Skoda Peaq: A New Large EV Aiming at the Kia EV9 Market

Imagine a tall, roomy crossover that borrows Czech restraint and thinks like a challenger. That’s the mood Skoda is setting with the Peaq, its first full-size electric crossover. Teasers and sketches have been drip-fed, and on June 23, 2026 the cover comes off in Monnetier-Mornex, France.

Skoda has not been coy about the attitude. The sketching plays up sportiness, even if production reality will be calmer. Still, the cues are clear. T-shaped headlights. A glossy black Tech-Deck Face. An intricate light signature across the front that Skoda teases as a hallmark. The bumper is described as volcano-shaped, with a pronounced lower contour and a strong horizontal line. Visual weight is on the shoulders: high shoulder lines, broad D-pillars and flush door handles that tuck into the sheetmetal for a cleaner side profile.

Sizing up the Peaq

Size matters with this car. The Peaq sits on a 2,965 mm wheelbase and stretches to 4,874 mm overall, placing it above the Kodiaq in footprint and leaning into family-hauler territory. Cargo space at the rear reaches about 1,010 liters, with a small 37 liter frunk up front for odds and ends. Practical numbers, but the package promises something more than mere space.

Inside, Skoda hints at luxury touches that will likely be reserved for top-spec models. Think ergonomic massaging seats with leg rests, an augmented-reality head-up display, an electrochromic panoramic roof and a premium sound system. The center screen grows to 13.6 inches, and tech plays a starring role in the story Skoda wants to tell.

Underpinning the Peaq is the familiar VW Group MEB architecture. That means shared DNA with the Enyaq and a raft of other platform mates. It also means proven packaging and production efficiencies as Skoda prepares to build the car in Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic.

Powertrain options arrive at launch in a compact, sensible range. A base setup uses a 63 kWh battery with a rear motor rated at around 201 horsepower. Stepping up, two 91 kWh options — called 90 and 90x by Skoda — produce roughly 282 and 295 horsepower. Those figures put the Peaq squarely in range of larger family EVs and within striking distance of rivals such as the Kia EV9.

Orders open in Europe this summer. That timing suggests Skoda wants to capture buyers who prioritize space, tech and a European flavor, without asking them to move to the top of the market just yet.

So what will separate the Peaq from the competition? The loop motif lighting at the rear that mirrors the front’s T-shape is a deliberate attempt at instant recognition. Design details like the flush handles and the bold shoulder treatment are simple, effective ways to make a large car feel composed rather than clumsy. And the choice to keep much of the premium kit clustered toward higher trims lets the base model remain accessible.

Will it upset the Kia EV9? That depends on buyers. The EV9 brings strong presence and three-row utility. The Peaq brings European styling, a slightly larger footprint than Skoda’s own Kodiaq, and a familiar, dependable platform under the skin. For many customers the decision will come down to packaging, trim levels and dealer relationships.

For now, Skoda is doing the textbook thing: tease, reveal, and then let the market decide. Expect clearer pricing, range figures and trim breakdowns when the curtains lift later this month. Until then, the Peaq is a statement of intent — a large EV that wants attention, and is ready to compete.