TEST – Skoda Peaq: seven seats, 600 km range, and plenty of comfort

Skoda’s new electric flagship is an SUV that is nearly 4.90 meters long, available in Italy only as a seven-seater. It features more luxurious interiors than before and an endurance of up to 600 km. Prices start at 50,000 euros.

Skoda raises the bar with Peaq, its new electric flagship vehicle. It is a SUV of considerable size: nearly 4.90 meters long, with seven seats, plenty of space, and a claimed range that exceeds 600 km in the most powerful version.

This model also represents another step forward for Skoda in terms of design, perceived quality, and comfort. It remains a very practical car, as per the brand’s tradition, but with significantly improved styling and interior craftsmanship.

Nearly 4.90 meters long, yet with a clean design

Peaq also adopts Skoda’s new Modern Solid styling language. Despite its substantial size, the design is quite clean and minimalist, with particularly well-balanced proportions.

The front end features the elements now characteristic of Skoda’s new styling direction, starting with the black Tech-Deck Face behind which much of the sensing equipment is concealed, to the new T-shaped lighting signature. This element appears as well on the rear side.

The sides are inevitably imposing, with large 21-inch wheels. For the first time on a Skoda, there are also door handles that run along the bodyline, a solution that contributes to improved aerodynamics as well. The declared drag coefficient is 0.249, an impressive figure considering the vehicle’s size and type.

The rear is very clean, with almost no unnecessary elements. The tailgate is electrically operated and gives access to a trunk that retains a capacity of about 300 liters even with all seven seats in use. By folding down the third row, the capacity rises to around 900 liters, while reclining the second row as well exceeds 2,000 liters. There is also a 37-liter frunk in the front.

The dimensions clearly explain the amount of space available: 4,874 mm in length, 1,867 mm in width, and 1,674 mm in height, with a particularly generous wheelbase of 2,965 mm.

Inside, the wheelbase makes a difference: plenty of space and improved quality

It is precisely this nearly three-meter wheelbase that results in vast amounts of space inside. The first two rows are extremely comfortable, while the third row is clearly designed more for shorter passengers.

What stands out most is the effort Skoda is putting into making its models more desirable in terms of both aesthetics and perceived quality. The materials are high-quality, the front seats are particularly comfortable, and they even come with a relax function that allows them to be transformed into armchairs.

The dashboard has a very horizontal layout, with multiple layers stacked on top of each other, but overall simple and minimalist shapes. Physical controls are minimized: there are only a few central buttons for the climate control and a dial for volume adjustment.

At the center dominates the large 13.6-inch display of the Android-based infotainment system. The graphics are clear, the menus are well-organized, and the interface is intuitive, reducing the need to take your eyes off the road for long periods. Behind the steering wheel (which is excellently organized in terms of controls), there’s a 10.25-inch digital cockpit.

Peaq 60 and 90X: Up to 600 km of range

In Italy, the Skoda Peaq will initially be available in two versions: Peaq 60 and Peaq 90X. The Peaq 60 has rear-wheel drive and delivers a maximum power of 150 kW. The Peaq 90X, on the other hand, uses two engines, one per axle, resulting in all-wheel drive with a total power of 220 kW. The claimed ranges are approximately 450 km and 600 km respectively.

The battery capacity also varies (60 and 90 kWh), while the DC charging power reaches up to 200 kW on the higher-performance versions. This allows, under ideal conditions, to go from 10% to 80% charge in less than half an hour.

These are significant figures, especially considering Peaq’s intended use: a car designed for large families, long trips, and those who need plenty of space without sacrificing electric mobility.

Performance: comfort first

On the road, the Peaq immediately shows what its priority is: comfort. This is especially true when it comes to ease of use, though noise levels could be improved. At highway speeds, aerodynamic noises are quite noticeable. The suspension handles uneven surfaces well and contributes to creating that sense of being a “great traveler,” which is likely one of the car’s most convincing features.

The steering is precise and sufficiently progressive, but everything is in proportion to its size. The Peaq is a SUV that’s nearly five meters long and has a considerable weight; this is especially evident during rapid direction changes, tight maneuvers, and acceleration.

In the Peaq 60, the engine’s response is immediate, but it lacks that almost instant throttle response found in lighter and more compact electric vehicles. The thrust here is more gradual, consistent with the car’s overall design.

The agility also suffers inevitably from the vehicle’s size. Peaq favors a smooth and relaxed driving style rather than particularly aggressive pacing.

The braking system, on the other hand, retains some characteristics already seen in models based on the MEB platform. In the early stages of pressing the brake pedal, the response may seem slightly delayed, with braking not kicking in right away. It takes a few kilometers to get used to it, especially when switching from a car with a more direct pedal response.

Prices: starting at 50,000 euros

And we inevitably arrive at the price. The Skoda Peaq 60 starts at around 50,000 euros, while the more powerful and fully equipped Peaq 90X costs about 60,000 euros.

These figures are by no means considered low, and they become even more substantial when compared to some Chinese-made electric SUVs. However, Peaq operates in a somewhat different market segment. It is a European car from the Volkswagen group, featuring seven seats, substantial size, and undeniable build quality.

The 90X also comes with all-wheel drive, 220 kW of power, and a claimed range of around 600 kilometers—features that make Peaq particularly attractive to those looking for a single electric vehicle suitable for long family trips.

It’s not compact, it’s not lightweight, and certainly it’s not inexpensive (in absolute terms). Peaq focuses primarily on offering practicality, comfort, and range. And in these three aspects, the new Skoda flagship has quite convincing advantages.