Skoda and Hankook create ideal family SUV in Enyaq iV

Skoda has a longstanding faith in SUVs that goes all the way back to its Yeti.

This model introduced thousands of drivers and families to the versatility and ease of life with this type of car, and now the Enyaq iV is doing the same thing all over again, this time with the added benefit of zero tailpipe emissions thanks to its electric power.

Regardless of what’s used to turn the Enyaq’s wheels, it’s a Skoda first and foremost, and that means it has practicality written through it like a stick of rock. Everywhere you look, there’s evidence of how much thought Skoda’s designers have put into this car.

To find an example of this, just take a peek in the front doors where you find hidden pockets to hold umbrellas just where you need them when you step out into a sudden downpour. Another neat touch is the combined ice scraper and tyre tread depth gauge that comes with the car.

When you check the tyres, you’ll find they are the Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV from Hankook. They have been specifically designed for use with EVs and are ideal for Skoda’s first battery-powered SUV as they deliver a blend of grip, comfort, quiet and durability.

They are also designed to work ideally with the instant power offered by an EV’s motor, so you don’t ever have to worry about the Enyaq iV scrabbling for control when you pull away.

The Skoda is further helped by a driving range of up to 339 miles that lets you travel further between recharges than many of its EV rivals. The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV tyres play their part here with minimising resistance as they pass over the road surface to give the most efficient drive. As a result, you can forget about range anxiety and simply enjoy the journey.

Just as vitally with an SUV, the Enyaq provides a superbly comfortable drive, so it feels great whether you’re the one at the steering wheel or enjoying the generous space in the rear seats. This makes the Skoda a brilliant family SUV and there’s a wide mix of interior trims, materials, finishes and options to fit it out exactly how you want it.

On the outside, the Enyaq iV follows Skoda’s mantra of subtle looks with just a hint of what the car is capable of. As a result, the Enyaq is a more considered and sleek design than some of the others in its class, yet it also looks great wherever you park up. From Saturday mornings with the kids’ activities to a night out on the town, the Enyaq pulls it off with graceful ease.

With so much going in its favour, you might think Skoda will ask a lot for a car with so many talents. However, the Enyaq iV is one of the most affordable SUVs in its class, and one that shows Skoda’s faith in SUVs has more than paid off.

It shows in the superb cornering ability of each, as well as their arrow-straight stability at high speed thanks to the Ultra Ultra High Performance design developed on the challenging Nürburgring race track in Germany. On top of all this, these innovative tyres also help the two BMWs deliver fuel economy that most high performance cars can only dream of, so you can use the X3 M and X4 M every day, all year round.

That is an amazing achievement, which is only outdone by the ability of the X3 M and X4 M SUVs to make such sensational performance approachable, usable and enjoyable in the real world.