Skoda reveals stylish new Epiq compact EV
Epiq has a rugged exterior design and is similar in size to its Kamiq sibling but has more boot space.
Skoda is enjoying a bumper 2026 here and in other European countries, with over 555,700 units sold from January to June, representing a 9.1% increase in market share versus 2025.
Some 21% of its sales volume has been battery electric vehicles (BEVs), buoyed by the brand’s Elroq and Enyaq EVs in second and sixth place, respectively, in the European battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales charts. Germany is proving to be the largest market for Skoda vehicles this year.
Skoda's Irish sales this year at 11,386 show the company is on track for a fourth year of record results and set to gain a 9.8% market share. The core strength of the Skoda brand is its mantra of 'a car model for everyone' in its range of vehicles, but the Octavia remains the brand's 'bread and butter' performer. Skoda is forecasting to sell 13,000 units a year here, a record for the brand and representing a 10% market share. Skoda Ireland offers a mix of petrol, mild hybrid (petrol), diesel, and electric powertrains.
However, Skoda's electric car sales will increase dramatically with the addition of the brand’s two latest arrivals - Epiq and the larger Peaq, both revealed to the Irish motoring press at an event in Co Wicklow recently as part of the company’s electric offensive, which is gathering pace across Europe. They double the brand’s all-electric model range.
The Epiq is the first Skoda model to be built on the new MEB+ platform, that allows it to benefit from the new Skoda Modern Solid Design, combining compact dimensions with a spacious interior and high everyday usability, including a 475-litre boot (and a frunk), among the largest in its class. It is also Skoda’s first all-electric model with front-wheel drive and its most affordable fully-electric model. Epiq has a rugged exterior design and is similar in size to its Kamiq sibling but has more boot space.
I was very taken with the pre-production, left-hand drive version specially imported for the recent reveal and expect this smart-looking car to appeal to a wide audience of buyers, including first-timers, those downsizing from larger vehicles like the Skoda Kodiaq, as well as gaining conquest sales from other marques.
Inside, Epiq has an intuitive interior layout with durable materials, physical controls, and a wide range of Simply Clever features to help make this a very practical car.
Irish customers can choose from four trim levels: Choice, Essence, Selection, and Sportline, and between a 38.5 kWh battery with a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 275 kilometres, or a more powerful 55 kWh battery with a driving range of up to 435 kilometres on a single charge. DC fast charging from 10% to 80% will take approximately 24 minutes, making the model suited to both city driving and longer journeys.
Choice spec includes a single-zone air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Side Assist, LED headlights/LED rear lights, 17-inch steel aero cover wheels, a 13-inch infotainment system, and a 5.6-inch driver display, drive mode select, adaptive cruise control, and a physical key. Essence adds front parking sensors, a rear view camera, wireless charging; Selection has two-zone air con, heated front seats, privacy glass, and 18-inch alloys. The top Sportline adds special interior/exterior features, power front seats, Matrix LE headlights, 19-inch alloys, and a 3-spoke heated steering wheel.
Segment-leading features include a mobile digital key, Vehicle to Load (V2L) and Vehicle to Home (V2H) capabilities, along with one-pedal driving technology.
The marque will be hosting Epiq preview events at selected Skoda dealerships around the country throughout October and November. First customer deliveries in Ireland are scheduled to start in January 2027.
PRICES: from €24,559 - €32,979. Sportline prices will be €33,915-€37,189. Prices include SEAI grant and VRT rebate.
