We tested the Spanish-made electric SUV at 22,800 € with a range of 440 km: here’s how the Skoda Epiq performs

If there is a Holy Grail for electric cars, it’s the affordable one. Ford is pursuing this with its new Fathom and as a competitor to Tesla, but Volkswagen Group is also on the hunt—not only with the new CUPRA Raval, which one reviewer called “something I’ve never seen in 30 years,” but also with this urban electric SUV or crossover produced by Skoda in Spain, specifically at its plant in Landaben, Navarra.

At 4.17 meters long, 1.79 meters wide, 1.58 meters high, and with a wheelbase of 2.6 meters, this Skoda electric vehicle starts at just 22,800 euros and represents “Skoda’s answer” to the BYD Atto 2 SUV—read our review—and to the KIA EV3, which we’ve driven and dominates Spain’s electric vehicle market. But it does much more, as its range of up to 440 kilometers could mark a turning point for affordable electric cars manufactured in Spain.

The Skoda Epic: three versions and a range of up to 440 km

Currently, Skoda is already selling in Spain the most powerful version of its new affordable electric SUV, featuring 155 kW / 210 HP and a range of up to 440 km. But be aware that while this version — including discounts and subsidies — costs only 22,800 euros, there will be other versions that make it even cheaper.

The Skoda Epiq is now available in Spain, marking Skoda’s first front-wheel-drive electric vehicle — its older sibling, the Elroq which we’ve already tested, has rear-wheel drive. It features the brand’s new MEB+ electric platform and is equipped with an NMC battery with a gross capacity of 55 kWh or 52 kWh net, capable of reaching 80% charge in 24 minutes when connected to fast charging. This battery is paired with the aforementioned 155 kW/210 hp engine and the Epic 55 version, the first to be sold in Spain. Being the most powerful model in the range, it reaches speeds of 160 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.1 seconds with impressive grace.

But be aware that Skoda’s new affordable electric SUV will also come equipped with another LFP battery, offering 38.5 kWh gross and 37 kWh net capacity. With a WLTP range of 310 km and the ability to charge from 10% to 80%, it will power the Epic 40 version with 99 kW/135 hp and the Epic 35 version with 85 kWh/115 hp; both will be available in the coming weeks.

In addition to these three versions, Skoda’s new urban electric SUV arrives in Spain with three trim levels: Urban, Selection, and Sportline — the latter becoming available in mid-October — along with a special launch edition called First Edition.

Inside, spacious for four with a huge trunk

The Skoda Epiq at 22,800 euros offers one of the most spacious interiors in its class. The front seats comfortably accommodate two adults over 1.90 m tall — although our test unit had a panoramic roof, which provides a few extra centimeters of headroom. We liked the seats, which offer firm yet comfortable padding with good lumbar support; however, the shoulder support wasn’t as strong.

The dashboard features a textured plastic upper layer with a rubbery finish, combined with fabric strips and hard plastics in the lower area. Overall, the adjustments are more than adequate.

What we didn’t like as much was the digital screen acting as a dashboard. It’s 5.3” in size, which seems small, and it’s positioned somewhat low relative to the driver’s view — forcing us to refocus when shifting our gaze from the road to the display; something we’ll get used to over time — plus it’s enclosed within the dashboard.

The 13-inch central multimedia screen is much better, along with a clear menu and several physical buttons below it. On its frame, a button on the right increases volume while one on the left decreases it. In an independent lower module, there are up to eight physical buttons that control everything from the emergency lights to the mode selector—offering four options: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual—as well as the climate control selector and windshield defrost options.

It should be noted that the automatic transmission is controlled via a lever that protrudes from the steering column. With this feature, the Skoda Epiq offers a B mode for regenerative braking with strong regeneration capability and a One Pedal function, allowing the car to stop completely if the accelerator is not pressed to move forward.

The central console, which is elevated, features two cup holders and a glove box under the armrest, whose lid cannot be adjusted longitudinally. Beneath it, there are several object holders along with charging ports and USB outlets.

The rear seats also offer sufficient headroom for passengers up to 1.90 m tall, but such individuals will need more leg space to travel comfortably.

With that, and the seats not being very high above the floor, taller passengers in the back will find that this Skoda forces them to keep their knees slightly more bent than usual. However, if the rear passengers are around 1.85 meters tall, they will travel without any discomfort.

The width of these rear seats is not bad, though the middle seat—like in the vast majority of vehicles—is reserved for a child... despite the flat floor surface.

But it’s the trunk that truly impresses, offering 475 liters of capacity. This figure differs from the 370 L provided by the lower trunk with the floor in its lowest position—which features a dual bottom—plus another 90 L beneath the trunk floor. According to Skoda’s experts, the 475 L capacity is achieved when the partition tray in the main trunk area is removed.

