Škoda’s new electric flagship arrives with seven seats, nearly 400 miles of claimed range, and enough practicality to make a Swiss Army knife look under-equipped.
Who doesn’t appreciate a car that tells you exactly what it is?
The Smart Fortwo was a smart car for two. The Hyundai Coupe was, well, a coupe. And now Škoda gives us the Peaq—a name that leaves little room for interpretation. It’s the biggest, most luxurious, and most expensive model the Czech automaker has ever produced. No marketing gymnastics required.
Of course, naming conventions get a little confusing when the Peaq arrives alongside the much smaller Epiq, but that’s a problem for Škoda’s branding department. The important part is that the Peaq represents the brand’s most ambitious electric vehicle yet, and after getting behind the wheel of a prototype ahead of its official reveal, it’s clear Škoda isn’t interested in merely participating in the growing electric SUV segment. It wants to lead it.
Modern Solid, Maximum Presence
Scheduled for its full debut on June 23 in southeastern France, the seven-seat Peaq will become the fourth member of Škoda’s expanding EV lineup. Measuring nearly 193 inches long (4.9 meters), it’s around 10 inches longer than the Enyaq and more than 4 inches longer than the combustion-powered Kodiaq.
The styling introduces Škoda’s latest “Modern Solid” design language on its largest canvas yet. Preview sketches reveal a striking front end defined by the brand’s illuminated Tech-Deck Face, distinctive T-shaped LED lighting signatures, thick rear pillars, and a dramatic front fascia that Škoda designers describe as “volcano-shaped.”
While our heavily camouflaged prototype kept some secrets hidden, its proportions closely mirror those of the Vision 7S concept that previewed both the Peaq and Škoda’s new design direction. The result is cleaner, bolder, and more confident than previous Škoda SUVs without resorting to unnecessary visual theatrics.
As Karl Neuhold, the designer responsible for the exterior, explains, the goal was to create a vehicle with “clean lines, balanced proportions and distinctive elements.” Translation: fewer gimmicks, more substance.
Bigger Than a Kodiaq, Smarter Than Before
Underneath sits an extended version of Volkswagen Group’s familiar MEB electric architecture. Think Enyaq, but stretched and optimized for family-hauling duty.
Three powertrains are expected. Entry-level “60” models will pair a 59-kWh battery with a 201-hp rear-mounted motor. Above that sits what is likely to become the sweet spot of the range: a rear-wheel-drive version with 282 horsepower and an 86-kWh battery offering more than 380 miles of claimed range.
At the top of the lineup, the dual-motor 90X adds all-wheel drive and bumps output to 295 hp.
Fast charging peaks at an impressive 195 kW, helping the Peaq remain competitive against rivals like the Peugeot E-5008 while significantly undercutting premium alternatives such as the Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Volvo EX90. Pricing is expected to land between £50,000 and £60,000 in the UK.
And yes, when asked about a future vRS performance version, Škoda executives responded with knowing smiles and a carefully chosen “anything is possible.” We’ll take that as a very strong maybe.
The Most Technological Skoda Yet
Beyond its size, the Peaq introduces a long list of firsts for the brand.
There’s one-pedal driving. Vehicle-to-load charging. An electrochromic panoramic roof. Magnetic wireless phone chargers. A reclining “Relax” seat package complete with a fold-out table. A premium Sonos audio system. Even the flush door handles are electrically deployable and feature a self-extracting function if frozen.
Inside, the centerpiece is a new 13.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen—the first vertical display fitted to a Škoda. The layout is logical enough: navigation and camera functions occupy the upper section within easy sightlines, while climate and shortcut controls remain lower down for easier reach.
It works well, though the vertical orientation comes with one casualty: Škoda’s wonderfully tactile Smart Dials, which don’t fit beneath the screen. That’s a shame because they remain one of the cleverest infotainment solutions in the industry.
Room for Seven—Sort Of
The stretched wheelbase pays immediate dividends inside.
Compared with the Kodiaq, second-row passengers gain over two inches of additional legroom, while third-row occupants benefit from a meaningful increase in available space. Adults won’t be volunteering for cross-country journeys back there, but children will have little reason to complain.
Cargo capacity remains a strong suit. Even with all seven seats in place, there’s 299 liters of storage available. Fold the third row and capacity expands to a substantial 935 liters. There’s also a small 35-liter front trunk, though realistically it will spend most of its life housing charging cables.
Which is exactly what most owners will want.
Surprisingly Agile for Something This Large
Out on the roads around Italy’s Lake Como, the Peaq immediately feels familiar—in the best possible way.
Essentially, it drives like a larger Enyaq.
That means composed handling, sensible chassis tuning, and a degree of maneuverability that seems at odds with its dimensions. The rear-wheel-drive version’s turning circle measures just 9.9 meters—actually tighter than a Volkswagen Golf’s—and it shows. Tight urban streets and crowded parking areas present surprisingly little challenge.
Steering is nicely weighted and responsive enough to disguise some of the vehicle’s considerable mass. Ride quality remains a standout. Despite the absence of air suspension, the prototype absorbed broken pavement and rough surfaces with impressive composure, even while riding on 20-inch wheels.
Adaptive dampers are available, offering 14 different settings between Comfort and Sport. Unsurprisingly, the middle setting proves best. Sport introduces unnecessary nervousness, while Comfort becomes a touch too relaxed. The default calibration strikes the most natural balance.
Plenty of Power, Plenty of Sense
Our test vehicle used the 282-hp rear-drive setup, and it feels entirely adequate.
Škoda claims a 0–62 mph time of 7.1 seconds, though the more impressive achievement is how smoothly the power is delivered. Rather than launching occupants into the headrests at every green light, the Peaq accelerates with a linear, progressive character that feels mature and well judged.
In a market increasingly obsessed with eye-watering power figures and sub-five-second acceleration times, that restraint is refreshing.
The rear-drive model also appears likely to offer the best balance of performance, range, and refinement. The entry-level version may struggle under full passenger loads, while the all-wheel-drive flagship sacrifices some efficiency for gains many buyers may rarely exploit.
Early Verdict
Škoda views the Peugeot E-5008 as the Peaq’s most direct competitor, and it’s easy to see why. The electric seven-seat SUV market remains surprisingly thin, populated mostly by expensive premium offerings and a growing number of Chinese challengers.
If the finished production car remains faithful to what we’ve experienced here, the Peaq could quickly establish itself as one of the segment’s benchmark offerings.
It’s spacious, thoughtfully engineered, packed with genuinely useful technology, and drives with the calm confidence that has become a Škoda trademark.
Most importantly, it doesn’t try too hard to reinvent the family SUV formula. Instead, it simply executes it exceptionally well.
For a company whose motto is “Simply Clever,” that feels entirely appropriate.
Source: Škoda
