We review the Skoda Rapid from price to economy and all its features
SKODA have been surprising the motoring world for the past two decades.
They have gone from bargain basement to one of Europe’s motoring success stories.
And they have transformed their image to become the surprise jewel in the Volkswagen Group crown.
In a European car market in crisis, Skoda are defying the slump and increasing sales by nearly eight per cent.
Sales for the first nine months of 2012 are a record 664,800 — with the UK one of their best performing markets.
UK sales have just passed 45,000, overtaking the record figure for the whole of 2011 with two months still remaining.
The success is based on a combination of value for money, a timeless design and a reliability record that is second to none.
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And Skoda have no intention of easing off, with plans to bring out a new model every six months for the next three years.
The firm are already enjoying big sales of their new Citigo city car and are now bringing out the new Rapid hatchback — and that’s why I ended up getting entangled with a group of contortionists.
To show off the huge boot space of the Rapid, I challenged seven contortionists to see whether they could cram themselves in — and they managed it.
To underline the Rapid’s remarkable Tardis-like interior, the girls also fit inside the cabin rather easily, which means a family of five have room to spare.
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The Rapid has 550litres of boot space that increases to 1,490litres with the seats down — and that’s better than most rivals.
The boot also gets two handy stowage nets to keep your shopping secure.
So the Rapid is top class for practicality and passenger comfort, but how does the rest of the car perform?
Well I parked the Rapid alongside a brand new BMW 3 Series and it more than held its own in the visual department, an indicator of just how far Skoda have come.
This is a Skoda that looks substantial but with prices starting at £12,900 and rising to just under £18,000, it’s still value for money. The cheapest BMW 3 Series is £7,000 more than the most expensive Skoda.
The Rapid features Skoda’s new design language and it has a premium feel to it, especially at the front end.
A bold honeycomb grille with a chrome surround, piercing new headlights and a bigger badge on the bonnet give the Rapid added drama.
Under the bonnet, the Rapid, like all Skodas, benefits from the latest technology of their owners VW Group.
There’s the option of very good 1.2 and 1.4 direct injection petrol engines that punch well above their weight, and an equally impressive 1.6 turbo diesel.
Economy ranges from just over 47mpg to 64mpg for the diesel.
I tested the mid-range SE version, expected to be the best-selling Rapid, with a 1.2litre direct injection petrol used in the VW Golf and Audi A3. It’s refined with reasonable performance and it drives well.
But it is the remarkable interior space and boot that leaves the biggest impression.
The interior is well screwed together. The plastics do have a hard feel to them but they look as if they will last a long time.
The car was extremely well equipped but still has a price tag of just £14,595.
Other new models will include an Octavia that will move slightly more upmarket next year. That will be followed by an updated Yeti, plus plans to bring out a larger seven-seat Yeti and possibly a compact version.
It’s a far cry from the days of the rusty Favorit, the butt of jokes by British comedians in the Eighties. It’s a long time since anyone laughed at a Skoda.
