Škoda Enyaq RS Coupé: Why Škoda's flagship EV might be the sweet spot in the electric SUV market

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There are some cars you admire because they're fast. Others because they're clever. And then there are the rare ones that quietly win you over the more time you spend behind the wheel.

The new Škoda Enyaq RS Coupé falls squarely into that last category.

On paper, it's easy to be distracted by the headline figures. It's the most powerful production Škoda ever offered in Australia, producing 250kW of power and 545Nm of torque from its dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain.

It'll sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds, offers more than 500km of driving range, and can DC fast-charge at up to 185kW.

They're impressive numbers, for sure.

But after spending time with the Enyaq RS around Melbourne, they almost feel secondary to what this car actually does so well. Because the real story isn't how quickly it accelerates. It's how effortlessly it goes about everything else.

That's always been one of Škoda's greatest strengths. While many manufacturers chase the latest trend or biggest talking point, Škoda has quietly built its reputation on producing cars that simply make everyday life easier.

Cars that are thoughtfully engineered, beautifully packaged and refreshingly honest about what they are.

The Enyaq RS Coupé continues that tradition, unapologetically.

A design that's confident without trying too hard

Walk up to the Enyaq RS and it's immediately obvious this isn't another anonymous electric SUV.

The sleek coupé roofline gives it a far more elegant silhouette than many similarly sized family SUVs, while details like the illuminated Tech Deck front fascia, gloss-black exterior trim, and large 21-inch alloy wheels add genuine presence without feeling overstyled.

There's a restraint to the design that I really like, but it also gives off that decidedly fast-euro vibe, too.

It doesn't rely on oversized grilles, exaggerated creases or unnecessary visual drama to stand out. Instead, everything feels proportioned and intentional.

That's probably why I found myself appreciating it more every time I walked back towards it. Good design tends to age well, and I suspect the Enyaq RS will.

Performance that's genuinely enjoyable

Electric performance has become almost expected these days. Even relatively affordable EVs can produce eye-opening acceleration, so outright speed is no longer enough to distinguish one from another.

What impressed me most about the Enyaq RS was its all-round composure and surefootedness.

Yes, it's quick. Very quick. But it never feels like it's constantly encouraging you to prove it.

The steering has a reassuring weight to it, but it’s also both quick and precise at the same time. Body control is beautifully contained, thanks to Dynamic Chassis Control, but it also manages to ride with remarkable sophistication and compliance despite those enormous 21-inch wheels.

Over Melbourne's tram tracks, patched bitumen and uneven suburban roads, it still feels properly confident and comfortable. Very different from some of the newer EVs to land here. 

More importantly, it’s unmistakably European in the way it balances ride quality with driver engagement. And that’s something that can’t be overstated, because it's much harder to engineer than outright acceleration.

An interior designed by people who drive

Step inside and the first thing that struck me wasn't the technology. It was the simplicity and ergonomics of the layout, including the extra-large scrollers on each side of the perfectly-contoured steering wheel and the small Porsche-like gear shifter, freeing up the centre console.

That's a compliment these days given the unnecessarily large screens and complete lack of physical controls for functions like audio volume in particular. 

The 13-inch touchscreen (landscape) is crisp and intuitive, the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect seamlessly, and everything else falls naturally to hand. More importantly, nothing feels overcomplicated.

The sports seats deserve special mention. Heated, ventilated and exceptionally supportive, they're exactly the sort of seats that make long-distance touring feel effortless. Heavily bolstered, yet accepting of wider frames as well.

Material quality throughout the cabin is excellent, while touches like the Canton premium sound system, ambient lighting, crystal-clear digital displays, and an oversized head-up display create a cabin that feels genuinely premium without being flashy.

It's a wonderfully calming place to spend time. Perhaps that's one of the biggest surprises with modern electric vehicles. The silence changes everything.

Without an engine constantly demanding attention, you notice the quality of the ride, the refinement of the cabin, and the subtle engineering that’s lacking in conventional cars. Not a peep, nor a squeak, just absolute serenity.

The little things matter

Long before electric vehicles became fashionable, Škoda earned a loyal following for something called Simply Clever. It's more than a marketing slogan. It's a philosophy.

Rather than adding gimmicks, Škoda focuses on solving everyday problems. An umbrella tucked neatly into the driver's door saved us near the end of our shoot.

Cargo fasteners that stop shopping rolling around the boot. Thoughtful storage solutions all through the cabin. Plus a dedicated charging cable bag, and a hands-free powered tailgate that genuinely earns its keep.

None of these features will sell the car on its own. Collectively, though, they're exactly the sort of details owners appreciate years down the track.

Even with its elegant roofline, the Enyaq RS Coupé still offers 570 litres of luggage space, expanding to more than 1600 litres with the rear seats folded.

Buyers wanting even greater practicality can also choose the RS SUV, while the wider Enyaq range offers different battery sizes and price points for those who don't necessarily need the flagship performance model.

Living with it

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding electric vehicles is that they're somehow inconvenient. The reality is becoming increasingly different.

For most owners, charging overnight at home will comfortably cover an entire working week of commuting. Longer trips simply require a little planning, and with 185kW DC charging capability, the Enyaq RS can recover significant range during little more than a coffee break or bathroom stop.

After a few days with the car, I stopped thinking about charging altogether. That's probably the greatest compliment I can give it.

Verdict

The more time I spent with the Škoda Enyaq RS Coupé, the more I appreciated what it isn't trying to be.

It isn't chasing outrageous performance figures simply for bragging rights. It isn't trying to reinvent the motor car with gimmicky technology. And it certainly isn't shouting louder than everyone else in an increasingly crowded electric SUV market.

Instead, it's focused on getting the fundamentals right. It looks fantastic without being ostentatious. In the Steel Grey colourway, it gives off genuine Audi vibes, and it drives with genuine polish.

It's practical enough for family life, beautifully finished inside, and packed with the sort of thoughtful touches that make ownership genuinely enjoyable.

In many ways, the Enyaq RS Coupé feels like a very modern interpretation of what Škoda has always done best. Thoughtful engineering, honest design, and real-world usability – exactly what many buyers are looking for.

Sometimes the best cars aren't the ones making the most noise, they're the ones quietly getting everything right.

MORE: Explore the Škoda Enyaq showroom