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Honest John Reviews Skoda

Skoda Rapid (2012 – 2019) Review

Skoda Rapid (2012 – 2019) At A Glance

4/5

+Looks like a saloon but is actually a hatch. Sits between the Fabia and Octavia. Good value for money. Very practical and spacious.

-Some interior materials aren't great. No engines have emissions of below 110g/km. Early models criticised for poor ride quality.

Insurance Groups are between 7–19
On average it achieves 87% of the official MPG figure

The Skoda Octavia has found favour with buyers thanks to its no-nonsense design and practicality – but as the next generation moved a little more upmarket in terms of quality and price, Skoda has filled the gap with the Rapid – and it delivers the same no-nonsense, down to earth motoring.

The Rapid, at first glance, looks very traditional – but while it does have a saloon silhouette it’s actually a hatchback, with all the practicality benefits to match. That means an extremely useful boot and space in the back so generous that even the very tallest passengers will be comfortable.

Drivers will be happy too – it’s a very easy car to drive, with a soft, smooth ride, slick gearshift and light steering. The instruments are clear and everything is sensibly laid out, logical and simple to use. There are some nice flourishes too, like an ice-scraper in the fuel filler flap and a few handy, low cost options like a bin in the door and a reversible floor carpet with a wipe down covering on one side.

The engine range is fairly simple – there’s a 1.6-litre diesel and petrols with power outputs ranging from 75PS to 122PS. Skoda reckons on the diesel winning most buyers, but those on a budget would be wise to consider the 86PS 1.2 TSI, which suits the car well. It’s best to avoid the entry level 1.2-litre MPI petrol though. 

Skoda Rapid 2012 Road Test.

Long Term Test Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI SE

Skoda Rapid 1.4TDI and Spaceback 1.0TSI DSG 2017 Road Test

What do owners think of the Skoda Rapid (2012 – 2019)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Real MPG average for a Skoda Rapid (2012 – 2019)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

87%

Real MPG

33–70 mpg

MPGs submitted

165

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Reviews for Skoda Rapid (2012 – 2019)'s top 3 rivals

SEAT Toledo
4/5
Looks like a conventional saloon but is actually a hatchback. Huge boot space. Good quality and impressively...
Volkswagen Jetta
3/5
Bigger than previous Jetta with more rear passenger room. BlueMotion models deliver good economy. Easy...
SEAT Leon
4/5
Quality and refinement are impressive. Great to drive with sharp handling. Shares same base as contemporary...

Ask Honest John

Should I follow my car's gear shift indicator advice?

"I have a Skoda Rapid three cylinder 999cc TSI 110 with six gears. The gear advisor is quick to recommend changing up but rarely a change down. At slower speeds the engine seems to struggle to the point I can almost feel each piston fire. Is this bad for the engine or transmission or can I ignore this effect?"
These gear advisor lights are often engineered for maximum fuel efficiency, simply trying to get you into as high a gear as possible. Personally I often ignore them, and on three cylinder engines such as yours being in such a high gear causes a lot of vibration. We wouldn't expect Skoda to engineer it so it damages the car, it's more a refinement issue.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

How do we update our factory-fitted Amundsen sat-nav?

"How do I update the factory-fitted Amundsen sat-nav in my 2014 Skoda Rapid? We bought the car directly from the original owner in July 2015 (with just 4000 miles on the clock). There should have been an SD card in the document folder, but it wasn't there (we only found out much later). Since we rarely use this car for major journeys, the out of date system has not been a huge issue, hence we've done nothing about it until now. Thanks and regards."
Reads like the previous owner has taken the SD card out and sold it separately. The Amundsen navigation unit will not work without a Skoda SD card. You can buy a replacement card online but you will need to find out which version of the card you need for your car. I would suggest trying one of the Skoda forums.
Answered by Dan Powell

What's a good car choice for use as a local taxi?

"Which small-medium sized car would you recommend as a local taxi? Hybrids are expensive so I'm thinking a petrol, with no DMF and chain driven. Better if it is non-turbo too but that isn't a deal breaker and MPG should be reasonably good. "
For a narrow body and a big boot the Skoda Rapid was good enough for quite a few taxi drivers to pick it. But all the engines are turbo and belt cam. Real MPG shows that 2.0 litres Skyactiv G engines in Mazda CX-3 and Mazda 3 get good economy, and the Mazda 2 1.5 Skyactiv G does even better with real MPG in the 50s, even for the 6-speed auto. Another possibility is a Honda Jazz Sport with the 1.5 i-VTEC 130 engine. Very spacious and practical inside.
Answered by Honest John

What's a good replacement for my Skoda Rapid?

"I am looking for a replacement for my Skoda Rapid. My requirements are a petrol car with a high driving position, both front seats height adjustable and boot space to take a set golf clubs. My annual mileage is 9000 miles and my budget is about £7000. have recently looked at the new MG3 that has a seven year warranty. Please what would you suggest?"
We'd avoid the MG3 - there are better options out there. We rate the latest Skoda Fabia as an excellent value hatchback. Buy an SE grade or above for two height adjustable front seats. You can get an estate version, too, should you need more space than the hatchback offers.
Answered by Andrew Brady
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