
    • Elroq 50: 145 kW
    • Elroq 60: 165 kW
    • Elroq 85: 175 kW
  • 10–80%: about 30 minutes
  • AC charging: up to 11 kW
  • Vehicle-to-load: not available
  • Heat pump: available on top specs (£1,100 option noted)

Overall vibe

  • Premium-feeling interior in many areas, but a few obvious cost-saving touches.

Kia EV3

  • Positioning: benchmark car; “Car of the Year”
  • Pricing:
    • Starts £32,990 (58.3 kWh, 267 miles claimed)
    • Tops out at £43,819 (GT line S), with additional paint cost (£625 for “pistachio green”)

Design vibe

  • More funky/quirky/statement than the Elroq
  • Compared humorously to “prawn cocktail” vs the Elroq’s “ready salted” feel.

Driving / comfort

  • Praised as easy to live with
  • Smooth, quiet, comfortable
  • No scrabbling despite front-wheel drive (surprising performance feel)
  • 0–62 mph ~7.7 seconds (described as perfectly adequate)
  • Steering and ride comfort praised; comfort attributed partly to wheel size:
    • EV3 on 19-inch wheels vs Elroq on 20s → less road noise

Interior usability

  • Lots of physical buttons
  • “Everything is right in front of your face” (less screen dependence)

Regenerative braking / one-pedal driving

  • Clear winner in the comparison
  • Comes with level 3 regen that can slow to a complete stop
  • More efficient/pleasing driving experience than Elroq’s B-mode approach

Charging

  • 10–80% ~27 minutes
  • DC charging:
    • Entry 120 kW
    • Up to 28 kW for larger battery
  • Home charging: 22 kW
  • Vehicle-to-load included
  • Heat pump:
    • optional, included on GT line S only (£900 option noted in subtitles)
  • Manual preconditioning for faster DC charging (both cars)

Warranties

  • Kia: 7-year warranty
  • Skoda: 3-year warranty (transferable to the next owner)
  • This was presented as a major buying consideration.

Overall vibe

Practical, comfort-focused, and tech that’s easier day-to-day (buttons + regen).

Pros / Cons (as stated)

Skoda Elroq — Pros

  • Interior quality feel: stitching and many touchpoints feel premium
  • Family practicality: spacious rear, angled seat for headroom feel, front ISOFIX
  • Storage & “Simply Clever” touches: ice-scraper/handles/cable storage noted
  • Driving comfort: no body roll; stable in corners; good steering feel (even if light)
  • Turning circle: tight and easy to park
  • Grip under acceleration: no scrabbling feel
  • Good charging top speed: 175 kW on Elroq 85
  • Heat pump available on top specs

Skoda Elroq — Cons

  • Door handles feel cheap plastic
  • Cup holders too small
  • Screen design described as dated (“sticky up screens”)
  • Some finishing feels like VW group parts bin (less bespoke)
  • Braking / regen not as strong:
    • spongier foot brake
    • regen doesn’t stop the car completely like Kia
    • fewer regen “levels”
  • No vehicle-to-load
  • Many options cost extra
  • Slightly louder road noise (20-inch wheels vs Kia’s 19s)

Kia EV3 — Pros

  • Regen braking standout: sharper feel and strong one-pedal capability to full stop
  • Easy daily usability: lots of physical controls; less screen-first interaction
  • Comfort and refinement: quieter ride attributed to 19-inch wheels
  • Buyer confidence via warranty: 7 years
  • Charging benchmark: 10–80% ~27 minutes
  • Vehicle-to-load included
  • Heat pump optional (GT line S)

Kia EV3 — Cons

  • Not all items feel as “standard thoughtful” (subtitles implied Kia lacks Elroq-style umbrella/ice-scraper extras)
  • Some comparisons suggest the EV3 interior is less “bespoke” than the Elroq
  • Road noise contrast: EV3’s refinement is implied to be better (so it’s not a true downside—more a comparison point)

Comparisons made (explicit)

