Skoda Peaq: new seven-seater flagship driven

The Kodiaq is a sales smash for Skoda. Will an electric version do as well?

Find Skoda Peaq: new seven-seater flagship driven deals
Other Services
Sell your car
84% get more money with

Back in 2022, Skoda unveiled the Vision 7S concept, previewing what an EV version of the seven-seat Kodiaq SUV could look like. That it has taken four years to realise the production version shows how important this car is as the Czech firm’s new electric flagship. And it was time well spent, because the Peaq might actually be peak Skoda.

There’s bags of space, a pleasant but understated design, lots of neat features, an amenable driving experience and competitive pricing starting from £51,980. You can see why Skoda felt confident to name the Peaq so literally – a point it rammed home by holding the launch event among the peaks of the Tyrolean Alps.

New Skoda Peaq cars in stock

 Skoda Peaq 91kWh 90x SportLine Auto 4WD 5dr opens in a new tab
£57,991
View all 3 cars

Advertisement

DESIGN & STYLING

Skoda Peaq reveiw 2026 002

The Peaq sits on the natively rear-driven latest version Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric platform, which underpins everything from the Skoda Elroq and Volkswagen ID 3 up to the huge Volkswagen ID Buzz (the recently released Skoda Epiq uses a new entry-level front-drive version).

As Skoda often does, the Czech firm has stretched beyond similar machines from elsewhere in the group to plenty of interior space. It’s essentially a Kodiaq equivalent but is 116mm longer than that car, at 4874mm. To help maximise its interior roominess, the 2965mm wheelbase is 174mm longer here.

The exterior design closely resembles that of the Vision 7S, reflecting Skoda’s Modern Solid design language. And when you take a peek, it’s nicely modern and looks quite solid. There’s definitely a family resemblance to the smaller Epiq EV, particularly with the gloss black ‘Tech Deck’ front end and ‘Skoda’ lettering on the D-pillars.

As Skoda pushes ever upmarket, the firm keeps introducing new features, some of which are more welcome than others. So the windscreen wipers now feature integrated washers, which is good, and there are pop-out flush door handles to improve the aerodynamics, which is less good. They worked absolutely fine, to be clear, but we do miss good chunky door handles.

And just because you're likely wondering, yes there are lots of Skoda's trademark Simply Clever features. Among others, there are umbrellas are hidden in the front doors, there's an ice scraper in the charging port cover, a clip on the windscreen for parking tickets (if you can find a car park that gives you tickets and doesn't insist you use a silly app...), a charging cable cleaner and, er, a bag to pick your charging cable in.

INTERIOR

Skoda Peaq reveiw 2026 012

The interior of the Peaq is properly spacious, and it feels even more so if you option the 2.1m-long panoramic glass roof, the largest ever offered on a Skoda.

Fulfilling the promise of the Vision 7S, all Peaqs initially at least will come to the UK with a third row, making this the only MEB model aside from the ID Buzz MPV to be offered with seven seats.

A £1800 Relax Pack adds a Sonos sound system, massaging front seats and, brilliantly, a fold-out table that can be stashed in the centre console
James Attwood
Associate editor

Adults will fit in the third row but probably won’t want to spend much time there, although the middle bench can be slid forwards to liberate more space. With the third row in place, there’s 299 litres of luggage capacity; in five-seat configuration there’s a vast 935 litres (not to mention a 37-litre frunk). That’s notably more than the Kodiaq offers – and even outdoes a Superb for capacity.

Up front, the Peaq has a definitively upmarket feel. The dash is dominated by a 10.25in digital instrument display and a 13.6in infotainment touchscreen, which is portrait-oriented for the first time in a Skoda. It runs a new Android-based operating system which is slick enough and the key icons are handily fixed.

There are also physical controls for the key functions on the centre console: the volume roller feels very classy and the climate toggles are pleasingly clicky.

Another neat feature: there are two Qi2 magnetic wireless phone chargers – illuminated round pads that your phone will stick to – built into that cavernous centre console, which work very nicely and prevent your phone rattling around when charging.

ENGINES & PERFORMANCE

Skoda Peaq reveiw 2026 026

The Peaq will be launched with two nickel-manganese-cobalt battery packs, although initially at least the UK will get only the larger one (90kWh total, 86kWh usable).

There’s a choice of a 282bhp rear motor in the 90 model, which offers the headline-grabbing 398-mile range, or dual motors combining for 295bhp in the four-wheel-drive 90x, as tested here.

As that output suggests, the 90x’s additional motor is about offering extra traction rather than outright performance. The 90x can tow up to 2000kg, compared with 1800kg for the 90. The trade-off is the range dropping to 379 miles.

With two motors combining to produce 402lb ft of torque, the 90x is capable of making rapid progress, as shown by its official 0-62mph time of 6.8sec. 

But it’s well balanced rather than, er, peaky, and clearly tuned to offer the sort of acceleration that’s useful in the real world. It’s also very good at maintaining traction, even in heavy rain.

The regenerative braking can be adjusted via steering wheel paddles and there’s a one-pedal mode. From my testing the paddles worked well: while in many EVs I usually just go for the highest level of regen in most situations, on flowing mountain roads I actually found myself using the paddle to modulate speed into bends.

RIDE & HANDLING

Skoda Peaq reveiw 2026 025

The Peaq is a big thing, but it copes with its mass well. The suspension is standard for the MEB models, and most big SUVs, featuring MacPherson struts up front with a multi-link rear. It's clearly been set for comfort rather than sportiness, but then this is a big Skoda SUV so of course thet would. But even without the benefits of air suspension the ride is really smooth and it absorbs all but the biggest road imperfections well.

The handling is consistent and confidence-inspiring, and a notably tight turning circle makes it surprisingly easy to manoeuvre.

The VW Group's Dynamic Chassis Control system is available as an option, and there are various drive moves and ways you can alter the car's settings. But the car seemed happiest and most relaxing in its most laid-back efficiency-focused mode.

MPG & RUNNING COSTS

Skoda Peaq reveiw 2026 001

The official economy for the 90x version of the Peaq is 3.9mpkWh and the peak charging speed is 199kW, although Skoda claims it can hold this speed for longer than some rivals, making for quicker real-world charging.

I achieved 3.4mpkWh on an extended run that mixed mountain passes and motorway, and a significant part of which was done in heavy rain. That suggests a real world range of closer to 300 miles. Again, the single-motor 90 sounds like the better proposition, although we've yet to test that model for an extended period to know fully what economy it can achieve.

VERDICT

Skoda Peaq reveiw 2026 027

The Peaq is loaded with the sort of characteristics that Skoda is known for, and which make for an ideal family car. 

It's stylish without being showy, and really very refined, with a spacious interior that offers plenty of versaility and a good deal of comfort. To drive it's pleasingly effortless in most conditions, and actually masks its size really well.

If you’re in the market for a seven-seat EV, the Peaq will be right at the head of a still-limited pack. But it doesn’t just score because of the number of seats it has: the Peaq can hold its own against most SUVs of similar size, and you can absolutely imagine it winning over buyers from more traditionally premium brands.

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Associate editor

James is Autocar’s associate editor, and has more than 20 years of experience of working in automotive and motorsport journalism. He has been in his current role since September 2024, and helps lead Autocar's features and new sections, while regularly interviewing some of the biggest names in the industry. Oh, and he once helped make Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets.