I didn't approach the Skoda Elroq with particularly high expectations. It’s a small-ish to mid-sized electric SUV from a brand that’s never really set my pulse racing, and I knew precious little about it beforehand. But sometimes the cars that aren’t the snazziest on paper end up being the most pleasant companions.

First impressions are positive. There’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel with a chunky grip that feels substantial, and the cabin is awash with leather, giving it a properly premium feel. The new Skoda logo across the steering wheel hub looks modern and different – a nice touch that suggests the Czech brand is moving with the times.

The central display is big and square-on, not angled toward the driver. Some of the controls are slightly odd in their placement, but nothing that a week of ownership wouldn’t sort out. There’s a useful cupholder-armrest combo and all the usual modern gubbins you’d expect.

Excellent visibility

What really impressed me was the visibility, which is excellent from the driver’s seat – something that’s becoming increasingly rare in modern SUVs. The electrically adjustable seats are easy to get comfortable in, and the wing mirrors are crystal clear. Over-the-shoulder visibility is good too, and there’s blind spot monitoring to back up what your eyes are telling you.

Being electric, there’s a good bit of power on tap, and the seat support is pretty decent too, so comfort isn’t an issue during longer drives. The Elroq strikes a nice balance – it’s got enough grunt to make progress feel effortless, but it’s not trying to be something it’s not.

Here’s where I found myself quite impressed: the Elroq doesn’t try to be your nanny. It’s not overly governing and, crucially, it doesn’t try to keep you in lane if you forget to indicate. I genuinely can’t stand cars that try to decide where to go on their own. The Elroq lets you drive, which is refreshing.

Competent handling

The handling is surprisingly competent too. It’s not a massive, tall SUV, so it doesn’t have the roll issues that plague some of its larger siblings. Cornering feels confident and controlled, with nice support from the seats when you’re pressing on a bit. It was smooth over rough surfaces, though there is a fair amount of noise coming into the cabin. Through the bends, it feels capable and reassuring. It’s not sporty, but then it’s not meant to be sporty.

Space is very comfortable up front, and the back looks pretty decent too. It’s not the most spacious thing in its class, but then it’s a small-to-mid-size car, so that’s perfectly acceptable. The only thing missing is a sunroof or panoramic roof, which would make the cabin feel bigger.

The voice control system caught me off guard – as soon as I mentioned the car’s name during a voice note, it sprang into action, offering help with various functions. I had to complete the rest of my thoughts without using the car’s name, which was mildly amusing.

Very likeable

All in all, the Elroq is very likeable. There’s nothing exceptional about it, but equally, there’s nothing to complain about either. In a world of increasingly complex and overbearing cars, there’s something refreshing about a vehicle that simply gets on with the job without fuss or drama.