We’ve heard a great deal about electrification among Volkswagen Group brands in the past few years.

A commitment to producing a new range of electric cars across all its brands resulted in accelerated development of a new electric vehicle platform. We have already seen the ID3 and ID4 from Volkswagen, Audi is about to launch the Q4 E-tron in the UK, Cupra will add the Born to its line-up, while Skoda’s Enyaq iV has just arrived on our shores.

We have already tried the ID3 and ID4, both of which are practical and competent. If you could level any major criticism at them, it is perhaps that they have been designed to create a new visual identity within the VW range, and are perhaps a little gimmicky with the pause and play symbols on the pedals, and the twist-to-go dashboard-mounted drive selector.

It’s interesting to see how the same fundamentals are deployed by individual brands, and how they put their stamps on it.

Skoda’s Enyaq iV – ‘intelligent vehicle’, bringing it in line with plug-in hybrid models elsewhere in the range – looks like it belongs in the current model line-up of Scala, Octavia and Superb models, and not at all quirky.

Customers can choose between two power and range versions: the 60 produces 179hp and can travel for up to 256 miles according to WLTP, with the 204hp 80 capable of 332 miles. A range-topping VRS version with 306hp and all-wheel drive will follow.

When they’ve chosen one or other, the next decision is over the interior appearance, with Loft as standard and Lodge, Lounge, Suite, and Ecosuite as modifications. The Sportline is a standalone variant, and sacrifices a little range over the other 204hp versions, but not a meaningful amount.

The Loft interior combines black and grey tones, while in Lodge, seat covers are made of 40% natural new wool with the Woolmark Company quality seal and 60% polyester from recycled PET bottles.

Lounge seats have soft suede finish along with mustard stitching throughout, while the dashboard is topped by a microfibre fabric to complement the seats.

Suite has black leather seats with contrasting cognac-coloured stitching and piping, and black decorative trim, while Ecosuite has cognac brown leather ecoSuite interior that has been tanned using eco-friendly olive trees as opposed to chemicals.

Sportline has black sports seats with integrated headrests upholstered in Alcantara and leather with grey piping and a similar treatment for the dashboard, as well as aluminium pedals.

Choices then extend to various option packs, which may be selected as a combination. The list is extensive, with some offering different levels (Comfort Seat Package, Comfort Seat Package Plus, Family Package Basic, Family Package Plus, and many more), so anyone choosing an Enyaq might well need a few days to think it over.

It does mean the 60 qualifies for the plug-in car grant, as its on-the-road price is just under the £35,000 threshold and factory-fitted options are excluded from the total.

The Enyaq measures 4,649mm long (the body kit on the Sportline makes it a touch longer) and 1,879mm wide, excluding mirrors. It’s tall-sided body gives it a hint of SUV, but it really is more of a tall estate car. A long wheelbase and flat floor provides a spacious cabin, while luggage capacity of 585 litres can be extended to 1,710 litres with the rear seats folded.

Instrumentation is shown via a small digital screen ahead of the driver, although a head-up display can also be specified, with augmented reality prompts from the navigation system showing exits more clearly.

The 179hp Enyaq accelerates from 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds with the 204hp version achieving the benchmark in 8.5 seconds. Drive for these initial versions comes from a single electric motor on the rear axle with drive through the rear wheels. More powerful variants in future will come with an additional motor on the front axle and all-wheel drive.

The electric vehicle platform and the absence of an internal combustion engine up front allows Skoda to distribute the weight almost equally between the front and rear axles, helping the car feel more composed and balanced on the move.

We were able to drive more than 200 miles collectively in both 60 and 80 variants, and in reality there is little to choose in the performance between them. The drive is generally smooth and silent, with strong acceleration available for overtaking slow traffic when needed.

We like that Skoda has retained a row of physical buttons below the larch dashboard touchscreen, making the selection of certain functions easier.

Only the 80 variant is capable of accepting 125kW rapid charges, however, which sees capacity boosted to 80% in less than 40 minutes. But the 60, with less range, can be rapid charged at 100kW, achieving 80% capacity in a similar time. The 60 can be charged in nine and a half hours from empty using a 7.4kW domestic wall box, while the 80 takes 13 hours, meaning both should comfortably reach a full charge after being plugged in overnight at home.

Overall, the Enyaq stacks up as an impressive family car and, complex configurations aside, is probably the best car we’ve encountered in a long time. The 60 will suit the needs of most drivers that can use EVs, while the 80 offers a reassuring range boost.

Skoda Enyaq iV 60 Nav Suite 

P11D: £34,440

Residual value: 44.3%

Depreciation: £16,692*

Fuel: £1,674

Service, maintenance and repair: £1,952

Cost per mile: 33.9p

Range: 256 miles

CO2 (BIK %): 0g/km (1%) 

BIK 20/40% a month: £6/£12

Luggage capacity: 585 litres

Battery capacity/power: 62kWh/179hp

* Adjusted for £2,500 plug-in car grant