A car designed to be practical first, stylish second
En un momento en que la industria del automóvil busca tender puentes entre la movilidad eléctrica y el bolsillo del ciudadano común, Skoda presenta el Epiq: un SUV eléctrico compacto fabricado en Navarra que aspira a democratizar el acceso a la conducción sin emisiones. Con precios que, tras incentivos, arrancan en 22.800 euros, la marca checa no solo lanza un vehículo, sino que formula una pregunta sobre el futuro del transporte urbano: ¿puede lo asequible ser también suficiente? La respuesta, al menos sobre el papel, parece que sí.
- Skoda irrumpe en el segmento más disputado del mercado eléctrico europeo con un modelo que desafía la idea de que la movilidad sostenible es un privilegio caro.
- La fabricación en la planta de Volkswagen en Landaben, Navarra, convierte al Epiq en un símbolo de la reindustrialización eléctrica en España.
- La versión más potente, el Epiq 55, ofrece 440 km de autonomía y carga del 10 al 80% en apenas 24 minutos, eliminando dos de las objeciones más frecuentes al coche eléctrico.
- La tecnología Vehicle-to-Load abre una dimensión nueva: el coche deja de ser solo un medio de transporte para convertirse en una fuente de energía portátil.
- Con pedidos ya abiertos y la First Edition liderando la oferta, Skoda apuesta por capturar a los primeros adoptantes antes de que lleguen las versiones de entrada, cuyos precios aún no se han desvelado.
Skoda ha presentado el Epiq, su tercer modelo eléctrico, en Zúrich. El SUV compacto llegará a los concesionarios tras el verano y se fabricará en la planta de Volkswagen en Landaben, Navarra, donde compartirá línea de producción con el ID.Cross sobre la plataforma MEB+. Con 4,17 metros de longitud y un maletero de 475 litros, el Epiq está diseñado bajo el principio de que el espacio interior importa más que la ostentación exterior. El salpicadero, dominado por una pantalla táctil de 13 pulgadas con Android integrado, refleja esa misma filosofía de funcionalidad sin adornos.
El modelo se ofrece en tres variantes de potencia con dos opciones de batería, todas con tracción delantera. Las versiones Epiq 35 y 40 comparten la batería de 38,5 kWh y ofrecen en torno a 310 km de autonomía. El Epiq 55, con batería de 55 kWh y 210 CV, alcanza los 440 km y se carga del 10 al 80% en aproximadamente 24 minutos mediante corriente continua. Los tres modelos admiten conducción con un solo pedal en modo B, pensado para el tráfico urbano.
Lo que distingue al Epiq de sus competidores más directos es su capacidad de carga bidireccional. La tecnología Vehicle-to-Load permite alimentar dispositivos externos desde la batería del coche, mientras que las configuraciones Vehicle-to-Home y Vehicle-to-Grid abren la posibilidad de devolver energía al hogar o a la red eléctrica. La aplicación MySkoda gestiona la carga de forma remota y controla el climatizador antes de arrancar.
En cuanto al precio, el Epiq 55 parte de 33.100 euros en acabado Urban, pero con los incentivos disponibles —el plan Auto+ y la certificación CAES— la cifra baja hasta los 22.800 euros. La First Edition, la versión de lanzamiento con detalles deportivos en naranja y rojo, queda en 27.600 euros tras ayudas. Los pedidos ya están abiertos, y Skoda deja claro con esta apuesta que su objetivo es atraer a quienes quieren un eléctrico sin pagar precio de lujo.
Skoda has introduced the Epiq, a compact electric SUV that arrives at a moment when the Czech automaker is racing to fill the gap between entry-level and premium electric vehicles. The car was unveiled in Zurich and will begin arriving at dealerships after the summer, manufactured at Volkswagen's plant in Landaben, Navarra—a facility it will share with the Volkswagen ID.Cross, both built on the same MEB+ platform that prioritizes interior space over battery bulk.
