2027 Skoda Epiq review: Quick drive

Skoda’s third electric vehicle (EV) is a small SUV that’s set to enter the market at a price point that should make it much more affordable than the brand’s previous efforts.

Having already rolled out the range-topping Enyaq electric SUV and its slightly smaller sibling, the Elroq, Skoda is setting its sights on 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.

The Skoda Epiq will initially roll out in Europe in the second half of 2026, but no firm date for its arrival on Australian shores has yet been set.

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.

All the typical Skoda features are included, from the practically sized boot to the Czech brand’s signature ‘simply clever’ details, but buyers will also get the latest driver-assistance tech and enhanced safety features. We got behind the wheel of the range-topping Skoda Epiq 55 to see what you can expect.

How much does the Skoda Epiq cost?

It’s likely the Skoda Epiq won’t arrive in Australia until 2027 and, while official pricing hasn’t been announced yet, the company has hinted it will be on a par with the petrol-powered Kamiq – which is currently priced from $29,990 before on-road costs in Australia.

The full Skoda Epiq model range has yet to be formalised, but part of what will make the car that bit more affordable is the use of LFP battery technology in the entry-grade version, badged as the Epiq 35.

This battery will be the smaller of the two in terms of energy capacity, and to further manage costs the Epiq 35 will have a lower power output of 85kW, and a slower 50kW maximum DC fast-charging rate.

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What is the Skoda Epiq like on the inside?

In typical Skoda fashion, the Epiq’s interior is one shaped by function as much as form, with the expected level of modern technology included.

A big part of this car’s remit is going back to basics, including a return to greater use of physical buttons for functions such as temperature adjustment, window controls and mirror movement.

As previewed by the 2025 show car, the Epiq will come with a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver that will relay all the usual and relevant information. With the dashboard being shallower than in larger Skoda EVs, and to manage costs, there is no head-up display.

The fully round steering wheel features a two-spoke design, but a three-spoke version is expected to be included in other variants in the future. Again, there are physical controls on each side for media and driver-assistance functions, including tactile rollers.

A 13-inch central infotainment touchscreen is a standard-fit item across the range, so even if you plumb for the base model, you won’t get shortchanged with a smaller display. Mounted high up on the dashboard, it features a haptic touch bar along its base for volume adjustment.

Below the central air vents is a bank of buttons for the climate functions, though temperature adjustment can still be done via the touchscreen. As the drive selector is mounted up on the steering column, there’s space in the centre console for a wireless phone charger and storage for oddments around and underneath this.

Two large cupholders occupy the space between the front seats, and there’s a small storage bin under the central armrest, too. The door bins are also of a useful size.

Three design levels will be offered in the Epiq, all including 100 per cent recycled materials for the seats. Higher-grade versions will be available with synthetic leather called ‘Techtona’ on the dashboard, door inserts and seats.

Rear passenger space is reasonably good for the segment, though having its battery sandwiched into the floor does impact the seating position, resulting in a shorter distance between the hip point and the floor. Headroom for those in the rear is adequate, but around 30mm less than the Kamiq according to Skoda.

Boot space comes in at a practical 475 litres – 75L more than the Kamiq – and there’s quite a deep area beneath the boot floor thanks to the use of a twist-beam rear suspension setup.

Disappointingly, in a cost-cutting move, the Epiq doesn’t get the Elroq’s useful storage net for the charging cable on the underside of the parcel shelf, but instead its designers have come up with a robust carrier that can clip into the top-tether point on the rear seat, which is admittedly useful – so long as you’re not using a child seat.

Speaking of which, there are two ISOFIX mounting points in the outer rear seats, and the rear seatback can be fitted with three top-tether points, but the front passenger seat didn’t have an ISOFIX mounts in the car we drove.

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

What’s under the bonnet?

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

We only had the opportunity to drive the Epiq 55, and while the Epiq 35 will be the most affordable version, it has about half the power output of the Epiq 55 at 85kW.

Granted, peak torque is the same as the Epiq 40 at 290Nm, and both use the same 37kWh battery pack. However, Skoda also dials back the maximum DC fast-charge rate of the Epiq 35 to just 50kW to keep costs down.