  • Elroq vs EV3 for:
    • Interior feel: denim/premium stitching vs Kia’s bright/open feel
    • Usability: Skoda’s screen/controls vs Kia’s buttons and simpler operation
    • Regen braking: Kia clearly wins
    • Braking feel: Kia sharper; Elroq spongier foot brake and weaker regen
    • Space: Elroq feels more spacious rear/headroom; Kia boot usability questioned despite paper numbers
    • Boot experience: paper specs favor Elroq more, but Kia judged more usable/looks bigger
    • Warranties: Kia much stronger
    • Charging: Kia slightly faster for cited 10–80 figures
    • Options/value: Elroq has “Simply Clever” items but many cost extra; Kia includes features like vehicle-to-load

Numerical / rating details mentioned

Elroq Edition 85

  • 0–62 mph: 6.6s
  • Top speed: 111 mph
  • DC charging top speed: 175 kW
  • 10–80%: ~30 minutes
  • AC charging: up to 11 kW
  • Price shown (as equipped): £44,700

Kia EV3

  • 0–62 mph: ~7.7s
  • DC charging:
    • entry 120 kW
    • up to 28 kW for larger battery
  • 10–80%: ~27 minutes
  • AC/home: up to 22 kW
  • Warranty: 7 years
  • Elroq warranty: 3 years transferable

Boot sizes (paper)

  • Boot volume: Elroq 470 L vs EV3 460 L
  • Max with seats down: Elroq 1,580 L vs EV3 1,250 L

Overall verdict / recommendation (from the video)

  • Winner (overall): Kia EV3
  • The decision is explicitly stated: “Kia” retains the crown.
  • Main reasons emphasized:
    • Kia’s superior regen braking (one-pedal stop)
    • daily usability
    • longer warranty
    • despite Elroq’s comfortable ride and nicer-feeling interior materials in many areas.

Unique points mentioned (deduplicated)

  1. Elroq “Simply Clever” storage: handles/cable routing + ice-scraper/umbrella-style extras
  2. Elroq pricing from ~£31.5k to ~£44.7k; battery/range variants (55–77 kWh, up to 360 miles)
  3. Elroq praised interior stitching/material quality; “denim” aesthetic
  4. Elroq cons: cheap-feeling door handles; steering badge preference; small cup holders
  5. Elroq interior cons: retro “sticky up” screen; some group-parts-bin feel; plastics where touched
  6. Elroq praised: rear space/headroom feel; angled seat; front ISOFIX; rear heated seats; rear charging ports
  7. Elroq cons: regen/braking not as effective/consistent; spongy foot brake; fewer regen levels; no vehicle-to-load
  8. Elroq charging: up to 175 kW; ~30 min (10–80%); no V2L; heat pump optional
  9. Elroq driving: comfortable/stable; tight turning circle; steering slightly light; more road noise
  10. EV3 pricing from £32,990 to ~£43,819; 58.3 kWh and claimed 267 miles
  11. EV3 driving: smooth, quiet, comfortable; front-wheel drive without scrabbling feel
  12. EV3 advantage: regen braking with Level 3 to full stop
  13. EV3 advantage: many physical buttons + easier “no-faf” operation
  14. EV3 charging: ~27 min (10–80%); V2L included; heat pump optional on GT line S; up to 22 kW home
  15. EV3 warranty: 7 years vs Elroq’s 3 years transferable
  16. Boot comparison: Elroq wins paper volumes, but Kia judged more usable/looks bigger
  17. Wheels/tyres contrast: Elroq on 20s noisier; EV3 on 19s quieter
  18. Final pick after twin test: Kia EV3
  19. A “curveball” choosing between Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq was posed, but the answer was avoided.

Speakers / perspectives (as reflected in subtitles)

  • Speaker A (Nick mentioned often; comedic “Skod/Skoda” banter):

    • Focus on interior quality details, practicality, boot measurement debate, and driving feel (comfort, steering/turning circle)
    • Calls out Elroq’s door handle disappointment and regen/braking shortcomings

  • Speaker B (Vicky mentioned):

    • Focus on family usability (ISOFIX in the front seat, rear space), storage, and perceived finishing quality
    • Highlights headrests, brighter feel in EV3 rear vs Elroq, and Elroq’s more “thoughtful” elements

  • Speaker C (lead Kia/EV3 evaluation):

    • Strong emphasis on EV3’s regen braking, user-friendliness with physical controls, and warranty
    • Supports EV3 as the safer/better choice for most buyers and reinforces the overall crown-retained outcome

Original video