Skoda takes aim at Toyota’s struggling EV

Skoda has called out mainstream manufacturers, claiming its new Elroq electric SUV undercuts conventional brands on price while offering a stronger overall package. The Czech brand also insists it’ll continue catering for budget buyers even as its range shifts toward EVs.

Speaking at the 2025 Skoda Elroq’s Australian launch last week, the Czech brand’s local marketing and product boss Kieran Merrigan said the marque deliberately priced its second EV to offer sharper value than traditional rivals.

“We’ve seen that from the conventional brands, our car is priced, I would say, significantly more affordable and better positioned,” he told carsales.

“I understand bZ4X is not a super successful model from a volume perspective, but it is [from] by far the leading brand in the market.

“If that’s what they’re producing as their electric vehicle, I think we’re significantly a better value package, and that’s what we have confidence in.”

The new Elroq, which starts from $54,990 before on-road costs, pairs a claimed 592km range with complimentary charging cables and an eight-year battery warranty, which the brand says makes it a strong value proposition.

Skoda also insists it won’t leave price-sensitive buyers behind as electrification ramps up.

“I’d still be confident we’ll support them (budget buyers) in the future,” Merrigan said.

The Fabia recently returned as a sub-$30,000 drive-away offering, while the related Kamiq SUV, which just two years ago started from $37,000, now kicks off from $29,990.

With the upcoming Epiq small SUV also positioned as an affordable entry point, Skoda is confident it can stay competitive.

“Absolutely, it will be more affordable,” Merrigan said of the Epiq. “It will have smaller batteries; we know that a huge cost of an electric vehicle are the batteries.”

Skoda’s EV and hybrid rollout continues to expand its local line-up, with the Epiq small SUV and production version of the seven-seat Vision 7S SUV both due in 2027.

Mild hybrid versions of the Kodiaq, Superb and Octavia will arrive in 2026, alongside performance-focused EVs like the Elroq RS and Enyaq RS.

The brand is entering a market where new entrants, particularly Chinese EVs, are gradually infiltrating the top 10 best-sellers list; BYD, MG, and other challengers are carving out a foothold thanks to ultra-competitive pricing, forcing traditional brands to rethink value to stay relevant.

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