Skoda Rapid Buyer’s Guide
A guide to the Skoda Rapid, a practical saloon with a perfect balance between power, fuel economy and punchy performance
Words and Photography by Kranthikumar
The Skoda Rapid may not at first catch your eye, but if you examine it a bit closer, it’s one of the smartest buys you can make today. For £4,000-£5,500, you have Volkswagen engineering, a laugh of a turbocharged engine, and a sensible, thrifty saloon that still has a place compared to competitors in the used market. the modern era of the Skoda Rapid was first released in 2012 where it was aimed at the global market, particularly selling in markets in India, Brazil and Europe it was designed to cater to people looking for a spacious and af-fordable small family and student friend-ly car, with reliability and high value for money.
Why the Rapid?
It’s an ideal choice for first-time drivers or anyone looking for the cheapest of running expenses and toughest of dependabilities. The 1.2-litre petrol TSI turbocharged engine producing 105 bhp offers a punchy and rewarding drive. It has a spacious cab-in for five people and a massive 550-litre boot, which was bigger than its competitors. The interior is equipped with a good quality of plastics and no squeaks or rattles reflecting Skoda’s reputation for high quality build standards. It features a de-sign that has perfect proportions, cleanly modelled surfaces and sharply drawn lines that all work together to create an overall attractive appearance. It has safety as a key strength. It has dual front airbags, side air-bags and ABS, in fact it even scored five stars in the Euro NCAP test of 2012. It is well-equipped offering air-conditioning, Bluetooth, USB and a useful trip computer which records information such as average speed, average fuel consumption and distance travelled. Being disc brakes in front and the rear it gives reliable braking performance unlike drum brakes, addi-tionally the disc brakes also have a longer lifespan and dissipate heat efficiently.
How it compares
The Rapid’s competition is made up of vehicles like the Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost, Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC, Vauxhall Astra 1.4 Turbo, Kia Ceed and Chevrolet Cruze. Although the Focus handles well, its Eco-Boost engines have a history of reliability issues. The Civic is bulletproof and quicker but lacks the Rapid’s punch and economy of a turbocharger. The Astra is a safe bet but not quite with the same VW-engineered polish as the Skoda. While the Kia Ceed is well equipped, comparatively low CO2 emission and its industry leading seven-year warranty the Ceed also has a smaller cabin compared to the Rapid and a smaller boot. The Chevrolet Cruze offers strong performance, a balanced ride and five-year warranty the cabin feels cheap, poor engine refinement and doesn’t have Bluetooth as an option. For buyers who want practicality, efficiency, and driving pleasure, the Rapid is the optimal choice.
The Driving Experience
The turbocharger allows for a delivery of strong acceleration at low revs which makes the Rapid a joy to drive. The five-speed manual gearbox is light and smooth and provides a great level of engagement. The Rapid is equipped with a MacPherson front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension maintaining a good stability and handling. The brakes are very responsive in the emergency situations where it builds confidence especially during quick stops. Noise from road and engine are very well muted in the cabin giving a pleasant and relaxing ride.
Common Issues
The timing chain on the engine can suffer from premature wear so it’s well worth checking if it has been replaced at a rec-ommended time, usually after 100,000 miles. If the seller cannot verify the condition of the timing chain buying a re-placement would be recommended, which would cost around £900. While the Rapid’s build quality is good, it’s always good to check for any underbody wear or rust. especially on older, high mileage cars. It is tough to park the vehicle as it doesn’t come with a parking sensors where there is less rear visibility
Verdict
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly, turbocharged, fuel efficient lift back, the Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSI SE is a smart buy. It’s not the flashiest car, but it’s practical, engaging, and reliable qualities that matter more than ever in today’s used car market. For drivers who enjoy driving but do not want the stress of an unpredictable engine or a pricey automatic transmission, the Rapid is among the last manual turbo sedans that can be bought for a fair price. Provided you check the timing chain history, you could very well drive off with one of the best used car deals in the market today.
Specification: Skoda Rapid 2014 1.2 TSI
Engine Capacity 1.2-litre
Power Output 105 bhp @4800rpm Torque 153Nm @ 1500-3500rpm Transmission Five-Speed Manual Top Speed 118 mph
0-62mph10.8 seconds
Fuel Tank Capacity 55-litres Fuel Efficiency 45-58mpg CO2 emissions 125g/km
Dimensions (L x W x H) 4386mm x 1699mm x 1461mm
Wheelbase 2602mm Ground Clearance 168mm Brakes (Front & Rear) Disc
Suspension (Front) McPherson Strut Suspension (Rear) Torsion Beam Tires 185/60 R15
Seating Capacity 5 seats
Airbags Dual front airbags, side airbags ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) Yes
