'Strategically important'. That's how Skoda describes the waters this new Elroq swims right into, populated by outside sharks like the Volvo EX30, Smart Hashtag 1, Ford Explorer, and new Renault Scenic, and inside sharks like the VW ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron. To name but six.

Hence why it costs just £31,500 – competitively priced, you'd agree – and wears the company's fancy new design language. Skoda describes it as the electric version of the Karoq, but you can view it as a baby Enyaq, itself a very good Skoda.

So basically, it's important. Probably why it looks so serious. Skoda calls the new design 'Modern Solid' and describes it as a 'milestone' in its long history. So out goes Skoda's familiar face, and in comes slimmer, more suspicious-looking LED headlights atop an entirely new front treatment that looks ever-so-Hyundai. Imitation, fluttery, etc, etc.

There's the familiar compact SUV silhouette, framed by a small roof spoiler and a drag coefficient of just 0.26. Which is good. Though, the familiar compact SUV silhouette gives way to a not-so-compact 1,949kg notch weight. Batteries remember, are really quite heavy.

Speaking of which, this one gets three options. The entry-level Elroq '50' – that comes in at that headline £31,500 – gets a 55kWh unit powering a rear-mounted electric motor that's good for 168bhp and 229lb ft of torque. This car can run a claimed 230 miles from a single charge.

Next up is the Elroq '60', which – that's right! – gets a slightly larger 63kWh battery powering a more powerful rear-mounted e-motor to the tune of 201bhp and 229lb ft of torque. This 60 can run for “more than 250 miles” before you need to play The Charging Lottery.

Topping the range is the Elroq 85, featuring an 82kWh battery, powering a 281bhp/402lb ft electric motor mounted again on the rear. This car claims up to 360 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. And yes, you'll have spotted that all three are rear-drive cars, the former two offering a 99mph top speed, the latter a heady 111mph.

There aren't any acceleration figures as yet, but the Elroq 50 can apparently go from 10-80 per cent charge in 25 minutes on a 145kW charger. The 85 can do it in 28 mins. The cells are sited beneath the front and rear seats, Skoda claiming a low center of gravity and a cooling system identical to the bigger Enyaq.

Which points to it being decent to steer. Indeed, there'll be a 'Sportline' trim as you'd expect, which features a bespoke suspension setup – 15mm lower springs up front, 10mm lower at the back, specially tuned dampers – along with progressive steering.

A little less progressive inside, by which we mean, it conforms to 2024's interior design rules: Massive Touchscreen. It's a monster of a unit, atop the center part of the dash, measuring 13in and able to operate everything you'd require like the air-con, sat nav, music and so on. Apparently it offers “a clearer menu structure”, and mirrors the interface introduced on the other Skodia aqs (Enyaq and Kodiaq).

There's also a head-up and digital display for the driver, lots of assistance, and lots of space – 470-liters of boot space with the seats up, and 1,580 liters with them folded down. Naturally you get recycled materials because this is 2024. And naturally you also get an ice scraper and tire tread depth gauge, an umbrella in the door, more space in the form of storage boxes and holding hooks because this is A Skoda.

So, the 50 SE starts from £31,500, while the next-one up – the SE L, available on the 60 – starts from £33,350. The latter car gets heated fronted seats, sat nav, better climate control and front parking sensors.

After that comes the Elroq 'Edition', starting from £34,450, available on the 60 and 85 (£38,650), adding different 19s, dark chrome accents, predictive adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, keyless entry and a few other goodies.

Topping the range is the Elroq Sportline, as either a 60 (£37,400) or 85 (£41,600). This car runs 20s, matrix LED lights, and gloss black detailing around the car.

“At a very competitive starting price, the Elroq is one of the most affordable vehicles in its segment across Europe, achieving price parity with its ICE counterpart in many markets,” said Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer. 'Strategically important' markets, don't forget.