Skoda Rapid buyer’s guide
FROM £6,000 Underrated compact hatchback makes a tempting used buy
Spacious hatch is a great-value choice from £6,000
EVER since the first Octavia arrived in 1998, it’s been a huge success for Skoda. But while that model isn’t exactly a large car, there was clearly a market for a smaller family hatchback below it in the range, sitting above the Fabia supermini. Skoda took more than a decade to introduce such a car, which it called the Rapid.
When this five-door did arrive, it was everything you’d expect of the brand: keenly priced, smartly styled and available with strong, efficient engines. But the Rapid hasn’t had quite the impact its maker might have hoped for, with slow sales and owners seemingly less thrilled than with Skoda’s other products. That doesn’t make the Rapid a bad buy, though – far from it.
History
THE Rapid went on sale in November 2012, with buyers able to choose between 74bhp 1.2, 85bhp 1.2 TSI and 120bhp 1.4 TSI petrol engines, plus a 103bhp 1.6 TDI diesel. The 1.4 TSI came only with Skoda’s excellent DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. A year later, the Greenline model went on sale in 1.6 TDI form only, complete with trim and tech enhancements to cut CO2 emissions.
The Rapid Spaceback was introduced alongside the standard five-door in January 2014. This had a more conventional, upright rear. At the same time, an SE Connect-spec Rapid arrived, limited to 800 cars. Each got sat-nav, DAB, alloys and rear parking sensors.
Also that month, the Rapid Sport was announced. There were 200 of these, with 17-inch alloys and racier trim. The Black Edition appeared six months later, then in spring 2015 the SE-L replaced the Elegance.
Which one?
NONE of the Rapid engines is particularly powerful, but the entry-level 1.2-litre is especially breathless so aim for at least the 1.2 TSI. The 1.6 TDI is definitely the pick, with either a manual box or the DSG auto, but don’t overlook the 1.4 TSI DSG, either.
The base S has tyre-pressure monitoring, remote central locking, electric front windows plus heated and electrically adjustable mirrors. The Greenline adds air-con, while the SE also has 15-inch alloys, cruise control and powered rear windows. Sport features 17-inch rims, and the top-spec Elegance has 16-inch wheels, climate control, rear parking sensors and a multifunction steering wheel.
Alternatives
THE Rapid is unusual in being a small hatch with a saloon profile. Alternatives with a more traditional, upright rear include the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, which are easy to find, available in many forms and top value thanks to their ubiquity.
Also worth a look are the Peugeot 308 and Renault Mégane, as they’re strong value – much the same as the Hyundai i30 and Kia Cee’d. Honda’s Civic and Toyota’s Auris tend to cost a bit more, but the most capable rival of all is the Volkswagen Golf. It’s more expensive, yet it’s a more rounded car that’s available in a wider model range.
Verdict
SKODA has traditionally churned out one hit after another, but occasionally it fails to bag the top slot. While the Rapid is still a good car, it hasn’t been as successful as the brand’s other models. It’s safe in its design, engineering and construction, and you buy it with your head rather than your heart.
However, the larger-engined models make great long-distance cruisers thanks to their reliability, efficiency and refinement. As a budget car, the Rapid isn’t dripping with luxury equipment, but find a lowmileage example towards the top of the range and you’ll have a capable family model for relatively little cash.
”It’s everything you’d expect of Skoda: keenly priced, smartly styled, with strong, efficient engines”
OUR VIEW
A 25Th-place debut in the Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey wasn’t bad, but disappointingly the Rapid dropped to 88th place this year. What dragged the car down were low scores for ride quality (149th), seat comfort (147th) and build quality (117th). Eighth for practicality and 10th for running costs were more like it.
YOUR VIEW
RAY Hockley from Exeter owns a Rapid 1.4 TSI DSG. He told us: “The car has been reliable, and it’s economical, too; I can get 60mpg on a run. It feels functional rather than plush, but it’s practical and comfortable. I think my car was excellent value for money, so I’ll be keeping it for a while yet.”