Skoda Rapid (2012 – 2019) Review

June 2012

Skoda unveiled new Rapid

It may look like a saloon but it's actually a hatchback and will fit in between the Fabia and the Octavia in the Skoda line-up. The design also shows the style of future Skoda including the next Octavia which is due in 2013 and is rumoured to be larger than the current model.

The Rapid is a name from Skoda's past - although it was last used (as Rapide) when Skoda launched a sportier coupe version of its 130 saloon in the mid 1980s. This new model is also the sister car to the forthcoming SEAT Toledo and while neither may not seem obvious for the UK, smaller saloons like these and the similarly sized Volkswagen Jetta, are popular in mainland Europe.

Skoda is describing the new Rapid as having a 'coupe-like silhouette' and with a long wheelbase it promises good interior space for a car this size - it's less than 4.5 metres long which is only marginally longer than a Ford Focus. The tailgate is the real highlight though. In a somewhat similar way to the Superb , Skoda has created a car that looks like a saloon but is actually a hatchback, making it more practical.

Five turbocharged petrol engines and two TDI engines will be offered including a 1.6 TDI Greenline model with low CO2 emissions. As with all Skoda's you can expect a well built interior, good levels of standard equipment and keen pricing, although this will all be revealed after the car is officially launched at the Paris Motor Show this September.

Below are the technical specifications for each of the engines in the range -

1.2-litre MPI; 1198cc petrol 55KW (75hp) at 5400 rpm / 112 Nm at 3750 rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox , 75bhp, 0-60mph 13.9 seconds, top speed 175 kph, fuel consumption 46.3mpg, CO2 emissions 137 g/km

1.2-litre TSI 86PS; 1197cc petrol 63KW (85hp) at 4800 rpm / 160 Nm at 1500-4100 rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox, 85bhp, 0-60mph 11.8 seconds, top speed 183 kph, fuel consumption 55.3mpg, CO2 emissions 119 g/km

1.2-litre 105PS; 1197cc petrol 77KW (105hp) at 5000 rpm / 175 Nm at 1550-4100 rpm. S ix - speed manual gearbox, 105bhp, 0-60mph 10.4 seconds, top speed 195 kph, fuel consumption 52.3mpg, CO2 emissions 125 g/km

1.4-litre 122PS; 1390 cc petrol 77KW (122hp) at 5000 rpm / 175 Nm at 1550-4100 rpm. Seven-speed DSG gearbox, 122bhp, 0-60mph 9.4 seconds, top speed 206 kph, fuel consumption 48.7mpg, CO2 emissions 134 g/km

1.6-litre diesel 90PS; 1598 cc diesel 66KW (90hp) at 4200 rpm / 230 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox, 90bhp, 0-60mph tbc, top speed tbc, fuel consumption 67.2mpg, CO2 emissions 109 g/km

1.6-litre diesel 90PS DSG automatic; 1598 cc diesel 66KW (90hp) at 4200 rpm / 230 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm. Seven-speed DSG gearbox, 90bhp, 0-60mph tbc, top speed tbc, fuel consumption 65.7mpg, CO2 emissions 114 g/km

1.6-litre diesel 105PS; 1598 cc diesel 77KW (105hp) at 4400 rpm / 250 Nm at 1500-2500 rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox, 105bhp, 0-60mph 10.6 seconds, top speed 190 kph, fuel consumption 64.2mpg, CO2 emissions 114 g/km

January 2014

Limited edition Rapid models launched

The Rapid SE Connect is based on the Rapid 1.2-litre TSI 86PS SE, but with the addition of extra items worth £3,665. The enhanced specification includes one of two metallic paint choices, either Brilliant Silver or Denim Blue, as well as 16-inch ‘Antia’ alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and an Amundsen satellite navigation with DAB digital radio. The Rapid SE Connect is priced at just £12,990 on the road, and is restricted to just 800 vehicles.

The second limited edition is the Rapid Sport. It’s based on the 1.2-litre TSI 105PS SE model but includes extra equipment worth £1,250. Additional features include 17-inch ‘Ray’ black alloy wheels, sunset glass, front fog lights, sports seats, steel pedals, black door mirrors and a rear spoiler. The Rapid Sport is only available in a single exterior finish – Candy White – and is priced at £15,630 on the road. Only 200 units will be available to UK customers.

February 2017

Skoda Rapid revised

At the front there are modified fog lights and a narrow chrome strip (standard from SE L up) connects the lights and creates a wider-looking front end plus there are black-tinted covers on the taillights in the distinctive C-shape.

The wheels are available in new designs: Costa wheel trims for the 15-inch wheels, Evora (silver) and Vigo (silver / black metallic) for the 16-inch alloys, Trius (silver), and Torino (black polished, for the Monte Carlo edition) 17-inch alloy wheels.

The main headlights of the are now available with xenon lights, the daytime running light uses LED technology.

The interior features many design changes. Firstly, new inlays have been added to the four doors. The air vents in the dashboard, the instruments and the control panel of the manual air-conditioning system have also been redesigned.

As part of the upgrade, a 1.0-litre TSI engine is now available with either 95PS or 110PS giving claimed fuel economy of 64.2mpg and 62.8mpg respectively.

Other new additions include the option of two USB ports in the back, which can be used to charge smartphones or other small mobile devices.