2025 Skoda Enyaq EV to be Coupe only in Australia

Skoda Australia is starting from the top with its upcoming 2025 Skoda Enyaq SUV, which marks the beginning of a four-model EV onslaught from the Czech brand.

Skoda will only launch the Enyaq in our market with the sleeker Coupe body style, leaving the more traditional wagon body on the back burner – for now, at least.

Skoda Australia marketing manager Kieran Merrigan said it was all about finding some clear air in the increasingly busy EV space and giving the Enyaq a point of difference against key rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Toyota bZ4X and upcoming ID.4 and ID.5 from sister brand Volkswagen.

The Enyaq and ID.4 and ID.5 share underbody components.

“We want to launch with that first because it’s going to be our hero car,” he said of the Enyaq Coupe that’s due in dealerships around October or November, adding that the boxier SUV is a “work in progress”.

“Nothing is off the table at this stage.”

As well as the regular 210kW rear-drive Enyaq at the entry level, Skoda will also launch with the more potent Enyaq RS that adds a front motor and makes 250kW for 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.5 seconds.

In line with its positioning in the broader market, Skoda wants European design and manufacturing and value to carve a niche for the Enyaq as the brand looks to its EVs to grow overall sales beyond 10,000 vehicles annually.

Skoda Australia managing director Michael Irmer said the company wants sales in the EV space to be to commensurate with the brand’s overall penetration.

That suggests something like 10 per cent of Skoda’s overall sales, or around 1000 cars annually, at least initially.

“I think we’re going to see good volume,” said Irmer. “It’s a great package, it looks and drives really well.”

Of course, the big question is how much the Enyaq will cost.

Pricing is playing a key role in the take-up of EVs, with more affordable models – especially from Tesla – typically dominating sales.

Skoda is guarded about where the Enyaq will sit from a pricing perspective, but Irmer said he wants it to be “a smidge under” the equivalent Volkswagen ID.4 or ID.5.

That would suggest something starting around $70,000, possibly slightly higher.

But the company is in no rush to show its hand, especially in light of Ford and Subaru recently slashing up to 10 per cent off the prices of their respective Mustang Mach-E and Solterra before customer deliveries kicked off.

“We always look at the competition when we price the vehicles,” said Irmer. “For the volatile nature of this space I think it’s important to not go out too early [with pricing].”

The Enyaq is only the start of an electric car onslaught for Skoda that will also take in the Elroq small SUV and even an all-electric wagon previewed as the Combi concept.

But it’s the recently unveiled Epiq that will be the EV price leader for Skoda.

The company is targeting a Euro 25,000 start price in Europe, something that teases a circa-$41,000 ask in Australia.

But Irmer cautioned that’s unlikely because as with other Skodas – and many rivals – there will likely be a higher specification for cars sold in Australia.

“You need to compare apples with apples,” he said.

“We really want the car,” he added. “It’s not confirmed for Australia yet, but we’re working on it.”

And whereas the Enyaq’s arrival is running years behind its overseas launch, Skoda says the imminent introduction of a mandatory vehicle efficiency standard means Australia will be well placed to get hold of cars within a couple of months of their European on-sale.

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