The name itself tells a story. vRS stands for ‘victory Rally Sport’ – a nod to Škoda’s rich motorsport heritage that stretches back to the hand-built 130 RS homologation specials of the mid-1970s. In the UK, the ‘v’ was added at Ford’s request (the American brand claiming prior ownership of the RS initials here), but that small prefix has since become a badge of honour in its own right. One in ten new Škodas sold in Britain today wears it.Over the past quarter-century, vRS has been applied to hot hatches, diesel estate cars, plug-in hybrid family saloons, and even a seven-seat SUV that lapped the Nürburgring faster than any production vehicle of its kind before. Each iteration has stayed true to the founding principle: formidable all-round ability, without a pulse-raising price tag. The new Škoda Enyaq vRS is no different – it just happens to be the most audacious expression of that philosophy yet.Better still, the new Enyaq vRS is not only a more capable car than the model it replaces – it’s a less expensive one too. With 340PS, a 344-mile range (WLTP), and rapid charging at up to 185kW, it undercuts its predecessor’s price by around £1500. That’s a statement of intent that no rival in this class has managed to match.AdvertisementAdvertisementLearn more about the Škoda Enyaq vRSSeriously, properly quickThe numbers alone make a compelling case. Two electric motors – one on each axle – combine to deliver 340PS and a substantial 545Nm of torque. All-wheel drive is standard. The result is a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds: genuinely brisk by any measure, and the kind of performance that would have been considered exotic in a family SUV even five years ago.But the Enyaq vRS’s performance credentials go deeper than a sprint time. Standard fitment of Škoda’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) – with 15 adjustable levels of damper stiffness – means the car can be tuned precisely to the driver’s preference and the road conditions at hand. The suspension has been lowered and stiffened versus the standard Enyaq, with thicker anti-roll bars front and rear delivering more resolute body control through corners. The progressive dynamic steering quickens and weights up satisfyingly as pace increases.The overall character is one of deep, assured composure. Overtakes arrive almost instantaneously, the twin motors’ torque hitting with a smooth but insistent surge that dispatches slower traffic without drama. On any road, in any weather, the Enyaq vRS covers ground with an unhurried authority that’s genuinely impressive. The all-wheel drive system’s rear torque bias keeps things balanced and planted, and the regen paddles behind the steering wheel allow the driver to dial in their preferred level of energy recovery on the move.Range and charging that mean businessOne of the most significant improvements in the new Enyaq vRS concerns real-world usability. The 84kWh battery – with 79kWh of usable capacity – delivers a WLTP-rated range of 344 miles, a substantial jump from the 296 miles offered by the outgoing model. For context, that comfortably exceeds the Kia EV6 AWD’s 339-mile range.AdvertisementAdvertisementCharging has also taken a meaningful step forward. Maximum DC rapid-charging speed climbs to 185kW – up from 135kW previously – meaning a 10–80% charge takes around 26 minutes at a compatible rapid charger. Škoda’s Smart Schedule feature allows drivers to set charging around cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs, while the Remote Charging app provides live charge-status monitoring from your smartphone.A cabin that rewards the detail-obsessedStep inside the Enyaq vRS and the sporting intent is immediately apparent, but never overwrought. The standard vRS Suite interior wraps the cabin in black perforated leather with grey piping, while ventilated sports seats hug front occupants securely on faster roads. The three-spoke leather sports steering wheel is specific to vRS, with regen paddles and vRS badging on the lower spoke. Carbon-effect trim completes the look.Both front seats are electrically adjustable with memory function and massage – a class-leading combination at this price point. The driving position itself is excellent: lower and more snug than many tall SUVs, with generous steering column adjustment that allows drivers of all shapes to find their ideal setup quickly. The result is a car that feels purposeful and driver-focused from the moment you settle in.Technology is comprehensive and logically deployed. The 13in touchscreen infotainment system is crisp and responsive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, and Škoda Connect’s suite of remote services. An augmented reality head-up display projects speed, navigation arrows, and adaptive cruise control data directly onto the road ahead. The CANTON premium sound system – 13 speakers tuned specifically for the Enyaq’s cabin acoustics – is as good as anything offered by rivals at significantly higher price points.‘Smart and Spacious’ thinkingAdvertisementAdvertisementHere is where the Enyaq vRS lands its most decisive blow against the performance SUV establishment. The sporting specification takes absolutely nothing away from the regular Enyaq’s class-leading practicality. The boot holds 585 litres with all seats in place – or a cavernous 1710 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Remote-folding rear seats can be dropped via a button in the boot, removing the need to walk around the car. Optional cargo nets, a variable-height boot floor, and Škoda’s cargo elements system keep luggage secure and organised.Rear-seat space remains genuinely generous. Adults of six feet and above will find ample headroom and leg room, with the wide cabin comfortably accommodating three adults across. Tri-zone climate control, rear sunblinds, and USB-C ports front and rear (45W, data and charging) ensure long-distance comfort for every occupant.Škoda’s ‘Smart, Spacious and Stylish’ details remain a highlight throughout. The driver’s door houses a dedicated umbrella compartment with a self-draining channel. Felt-lined door bins suppress rattles at speed. The central armrest conceals a generously sized storage compartment. An illuminated Tech-Deck Face discreetly integrates the driver assistance sensors into car’s nose, keeping the exterior clean and uncluttered.A performance flagship that actually makes financial senseAt £52,470 OTR, the Enyaq vRS demands serious consideration against its nearest rivals. The Kia EV6 GT-Line S AWD sits in the same territory. A Tesla Model Y Long Range is closely matched on price. A Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is cheaper but noticeably less well equipped. What the Enyaq vRS offers that few rivals can match is the combination: this level of standard specification, this level of performance, this level of range, and this level of practicality, in a single package.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor company car drivers, the picture is particularly compelling. All Enyaq models sit in the 4% Benefit-in-Kind band for the 2026/27 tax year – a figure that makes even the vRS extraordinarily cost-effective as a company vehicle. A 40% taxpayer running the Enyaq vRS as a company car faces a monthly BiK bill that would make the driver of an equivalent PHEV wince with envy.The all-rounder, perfectedThe vRS badge has always written a specific kind of promise, and the Enyaq vRS honours it with real conviction. It is quicker, better equipped, longer-ranging, and faster-charging than its predecessor – and it costs less. In a market where more often means more expensive, that’s a real triumph.More than two decades after that first Octavia vRS showed the world how thrilling a high performance – yet still affordable and practical – Škoda could be, the Enyaq vRS makes the same argument with electrifying conviction. It covers ground with authority, accommodates families with ease, connects with technology that genuinely enhances every journey, and does all of it for a price that undercuts the establishment.Learn more about the Škoda Enyaq vRS]]>
+65 others
