For decades, Skoda has built its reputation on offering sensible, spacious and brilliantly practical cars at prices that don’t require a second mortgage. Now, however, the Czech brand is aiming significantly higher.
Meet the all-new Skoda Peaq – a flagship seven-seat electric SUV that not only becomes the largest vehicle in the company’s history, but also its most luxurious and technologically advanced model to date.
If the Enyaq marked Skoda’s serious entry into the electric era, the Peaq signals something even more significant: the brand’s intention to compete in territory traditionally occupied by premium manufacturers.
Bigger than a Kodiaq, More Luxurious than Ever
At almost five metres long, the Peaq sits comfortably above both the Enyaq and Kodiaq in the Skoda hierarchy. It is designed primarily for families who need genuine seven-seat practicality but are unwilling to compromise on comfort, technology or style.
The newcomer takes heavy inspiration from the striking Vision 7S concept first shown in 2022, and much of that concept’s boldness has successfully made the transition to production. The result is a vehicle that feels considerably more sophisticated than any previous Skoda.
Gone are the softer, more conservative lines of old. In their place is the brand’s latest “Modern Solid” design philosophy, characterised by crisp surfaces, upright proportions and a more confident stance.
The front end is dominated by Skoda’s distinctive Tech-Deck Face – an evolution of the traditional grille that conceals sensors and driver assistance technology behind a clean, minimalist panel. Slim lighting signatures and sharply sculpted bodywork give the Peaq a premium presence that would not look out of place parked outside an Alpine ski resort.
There are even hints of more exotic machinery in its silhouette. From certain angles, the Peaq recalls the futuristic styling of vehicles such as the Rivian R1S or Lucid Gravity, yet it still remains unmistakably a Skoda.
Designed Around Families
As expected from a company famous for its “Simply Clever” philosophy, practicality remains central to the Peaq’s appeal.
Seven seats come as standard, with Skoda promising generous accommodation in all three rows. Unlike many large SUVs where the rearmost seats are best reserved for children or emergency use, the Peaq has been engineered to offer meaningful space for adults.
Boot capacity is equally impressive. Even with all seats in use, luggage space is expected to surpass many rivals, while folding the third row creates a cavernous load area capable of swallowing everything from holiday luggage to flat-pack furniture. Skoda quotes up to 890 litres of storage with the third row folded.
Expect the cabin to feature the brand’s latest infotainment software, extensive use of sustainable materials and a substantial increase in perceived quality compared with existing models.
Higher-spec versions are likely to offer premium features including massaging seats, advanced ambient lighting, panoramic glass roofing and high-end audio systems.
Range and Performance to Rival the Best
Underneath the bodywork sits the Volkswagen Group’s latest MEB electric architecture, shared with several other large EVs across the group. Buyers will reportedly be offered multiple battery and powertrain options, with range figures expected to exceed 370 miles in flagship guise.
Rear-wheel-drive models are expected to form the backbone of the range, while more powerful all-wheel-drive variants should deliver close to 300bhp. Rapid charging capabilities approaching 200kW will also ensure long-distance journeys remain practical.
Importantly, Skoda appears determined to preserve the value-for-money ethos that has underpinned its success.
While the Peaq is set to become the most expensive car the company has ever sold, it is still expected to undercut rivals such as the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 by a useful margin. Early estimates suggest pricing could begin at around £50,000 in the UK.
A Defining Moment for Skoda
The arrival of the Peaq feels like a watershed moment for the brand.
For years, Skoda has quietly built some of the industry’s most rational family cars. The Peaq shows that rationality and desirability no longer need to exist separately.
This is not merely an electric Kodiaq. Instead, it represents Skoda’s boldest attempt yet to redefine itself as a genuinely aspirational brand while retaining the practicality and value customers expect.
If the Peaq delivers on its promises when it reaches UK roads, established players in the large electric SUV segment may have serious cause for concern.
