On the Road
The Southern Highlands provided the perfect backdrop to put the Enyaq RS through its paces, offering a mix of highway cruising, twisty mountain roads, and a few stretches of less-than-perfect asphalt. Starting in Bundanoon and making my way to Berry via Fitzroy Falls, the Enyaq RS demonstrated just how versatile it is across varying conditions. On the highway, the punchy acceleration was immediately noticeable—Skoda’s dual electric motor setup delivering seamless, instant power that makes overtaking a breeze.
As I headed toward Jamberoo Mountain Road, the rain started to fall, and the twisty, narrow roads became the perfect test for the Enyaq’s all-wheel-drive system and braking capabilities. The RS is equipped with a progressive braking system that works in tandem with regenerative braking, giving you three levels of regen to choose from. While some EVs can feel jerky under heavy regen, the Enyaq RS strikes a good balance, especially in its middle setting. The transition from regen to mechanical braking is smooth and predictable, which is exactly what you want when navigating hairpin turns in the rain.
Despite the challenging conditions, the Enyaq RS never felt out of its depth. Skoda’s electronic stability program and traction control worked quietly in the background, detecting any slip and making small adjustments to ensure the car remained planted. The only minor gripe was the slight hesitation when accelerating out of tighter corners—it takes a moment for the power to fully engage after you’ve started unwinding the wheel. But you’d rather this than torque steering into a bush, so play on Skoda.
Driving back through Robertson, I got the chance to appreciate the Enyaq RS’s adaptive suspension at lower speeds. The roads here are far from perfect, but the suspension soaked up the imperfections without transmitting too much to the cabin. It’s a testament to how well-engineered the RS is—on the one hand, it’s sporty and engaging, but on the other, it’s more than capable of handling the real-world roads most people will be driving on.
Then there’s the driving comfort. Skoda has really nailed the ergonomics in the RS. The seats, supportive yet plush, held me in place during the more spirited sections, and the heated steering wheel and seats were a welcome luxury after a wet, chilly day in the Highlands. As much as the Enyaq RS is about performance, it’s equally a comfortable SUV.
A final note on the wheels: while the 21-inch alloys look fantastic, especially with the anthracite finish, the low-profile tyres might be a bit overkill for day-to-day driving. On smoother roads, they feel fine, but hit a few potholes, and you might start to wish for a bit more sidewall to cushion the ride. Personally, I think 20-inch wheels would be the sweet spot for the RS, which would still retain its sporty look without sacrificing too much in terms of ride comfort.
Verdict
In an increasingly crowded EV market, it can be difficult for any one model to stand out, but the Skoda Enyaq RS manages to do just that. It’s not just about numbers on a spec sheet—though with 250kW of power, a 530km range, and a sub-six-second sprint to 100 km/h, the numbers are certainly impressive. What truly sets the Enyaq RS apart is its ability to deliver an engaging, dynamic driving experience while remaining true to Skoda’s core values of practicality and value for money.
The RS badge has always meant more than just extra horsepower—it’s about a more complete driving experience. And in the Enyaq RS, Skoda has brought that ethos into the electric age. Whether you’re carving through winding roads in the Southern Highlands or cruising on the freeway, the Enyaq RS feels like it’s built to handle whatever Australia’s roads might throw at it. Yet it never forgets the day-to-day practicality that makes Skoda such a compelling brand. With its spacious, well-thought-out interior, advanced tech features like the augmented reality HUD, and a long list of standard safety features, the Enyaq RS is as much a family-friendly SUV as it is a performance machine.
For those who don’t need the full muscle of the RS, the Enyaq Sportline is a compelling alternative. With 210kW on tap and a rear-wheel-drive setup, the Sportline still offers plenty of punch, all while delivering an even longer range of up to 561km on the WLTP cycle. Priced lower than the RS, the Sportline maintains many of the same features that make the RS special, including its striking design, intuitive infotainment system, and impressive build quality. For buyers looking to strike a balance between performance and range, the Sportline offers a sweet spot in the lineup.
Of course, with any EV, there are the usual considerations about charging infrastructure and range anxiety, but the Enyaq’s modular, repairable battery system and Jetcharge partnership for home charging help ease those concerns. Skoda has also ensured that the Enyaq is backed by a robust service network—something not all new EV brands can claim. And with a seven-year unlimited-kilometer warranty, plus an eight-year battery warranty, it’s clear that Skoda is playing the long game with its EV strategy.
The Enyaq RS may not offer the outright lunacy of some high-performance EVs, but that’s not the point. Skoda has never been about excess for the sake of it. What the Enyaq RS delivers is balance: a blend of performance, comfort, practicality, and style that makes it a well-rounded choice in a segment often dominated by flashier names. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t need to shout about its abilities—it just gets on with the job, whether that’s tackling the daily commute, a family road trip, or a weekend drive through the mountains.
In the end, the Enyaq RS, like the Sportline, exemplifies what Skoda does best: offering a vehicle that punches well above its weight in terms of value, performance, and practicality. As Australia continues to embrace electric vehicles, the Enyaq, in both RS and Sportline trims, is perfectly positioned to become a major player in the market. It’s an EV that does everything, and it does it with aplomb.
