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2027 Skoda Epiq review: Quick drive

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Skoda’s EV is a small SUV that will be launched at ‘high price point’, which should make it much cheaper than the brand has done in its past efforts.

Skoda, who has already rolled out the range-topping Enyaq electric SUV and its slightly smaller brother, the Elroq, is looking to see the competitive small SUV/crossover segment with the Epiq.

It’s the first of a raft of new entry-level EVs from the Volkswagen Group, in an effort to compete with Chinese and Korean rivals such as the BYD Atto 2 and Kia EV3.

While it will initially be rolled out in Europe during the second half of 2026, there has been no specific date for its arrival on Australian shores to confirm that the Skoda Epiq would have yet come.

Our first experience with the car came in Portugal, with camouflaged vehicles close to the final production version.

Expected to be priced in line with the Skoda Kamiq, the similarly sized Epiq will be offered with the choice of two batteries and will closely resemble the near-production concept that was shown at the 2025 Munich motor show, exhibiting the company’s latest ‘Modern Solid’ design language.

It includes all the standard Skoda features from the boot that is practically sized to the Czech brand’s signature ‘simply clever’ details, while customers are also given new driver-assistance tech and improved safety. The range-topping Skoda Epiq 55 was parked to let us know what you will be getting behind the wheel of.

How much does the Skoda Epiq cost?

It’s likely that the Skoda Epiq will be arriving in Australia until 2027 and while official prices have not been announced yet, the company has hints it will match with the petrol-powered Kamiq – which is currently on sale for $29kb (£9,990) before going to cost you at road costs in India.

A part of the wider Skoda Epiq model range has yet to be formalised, but some of what will make the car more affordable is LFP battery technology in the entry-level version (known as the EpiQ 35) – which was designed for its full size.

A smaller battery than the two, this will be more energy efficient and to further manage costs of Epiq 35 (85kW) – with a lower power output for its own part — and fewer 50kW maximum DC fast-charging rate.

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What is the Skoda Epiq like on the inside?

Typical Skoda style is that the interior of the Epiq is function as much to form, with the expected level of modern technology being added.

Skoda Epiq show car

Skoda Epiq show car

Much of the remit of this car is going back to basics, such as returning to greater use of physical buttons for functions like temperature adjustment, window controls and mirror movement.

According to the 2025 show car, as seen by the Epiq will come with a 5. The driver will be able to relay all the usual and relevant information in front of 3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is used as a . There’s no head-up display, and the dashboard is shallower than in larger Skoda EVs to manage costs; this means that there is no top-down display.

While the full round steering wheel has a two-spoke design, an additional three-spkes version is likely to be included in future versions of other variants (although it’s expected that one and four-shot models will also have. There are also physical controls on each side for media and driver-assistance functions, such as tactile rollers (see “the’reader”).

Despite plumbing for the base model, you won’t be shortchanged with a smaller display that is on standard-fit items across the range of an array of 13-inch central infotainment touchscreen. It has a haptic touch bar on its base for volume adjustment, and is mounted high up on the dashboard with ‘the most impressive of these features.

There is a bank of climate functions buttons below the central air vents, although temperature adjustment can still be done via the touchscreen. The drive selector is mounted on the steering column, so there’s space in the centre console for a wireless phone charger and storage for oddments around and under this as it sits up.

A small storage bin under the central armrest is also located between the front seats, and two large cupholders are positioned in this space between these four passengers. The door bins are also a useful size, as is the case with .

The Epiq will have three design levels, including 100 per cent recycled materials for the seats. A higher-level variants will be available with synthetic leather ‘Techtona’ on the dashboard, door inserts and seats.

The segment is reasonably good for rear passenger space, although having its battery sandwiched into the floor does affect the seating position (a shorter distance between hip point and the ground). Skoda said headroom for the rear is good, but ‘about 30mm less than Kamiq’.

This is a practical 475 litres – 75L more than the Kamiq – and there’re quite ‘deep under boot floor, thanks to twist-beam rear suspension setup of boots.

The Epiq doesn’t receive the Elroq’s useful storage net for the charging cable on the underside of the parcel shelf, but instead its designers have developed a strong carrier that can clip into the top-tether point on back seat (which is admittedly useful in – so long as you don’re not using.

Regardless of which, there are two ISOFIX mounting points in the outer rear seats and three top-tether points fitted to the rear seatback but an ISOFiX mounts were not installed in front passenger seat during the car we drove.

Note: No interior images were provided in the press kit for the prototype drive

| Dimensions | Skoda Epiq |
| — | — |
| Length | 4171mm |
| Width | 1753mm |
| Height | 1581mm |
| Wheelbase | 2601mm |
| Cargo capacity | 475-1344L |

What’s under the bonnet?

The plan is for Skoda to offer three powertrains, comprising two battery options and three power outputs.

| Specifications | Skoda Epiq 55 |
| — | — |
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric |
| Battery | 51.7kWh NMC – usable |
| Power | 155kW |
| Torque | 290Nm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1544kg – kerb |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.4 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 13.1kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | – |
| Claimed range | 430km |
| Max AC charge rate | 11kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 125kW |
| Braked towing capacity | 1200kg |

But we had only the chance to drive the Epiq 55, and while the most affordable version will be the epiq 35 it has about half as much power as the one in its 80kW model of the original EpiQ 55.