Beyond that, it’s a very practical trunk with a wide hatch, proper loading height, and regular interior shapes. It includes 4 rings for securing cargo, four more hooks for hanging bags, and a light fixture. However, behind the wheel wells there are small side compartments; one of these held a strap used to secure items in our test unit.

In addition to that volume, there’s a front compartment or frunk with a capacity of 25 liters located under the hood—this will be introduced in production; our test unit didn’t have it—and it’s perfect for storing charging cables and small accessories like a tire inflator.

In action, this Skoda with 440 km of range impresses

Once behind the wheel of this car, specifically the Epic 55 kWh model with Selection trim provided by Skoda, it’s worth noting that the car doesn’t filter out much of the road noise. Additionally, during the test drive in the Austrian Alps, the car exhibited slight aerodynamic noise—mainly from the roof bars—that increased above 115 km/h. It’s nothing serious or bothersome.

With a slightly heavy and direct steering feel — offering about 2.8 turns from lock to lock and a slight but abrupt tendency toward self-centering — along with a steering wheel that’s a bit large for the car’s interior, this Skoda Epiq provides a solid handling experience whether in town or on the road, where its 210 horsepower is more than sufficient.

That said, the power delivery is very gradual; even in Sport driving mode, which differs little from Normal mode, while Eco mode is better suited for urban use or on bypass roads due to its limited power output. In fact, in Normal mode, if we’re not careful with the accelerator, we might end up reaching speeds well above legal limits.

It is a stable car with a composed handling feel and comfortable suspension response… combined with shock absorbers that offer a slightly firm damping action. It isn’t uncomfortable, but it does detect road irregularities—at least that’s the impression from our test unit equipped with 225/45 R19 tires, although the range offers 17”, 18”, and 19” wheels depending on the trim, with even 20” tires available for the First Edition version.

We are thus faced with a car that responds well, is pleasant to drive, and quite comfortable, but how about its braking? Well, like in many aspects, this Skoda has been tuned with the comfort of most customers in mind. So, when we press the brake, we find only a very slight travel of the pedal with no resistance, and the car begins to stop immediately; this travel is so small that many drivers won’t even notice it.

Once past that initial stage, we encounter a pedal feel that is progressive and offers consistent braking force, more than enough to bring this Skoda electric SUV to a stop effectively. This is aided by its weight, which isn’t excessive and slightly exceeds 1,500 kg.

Regarding fuel consumption, the first thing to note is that the test drive took place on an uphill route from northern Germany toward the Austrian Alps. This undoubtedly affected the fuel consumption, which seemed reasonable to us even if we hadn’t considered this factor.

In terms of numbers, during a highway drive with a slight uphill slope and speeds slightly above the legal limit in Spain, we achieved an average fuel consumption of 16.8 kWh per 100 km. Note that on medium mountain roads with an average speed of around 60 km/h, the consumption dropped to just about 8.5 kWh per 100 km. At a faster pace—around 80 km/h on mountain roads—the consumption remained around 12 kWh per 100 km.

Given these circumstances and the unique topography of the test route, it is difficult for us to provide an average figure that we can consider relevant and appropriate. We reserve that for a longer-duration test, but what we can say is that Skoda’s claimed homologated consumption of 13.8 kWh for the Epic 55 seems reasonable and relatively easy to achieve if driven gently with the use of regenerative braking.

In this regard, it should be noted that this Skoda Epiq in the Selection trim lacks steering wheel paddles, and to adjust regenerative braking one must go to the main menu and select Standard mode or a more intense setting; this isn’t particularly inconvenient either. That said, we must admit that during our test we did not use this enhanced regenerative braking mode, which would have reduced consumption levels.

The lack of steering wheel paddles seems like a minor flaw in this car. However, Skoda’s experts informed us that, depending on the trim level, this electric SUV could be equipped with steering wheel paddles linked to three levels of regenerative braking.

Starting at 22,800 euros: the price of the new Skoda Epic

As we’ve mentioned, the only version currently available in Spain of the Skoda Epic is the one with 155 kWh/210 HP and a 52 kWh net battery, offering up to 440 km of range. The official price for this variant starts at 33,100 euros, but after applying the Plan Auto + subsidies and the commercial discount for CAE, it drops to 25,850 euros.

This figure further decreases to 22,800 euros when additional financing discounts are taken into account.

Price with subsidies, CAE, and financing discount

Skoda Epiq 55 kWh Urban: 22,800 euros.

Skoda Epiq 55 kWh Selection: 25,200 euros.

Skoda Epiq 55 kWh First Edition: 27,600 euros.