The Epiq measures 4.17 meters long, 1.79 meters wide, and 1.58 meters tall, with a wheelbase of 2.60 meters. It's a study in functional minimalism. The trunk holds 475 liters, with an additional 25 liters tucked beneath the hood for charging cables and another 28 liters scattered through interior cubbies and glove compartments. The design language Skoda calls Modern Solid—clean lines, compact proportions, nothing wasted. The dashboard is straightforward, dominated by a 13-inch central screen running Android with access to Spotify, YouTube, and Google Maps. Optional LED Matrix headlights with 12 light segments prevent glare on oncoming traffic. An aerodynamic spoiler sits at the rear.
Three power variants arrive with two battery options, all with front-wheel drive. The Epiq 35 and 40 both use the smaller 38.5 kWh battery but deliver 115 CV and 135 CV respectively, each capable of roughly 310 kilometers on a single charge and limited to 150 km/h. The Epiq 55, the flagship, pairs the larger 55 kWh battery with 210 CV of power, stretches its range to approximately 440 kilometers, and reaches 160 km/h. All three support one-pedal driving in the B gear mode, useful for urban crawl and congestion. Fast charging via direct current pushes the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 24 minutes. Standard alternating current charging runs at 11 kW.
What distinguishes the Epiq is its bidirectional charging capability. Vehicle-to-Load technology lets owners power external devices—an electric bicycle, a laptop, a coffee maker—directly from the car's battery. The system also supports Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid configurations, allowing the car to feed electricity back into a home or the grid itself. A mobile app called MySkoda manages charging remotely, schedules climate control, and controls a Skoda Charger Wallbox. By year's end, digital car keys integrated into smartphones will arrive.
Pricing reflects Skoda's stated ambition to bring new customers into electric mobility. The Epiq 55 starts at 33,100 euros in Urban trim, rises to 36,100 euros for Selection, and reaches 38,600 euros for the First Edition launch variant, which includes orange stitching on the seats, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with red stitching, a black headliner, sport pedal covers, and decorative door sills. Apply available incentives—the Auto+ plan and CAES certification—and those prices drop to 22,800, 25,200, and 27,600 euros respectively. The Epiq 35 and 40 will follow later, their pricing not yet announced.
The First Edition deserves attention as a marketing gesture. It's built on the top-tier Epiq 55, the one with the longest range and most power, and it's the version Skoda is leading with. The message is clear: the company wants early adopters to experience the full capability of the platform. Orders are already being taken. The vehicle arrives in six body colors and wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. It's a car designed to be practical first, stylish second—the kind of vehicle that appeals to someone who wants an electric SUV but doesn't want to spend like they're buying a luxury item.
Citações Notáveis
The company wants early adopters to experience the full capability of the platform by leading with the top-tier Epiq 55.— Skoda's launch strategy
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Why does Skoda need a third electric model? Aren't they already in the market with the Enyaq and Elroq?
The Enyaq and Elroq occupy different segments. The Epiq is smaller, more affordable, and built on a newer platform that lets them pack more interior space without a massive battery. It's about reaching people who want electric but can't justify spending 40,000 euros.
The MEB+ platform seems important. What's actually different about it?
It's designed for front-wheel drive and smaller batteries. That means lighter weight, less material, more room inside relative to the car's footprint. The battery doesn't dominate the design the way it does on some other platforms.
I notice the bidirectional charging—V2L, V2H, V2G. Is that actually useful, or is it marketing?
It's real, though how useful depends on your life. If you have a home charger and want to power tools or devices during a power outage, it's genuinely valuable. The V2G piece—feeding power back to the grid—that's more about future infrastructure. Right now it's a capability waiting for the grid to catch up.
The starting price with incentives is 22,800 euros. That's genuinely affordable for an electric SUV. How does Skoda make money at that price?
Volume and efficiency. They're manufacturing in Spain alongside the VW ID.Cross, sharing tooling and supply chains. The MEB+ platform is cheaper to produce than larger platforms. And the incentives—those are government subsidies, not Skoda's margin. The actual dealer price is higher, but the incentives bring it down for buyers.
Why lead with the Epiq 55, the most expensive version, in the First Edition?
Because they want people to see what the platform can do. If you start with the base model, you're signaling limitation. By showing the 55 first—440 kilometers of range, 210 horsepower—they're saying this is a real car, not a compromise. The cheaper versions come later.