First Drive: Is Skoda pushing into the premium sector with seven-seater Peaq?
The new Peaq is more luxurious than any Skoda before it, but does it get this brand’s usual no-nonsense practicality too? Jack Evans finds out.
What is it?
There hasn’t been an electric version – until now, that is. The arrival of the Peaq (pronounced ‘peek’) marks not only a moment when Skoda enters into the electric seven-seater segment, but also a push towards a more premium end of things. We’ve been testing it out.
What’s new?
The Peaq is likely one of the longest cars that has used MEB, too, and at 4.87 metres, it’s a fair bit longer than the 4.75-metre-long Kodiaq. The net result? An electric car designed with space in mind and enough room for seven people to sit comfortably.
What’s under the bonnet?
It does mean that all models offer a decent amount of distance between trips to the plug, but it’s expected that the one we’re in – the standard 90 – will be one of the most popular. It also gets a full-whack charge rate of 199kW, resulting in a 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 28 minutes.
What’s it like to drive?
The steering isn’t bad, either, and though the Peaq suffers from the same spongy brake pedal which seems to afflict all MEB-platform products, it’s still a very easy car to drive. With a 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds, it’s not lacking in performance either and gets up to speed in a quick enough time.
How does it look?
Skoda has done a good job of disguising the car’s long proportions, too, with large wheels shoved up to the corners and very little in the way of overhangs. We’re big fans of the dark green and copper colours available on the Peaq, too.
What’s it like inside?
In terms of boot space, the Peaq’s 890-litre load area with the rear seats folded down is more than plentiful enough, while this can be increased to a huge 2,150 litres by folding down all seats. Even with the third row in place, there are 299 litres when loaded to the headrests, making the Peaq a very practical option.
What’s the spec like?
That aforementioned infotainment feels like a big jump forward for Skoda and while it’s good to see the brand progressing tech-wise, it’s even better to witness it remembering that functionality is such a core part of its values. It’s reflected in the proper physical toggle controls for heating and ventilation located under the main display – they’re so much easier to use than if they were located within the screen itself.
Verdict
The Peaq feels like a genuine jump forward for Skoda. It feels premium, well-made and tastefully finished, yet with its large boot and seven-seater capacity it’s just as practical as you’d expect a Skoda to be.
With a long range and decent charging speed, it ticks the usual EV boxes nicely, too. Skoda seems to have created a family-focused EV that could be hard to beat.