If you’re a frequent home charger, that becomes something of a moot point, as it still delivers the same 315km range. The Epiq 40 has a 90kW DC charging rate and a 99kW peak power output.

How does the Skoda Epiq drive?

The Skoda Epiq is built on the Volkswagen Group’s ‘MEB+’ platform, which will underpin a glut of other new EVs, including the Cupra Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo and ID. Cross.

In creating the new platform for these cars, besides managing costs, there has been an effort to ensure the Epiq drives with the kind of quality that buyers might expect. In this instance, Skoda has mostly gotten that right, but there are some areas that need further dialing in prior to launch.

While the weather conditions were less than ideal for our drive, the power delivery through the front wheels on more than one occasion resulted in some wheel spin when pulling away from a stop, which isn’t what most will expect from such a car considering its modest 155kW output.

Once on the move, the Epiq offers a decent level of comfort on its passive suspension, which comprises MacPherson struts up front and a twist-beam rear axle.

Our car ran on 18-inch wheels shod with Bridgestone rubber, with a generous sidewall for added bump absorption. We suspect the optional 20-inch wheels that Skoda will offer might not make for a particularly comfortable ride.

On city streets, the Epiq immediately feels agile and light on its feet. The 1544kg kerb weight is light by some EV standards, and the handling benefits from a low centre of gravity provided by the battery, despite being a relatively lofty car.

The Epiq rides the bumps well, and even with the twist-beam rear, it feels quite solid and planted on the road. Despite running on some sub-par road surfaces, the noise levels in the cabin remained nice and low, so while this will be Skoda’s most affordable EV, it doesn’t feel all that budget-focused on the move.

Its electrically assisted steering is nicely judged and, perhaps most importantly for some, the Epiq feels entirely normal to drive. That’s no veiled insult either; it’s easy to place on the road and provides enough feedback about what the front axle is doing, lifting the Epiq above the vehicular appliance nature that some EVs demonstrate.

A choice of different driving modes is available, though we found leaving it in the default Normal setting provided the best results overall. Roll-on power delivery is positive, and it feels brisk at all times. That’s useful when joining a highway, though we expect the less powerful versions will have to be worked harder, which could increase energy consumption.

Various levels of energy recuperation can be selected via the central touchscreen. In its strongest setting, it comes close to a one-pedal feel, but this isn’t as well calibrated as in some other cars of a comparable size.

When you lift off the accelerator pedal, there’s a slight delay as the recuperation blends in to slow the car. The brake pedal calibration itself is good, not overly assisted and easy to modulate in slow-moving traffic.

What do you get?

The full breakdown of standard equipment has not been announced, but we do know a few things will feature in all variants, such as the 5.3-inch digital driver’s display and 13-inch multimedia touchscreen.

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

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

These feature 12 segments, which is more than what has been previously available on the Kamiq, providing more powerful light for both low and high beam while shading oncoming traffic to prevent dazzling other drivers.

Is the Skoda Epiq safe?

Skoda equips the Epiq with many of the usual safety equipment and features. It’s too soon for ANCAP to assess it, but it’s expected to score well when it is crash-tested.

It will be available with Travel Assist 3.0, which Skoda says is the most advanced set of driver assistance systems it offers and uses the same technologies that feature in its larger cars.

These include Advanced Adaptive Lane Assist, which can respond to traffic lights and road signs, including stop signs. A top-view camera system provides 360-degree coverage to help with manoeuvring into tight spots, and includes a 3D visualisation on the screen from its four cameras.

Meanwhile, the Cross Assist 2.0 system uses the car’s radar sensors in the corners of the bumpers to assist when entering blind intersections and can warn the driver of any approaching vehicles or cyclists.

How much does the Skoda Epiq cost to run?

The Epiq is expected to be covered by Skoda’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new-vehicle warranty, which applies to its other models in Australia.

CarExpert’s Take on the Skoda Epiq

While our first experience with the Skoda Epiq showed there is still some fine-tuning to be done, the overall package is promising, especially if the pricing is as competitive as is suggested.

The entry-grade Epiq 35 could make for an ideal second car in the household for urban driving, but the longer driving range and more powerful motor of the Epiq 55 means it’ll be the one that most people are more likely to be drawn to.

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