The new Skoda Epiq is everything we might expect from a proposition by the Czech brand. And that is a compliment.
After so much anticipation, Skoda’s smallest and most affordable electric SUV has at last been unveiled. It is called the Epiq and, considering everything it offers for the €28,820 it costs in Portugal, Skoda appears to have a serious contender in a segment that continues to expand.
In practical terms, it is exactly what you would anticipate from a Skoda: sturdy, composed on the road, notably comfortable and, as is customary with most offerings from the Czech manufacturer, exceptionally roomy.
We were able to assess it before its official reveal in Porto, where we drove a camouflaged pre-production example. Now that it is no longer shrouded in “the gods’ secrets”, we travelled to the Tyrol region of Austria for a more extended first drive.
Let us begin with its appearance, although I promise not to dwell on it. After all, as the saying goes, “there is no accounting for taste”. Even so, the Skoda Epiq’s styling is easy to appreciate, an opinion shared by several colleagues I spoke to during this first drive.
The Epiq is Skoda’s first model to fully embrace the new Modern Solid design language. This brings a new black ‘face’ at the front and a fresh T-shaped light signature at both ends. Its bumpers, wheel-arch cladding and body panels further add to its tough, adventurous look.
The roomiest in the segment
It is inside, however, that this small SUV gains an advantage over rivals such as the Volkswagen ID. Polo and CUPRA Raval. Although all three have a wheelbase of around 2.6 metres, Skoda has managed to use the same ‘ingredients’ to provide more rear-passenger room and a 475-litre boot.
That is 34 litres more than its German and Spanish cousins, as well as 75 litres more than the Kamiq, Skoda’s combustion-engined equivalent. These figures become even more striking when set against those of cars from a class above: compared with a Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla, for instance, it offers 94 and 114 litres more respectively.
On the technology front, after covering more than 170 kilometres, the compact 5.3-inch digital instrument display and 13-inch infotainment system proved more than adequate. The latter is new and, alongside the brand’s familiar graphics, is Android-based, making it quicker to use.
Lower down sits something that most manufacturers insist on removing: a panel of physical buttons providing access to the functions used most often while driving. Thank you for listening, Skoda.
Skoda Epiq comfort and efficiency take priority
On the road, there is no doubt about it: light at the steering wheel, nimble in manoeuvres and highly predictable, the Epiq has clearly been set up as a comfort-focused proposition. Far from being a criticism, that is praise.
The car I drove for more than 170 kilometres was the Epiq 55. In other words, the version pairing the largest-capacity battery (52 kWh) with the most powerful electric motor (211 hp), while claiming more than 430 km between charges (WLTP).
Having driven it over plenty of secondary roads and motorways, I have no doubt that this is among the range’s most appealing versions, despite also being the most expensive. Even at a little over 1,600 kg, its 211 hp felt more than capable.
Even on the famous Autobahn - Germany’s motorways, 70% of which have no speed limit - the Epiq can maintain suitably brisk pace, although its dynamic behaviour reveals a preference for a more relaxed rhythm.
In town, with B mode engaged, it is possible to drive without ever using the brake pedal thanks to the one-pedal driving system. Using a camera mounted on the windscreen, the system adjusts the required regenerative braking to ensure a safe distance is always maintained from vehicles ahead.
Naturally, consumption benefits as a result. A longer drive in Portugal will be needed to properly evaluate the Epiq’s efficiency, but from what I have seen so far, it ranks among the best. In combined driving, recording figures below the approximately 14 kWh/100 km claimed by Skoda is extremely easy.
From €28,825
The new Skoda Epiq can now be ordered in Portugal in 35, 40 and 55 versions. The first two use the same 37 kWh battery and claim 310 km of range (WLTP), priced from €28,820 and €29,920 respectively.
As mentioned above, the Skoda Epiq 55 I drove combines a 52 kWh battery with the most powerful electric motor (211 hp). It is also the most expensive model, with prices starting at approximately €34,930.
Although it exceeds the psychological €30,000 threshold, it remains, in my view, fair value and keeps the Epiq in line with electric and combustion-engined offerings in the segment. It is an objective manufacturers have been striving for in recent years, and one the Epiq is able to meet.
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