Skoda teases its new flagship, the 7-seater Peaq

Skoda finally picked a name for its biggest project yet. The carmaker calls its new top-end model the Peaq. This giant SUV will hit the roads in Europe by the summer of 2026, and it will serve as the new flagship for the brand. If you have a large family and want to skip the gas station, this might be the car you have been waiting for.

This is the first time the Czech brand has made a seven-seat SUV that is fully electric. For years, families had to stick with gas or diesel engines if they wanted a Skoda with three rows of seats. That changes soon. The Peaq takes the practical nature of the popular Kodiaq and swaps the noisy engine for silent electric motors.

Skoda based this new SUV on a concept car called the Vision 7S, which showed up back in 2022. The production version keeps a lot of the concept's style. Skoda calls this design language "Modern Solid" - the new flagship certainly looks tough and blocky. It does not have the classic grille you see on old cars; instead, it features a "Tech Deck" face, giving the front of the car a clean and smooth look.

The distinct T-shaped lights, both the front and the back, are the new Peaq's signature. The door handles sit flush with the bodywork, helping the air flow more smoothly over the car to improve range. We have only seen badges and dark teaser images so far, but heavily disguised test cars driving around the Nürburgring track give us a good idea of the shape. It sure looks confident and ready for the school run or a cross-country vacation.

Skoda Peaq stretches about 16 ft - that is huge by European standards. The sheer length allows Skoda to fit three rows of seats inside, promising plenty of room for seven people. Families often struggle to find electric cars that fit everyone comfortably, and the Peaq promises to solve that problem.

The new Skoda uses the MEB platform from the Volkswagen Group. It is the same skeleton used by the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and the ID. 7. It is also used by the smaller Skoda Enyaq. Using a shared platform helps keep costs down and helps us figure out the specs of the upcoming flagship.

The Vision 7S concept had an 89 kWh battery, and many experts expect the real Peaq to use something very similar. This battery size is large enough to push the big SUV a long way. The estimated range sits at around 373 miles, on the WLTP cycle.

The top version of the Peaq likely uses two motors to drive all four wheels. This All-Wheel Drive setup provides better grip in bad weather. That version should produce around 250 kW (340 PS) - that is plenty of muscle for highway passing. Skoda might also sell a cheaper version with just one motor powering the rear wheels. This would be slower but would likely cost less money and achieve that headline range.

Skoda Vision 7S - source: Skoda

The electric SUV market is getting crowded. The Skoda Peaq will have some tough rivals to beat when it arrives later this year. The Kia EV9 and the Volvo EX90 are already fighting for the same buyers. These cars are all big, but Skoda plans to position the Peaq as the "value choice." But it will be the most expensive car Skoda has ever sold, and it will sit above the Enyaq in price and luxury - that's a new territory for Skoda.

However, it will likely cost less than the Volvo or the Kia, fitting the Skoda tradition of undercutting rivals. Other brands can start worrying now - if the Peaq offers the same space and range for a lower price, it could steal a lot of sales.

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