A New Entry Point Into Skoda’s EV World
Say hello to the new Skoda Epiq — the Czech brand’s smallest and most affordable electric SUV yet. Built as the entry point into Skoda’s growing EV line-up, the Epiq sits below the Enyaq and Elroq and is aimed at buyers looking for a compact everyday electric car without giving up practicality or features. More importantly for us, Skoda has confirmed that the Epiq is heading to India as a full import. And honestly, out of all the electric SUVs Skoda has shown globally so far, this one probably makes the most sense for our roads. The Epiq is based on Volkswagen Group’s new MEB+ electric platform and measures 4171mm in length, 1798mm in width and 1581mm in height, with a 2601mm wheelbase. In simple terms, it’s compact enough for city use but still promises the cabin space of a much larger SUV.
New Design Language
The Epiq is the first production Skoda to fully adopt the brand’s new ‘Modern Solid’ design language. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean wild styling or overly futuristic shapes. At the front, you get slim T-shaped LED headlights connected by Skoda’s new glossy black ‘Tech Deck Face’. The bumper gets vertical air channels and a chunky lower section that gives the SUV a tougher look. Around the side, there’s a high shoulder line, squared wheel arches, roof rails and a wide lower body section that makes the car look planted. At the rear, the minimalist theme continues with T-shaped LED tail lamps, clean surfacing and large Skoda lettering across the tailgate. Wheels range from 17-inch to 19-inch designs, while higher variants also get LED Matrix headlights and illuminated grille elements.
Skoda says the Epiq has been heavily optimised for aerodynamics too, with a drag coefficient of 0.275. There are active cooling shutters at the front, aerodynamic wheel designs, airflow channels around the bumper and a smooth underbody to help improve efficiency.
Compact Outside, But Promises More Space Inside
One of the biggest talking points of the Epiq is packaging. Despite its relatively compact footprint, Skoda claims it offers one of the most spacious cabins in its class. Boot space stands at 475 litres, while there’s also a 25-litre frunk under the bonnet for charging cables or smaller bags. Additional storage spaces across the cabin add another 28 litres of practicality.
The interior itself follows a clean, minimal layout. The Epiq will be offered in three trims globally — Standard, Essence and Selection — with each adding more equipment and technology. The Standard trim covers the basics with LED lighting, the 13-inch infotainment system, digital driver’s display, wireless smartphone connectivity, safety systems and recycled textile upholstery. Step up to the Essence trim and it adds features like heated front seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, extra storage solutions and more convenience-focused equipment. Then there’s the top-spec Selection trim, which gets the full works. This includes LED Matrix headlights, ambient lighting, wireless charging, keyless access, panoramic camera system, upgraded Travel Assist systems, a 10-speaker Canton audio setup, panoramic sunroof and additional connected car tech.
Skoda will also offer optional packages depending on the market. Buyers can add features like the panoramic sunroof, tow package, advanced parking assistance, premium lighting package and upgraded ADAS tech. And sitting right at the top will be the Epiq First Edition — based on the highest trim level and paired exclusively with the biggest 55kWh battery and 208bhp motor. It gets exclusive Navajo Orange exterior detailing, a black roof, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, orange stitching inside, sports pedals and First Edition badging.
Three Power Variants And Two Battery Options
The Epiq will be available with three powertrain options called 35, 40 and 55. The Epiq 35 and Epiq 40 use a 38.5kWh battery pack and are front-wheel-drive only. The 35 produces 114bhp while the 40 produces 133bhp. Both deliver 267Nm of torque and have a claimed top speed of 150kmph. Skoda claims a driving range of around 310km. Then there’s the range-topping Epiq 55, which uses a larger 55kWh battery pack paired with a 208bhp electric motor producing 290Nm. Top speed rises to 160kmph, while claimed range stands at around 440km.
All versions support DC fast charging, with the larger battery capable of charging from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes. An 11kW AC home charger comes as standard. The Epiq also gets one-pedal driving, allowing the car to slow down and regenerate energy as soon as you lift off the accelerator. Regeneration intensity can also be adjusted manually.
Vehicle-To-Load, Vehicle-To-Home And More
The Epiq also supports bidirectional charging. That means it can power external devices through Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), while also supporting Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality where infrastructure allows. That could eventually allow owners to use the car’s battery as backup power for homes or external electronics.
Safety And ADAS Features
Skoda is packing the Epiq with a fairly extensive list of safety and driver assistance systems too. Standard equipment includes Front Assist, Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Exit Warning, Lane Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition. Higher variants get Travel Assist 3.0, which can respond to traffic lights and assist during traffic jams. The SUV also gets seven airbags as standard, including a centre airbag between the front seats.
India Plans And Why This EV Matters
Skoda has confirmed that the Epiq will come to India as a full import, although pricing is yet to be announced. Given the size, equipment and imported status, expect it to sit at the premium end of the compact EV space.
But honestly, this feels like one of the few European EVs that genuinely suits India well. The dimensions are just right, the packaging is clever and the claimed range figures are usable enough for everyday driving. That said, importing it as a CBU may make pricing difficult to justify because EV import taxation in India still remains extremely high. And that’s the bigger point here — the Epiq actually feels like the kind of electric SUV Skoda should strongly consider building locally. Because if priced sensibly, this could easily become one of the most practical premium EVs in the country.
