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Cheap electric cars usually make their compromises obvious the moment you open the door. Hard plastics. Bare design. Screens that look added as an afterthought. The new Skoda Epiq seems determined to avoid that trap.
Ahead of its full debut on May 19, Skoda has offered a first look inside its smallest and most affordable EV, and the message is clear: entry level does not have to feel stripped down. The Epiq may sit at the accessible end of the brand’s electric range, but its cabin is aiming well above that brief.
This is also the first production Skoda to fully embrace the brand’s Modern Solid design language, and the interior wears that shift well. The layout is clean, horizontal, and far less busy than what many buyers still expect from compact crossovers. A layered dashboard sets the tone, with a softer upholstered lower section helping the cabin feel warmer and more considered than the price point suggests. Rectangular air vents and a tidy visual structure keep things simple without slipping into blandness.
Behind the wheel, drivers get a compact 5.3 inch digital instrument display with a distinctive hexagonal shape, paired with a freestanding 13 inch infotainment screen at the center. That setup should give the Epiq a strong tech-first impression, but Skoda has not gone fully minimalist in the frustrating sense. Under the main display sits a row of haptic shortcut controls that appear designed to keep key functions within easy reach, rather than burying everything in menus.
The practical touches are there too, as you would expect from Skoda. An open storage area sits below, with a wireless phone charging pad placed neatly in the middle. The center console is slim, helping free up space, while ambient lighting adds a softer, more inviting atmosphere after dark. Skoda also says sustainable materials play a major role inside, including seat fabrics made from 100 percent recycled PES.
Space matters more than design flourishes in a car like this, and the Epiq looks competitive on that front as well. The boot offers 475 liters of cargo capacity, expanding to 1,344 liters with the rear seats folded. For a compact electric crossover aimed at urban buyers and small families, that is a meaningful number.
Three versions, one clear mission
Underneath, the Epiq shares its foundations with other Volkswagen Group small EVs, riding on the MEB+ platform that will also support models such as the Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID. Polo. Skoda plans to offer three powertrain options, each aimed at a different kind of buyer.
The entry point is the Epiq 35. It uses a 38.5 kWh LFP battery and a front mounted electric motor producing 114 hp and 267 Nm of torque. Performance is modest, with 0 to 100 kmh taking 11 seconds, but that is hardly surprising in a city focused crossover. Range is quoted at 315 km, which should cover everyday commuting with ease.
Step up to the Epiq 40 and the same LFP battery remains, as does the 315 km range figure, but output climbs to 133 hp. Torque stays unchanged at 267 Nm, while the sprint to 100 kmh drops to 9.8 seconds. That version may end up being the sweet spot for buyers who want a little more flexibility without stretching to the top model.
The flagship Epiq 55 is where the numbers become more convincing. It gets a larger 55 kWh NMC battery, along with 208 hp and 290 Nm of torque. That cuts the 0 to 100 kmh time to 7.4 seconds and raises top speed to 160 kmh. More importantly, range climbs to 430 km, giving the Epiq a broader appeal beyond the city limits.
Production will take place in Spain, and Skoda has already indicated a starting price of around €26,000. That puts it in remarkably close territory to the petrol powered Kamiq, which may be the most important detail of all. For years, affordable EVs have asked buyers to accept less in exchange for lower running costs. The Epiq is trying a different approach. Same sensible price. Far more polish.
Source: carscoops
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