Peak torque is equal to the Epiq 40 at 290Nm, and both use the same 37kWh battery pack as peak torque (though not necessarily) for . But Skoda also reverses the DC fast-charge rate of the Epiq 35 to just 50kW, so that costs are reduced.

It’s like moot point if you’re an avid home charger, which still gives the same range of 315km. The epiq 40 has a 90kW DC charging rate and 99kW peak power output.

How does the Skoda Epiq drive?

This is based on the Volkswagen Group’s ‘MEB+’ platform, which will support a glut of other new EVs such as the Cupra Raval and Volkswagen ID. polo and ID, Polo andID. Cross What is the meaning of ?

Besides paying for the new platform to build these cars, there has been an attempt to ensure that the Epiq drives are as good quality as buyers would expect from them. Skoda has largely got that right in this case, but there are some areas where further dialing is required before launch.

Although we were under the radar when it was a perfect drive for our driving, power delivery through the front wheels on more than one occasion caused some wheel spin while pulling away from an stop (not necessarily what most will expect from such – if its modest output of about 155kW) isn’t expected.

Once on the move, the Epiq has a good amount of comfort with its passive suspension (MacPherson struts up front and ‘T twist-beam rear axle’).

Our car was a 19-inch wheel, made of Bridgestone rubber with generous sidewall for added bump absorption. So we suspect that the optional 20-inch wheels offered by Skoda might not make for’very comfortable ride’.

Immediately on city streets, the Epiq is agile and light on its feet. Some EV standards say the 1544kg kerb weight is light, and handling benefits from a low centre of gravity provided by the battery even though it’s comparatively lofty car.

It is a good bump-ridder for the Epiq, and even with the twist-beam rear of it feels very solid when placed on road. The cabin was nice and low, although the noise levels in the cabin remained nice (although it ran on some sub-par road surfaces) so while this will be Skoda’s cheapest EV but doesn’t feel all that budget-focused focus on the move.

This is a well-regarded evaluation of its electrically assisted steering and, perhaps most importantly for some people, the Epiq feels completely normal to drive. That’s no veiled insult either; it’t just sit on the road and gives you feedback about what the front axle is doing, lifting the Epiq above the vehicular appliance nature that some EVs show.

It has an option of various driving modes but we found that leaving it in default Normal setting was the best overall result. There’s a good roll-on power delivery, and it feels dangerous every time.” That is a good way to get on if you’re joining.’ The less powerful versions will have to be harder, which could save energy and help with the more power we use in generating sway for that highway.

The central touchscreen can select several levels of energy recovery from . Almost like a one-pedal feel in its strongest environment, this isn’t as well calibrated as some other cars of similar size.

But when you turn off the accelerator pedal, there is a slight delay as the recovery blends in to slow down the car. Good, not overly assisted and easy to modulate in slow-moving traffic is the brake pedal calibration itself (i.e a good one)?

What do you get?

The full breakdown of standard equipment has not been announced, but we know a few things will be available for every variant including 5 in the line. The display of 3-inch digital driver and 13-inch multimedia touchscreen are a feature that is used by .

The latter is sure to include all the expected smartphone mirroring software, too.

It’s likely that 17-inch wheels will be standard, LED headlights will but Skoda will only provide its high Matrix LED heads on top-spec grades.

This is compared to the 12 segments that have already been available on the Kamiq, which provides more powerful illumination for both low and high beam while shading oncoming traffic so as not to be blinded by other drivers.

Is the Skoda Epiq safe?

The Epiq is equipped with many of the most common safety equipment and features that Skoda provides for its own part, including. A ANCAP has not yet evaluated it but is likely to score well when it’s tested for crash-test, so that will be in the mix.

Skoda Kamiq Euro NCAP test

Skoda Kamiq Euro NCAP test

Travel Assist 3 will be available with it. Skoda calls it the most advanced set of driver assistance systems that it provides and uses technology similar to its larger cars’ technologies, 0 according to Skordan.

These include Advanced Adaptive Lane Assist, which responds to traffic lights and road signs such as stop signs. An advanced camera system provides 360 degree coverage to help manoeuvring into tight spots, and has a 3D visualisation in the screen of its four cameras.

Meanwhile, the Cross Assist 2. 0 systems use the vehicle’s radar sensors at corners of bumper-shaped vehicles in order to assist with driving into blind intersections and can alert the driver of any approaching cars or cyclists.

How much does the Skoda Epiq cost to run?

It is expected that Skoda’s seven year, unlimited kilometre new-vehicle warranty will cover the Epiq and applies to its other models in Australia.

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| Servicing and Warranty | Skoda Epiq |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 2 years free, then service-activated – TBC |
| Service intervals | 2 years or 30,000km – TBC |
| Capped-price servicing | Up to 10 years – TBC |
| Average annual service cost | TBC |
| Total capped-price service cost | TBC |

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Skoda Epiq

Although our first experience with the Skoda Epiq showed there is still a bit of fine-tuning to be done, it’s reassurance and even if prices are so good that we can expect this package.

The entry-level Epiq 35 would be a perfect second car in the household for urban driving, but with longer driving range and more powerful motor of the EpiQ 55 it’ll be the one most people will likely to be attracted to.

Click the images for the full gallery

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2026 Skoda Epiq electric SUV revealed with promise of ICE price parity

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