Skoda has taken the wraps off its new seven-seat Peaq SUV, which is priced from £51,980 with order books opening in September this year.
The most expensive Skoda to date, the Peaq SUV is the largest model in the brand’s line-up, measuring almost 4.9 metres long and 1.7 metres in height.
Sitting at the top of Skoda’s electric-only range above the recently introduced Epiq, and the highly acclaimed Elroq and Enyaq, the Peaq is the first seven-seat EV offered by the Czech manufacturer.
Exterior and interior design
In recent months, the brand has teased a series of images outlining the Peaq’s design inside and out, which it describes as “hallmarks of Skoda’s ‘Modern Solid’ design language in its most developed form yet”.
The Peaq’s familiar Tech-Deck Face carries over from Skoda’s existing EV range, while the T-shaped head- and tail-lights are unified by a black loop carried over from Skoda’s Vision 7S and Vision O concepts. Flush door handles are part of the Peaq’s exterior, and retract into the body when the car is locked for security, or at speed to improve its aerodynamics.
Step inside, and the Peaq’s interior is dominated by a vertical 13.6-inch Volvo-style touchscreen running Google built-in. For the most part, the infotainment screen is operated by haptic feedback. However, physical switchgear for the interior temperature, fan speed, and volume is fitted to the centre console.
Beneath the row of buttons sits a pair of wireless charging pads with MagSafe built-in; a system that ensures mobile devices remain in place while accelerating, braking, or cornering.
Despite being Skoda’s range-topper, the Peaq hasn’t forgotten its practical origins. As such, there are several of Mlada Boleslav’s signature ‘Simply Clever’ features scattered around the cabin to make life easier. These touches include an infotainment screen cleaner, a ticket holder in the windscreen, an additional USB port in the rear view mirror, and wiper blades with integrated washers, which Skoda says are better at cleaning and more efficient.
Ahead of the driver is a 10-inch digital instrument binnacle, and a ‘Relax Package’ is an optional extra to make the most of the Peaq’s “lounge-like” interior. The Relax Package includes reclining, massaging seats with hidden footrests, plus pillow-soft headrests à la Lexus ES.
The pack also adds a Sonos sound system, a foldable table in the centre console, cup holders, and wellness-focused apps that manage the climate control, ambient lighting, and other functions to create a calming environment for those onboard.
Skoda has stretched the Peaq’s wheelbase to 3.9 metres, which translates into a boot capacity of 299 litres of space with all three rows in use. Fold the third row flat, and this rises to 890 litres; fold the second row, and this increases to a huge 2,075 litres.
Across the Skoda Peaq SUV range, a 2.1 electrochromic roof with adjustable opacity is standard, which can act as a virtual sunshade on warm, sunny days.
Trim levels, battery, and range
The Skoda Peaq is available in three trim levels: Entry-level SE L priced from £51,980, mid-tier Edition priced from £55,130, and range-topping Sportline priced from £58,280.
Each model comes with an 86kWh battery and rides on parent company Volkswagen’s MEB platform. However, the Edition and Sportline cars benefit from a choice of two powertrains named 90 and 90X. The former has a 282bhp rear-mounted electric motor, while the latter adds a secondary motor for all-wheel-drive (AWD) and 294bhp.
The SE L is rear-wheel-drive (RWD) only, but irrespective of trim level, all versions of the Skoda Peaq come with a 390-mile range and a maximum charging speed of 199kW. This means the Peaq has a 10-80% top-up time of 28 minutes. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) compatibility to power external electronic devices is also a standard feature.
