Skoda Rapid Spaceback
Mid-life refresh for value-focused hatchback
SKODA has been hard at work so far in 2017, refreshing its range in an attempt to keep pace with the recently revealed Kodiaq SUV. Now, even the Rapid – the brand’s smallest-selling car in the UK – has been given a light facelift.
Here we’re driving the more desirable Spaceback, which sits alongside the rather dull and dreary-looking hatchback and takes the overwhelming majority of the Rapid’s sales in Britain. There are a few changes to the lights and front bumper, but the new look is very subtle. Instead, the important details are under the bonnet.
In place of the old 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine, Skoda has fitted new, downsized 1.0 units with either 94bhp or 109bhp. Both claim more than 61mpg, with emissions as low as 103g/km. We’d opt for the higherpower version, though, as the 94bhp model feels underpowered when you hit a steep incline or need to accelerate out of trouble. Both engines are fun to rev, and produce the same thrumming note you’d expect from a three-cylinder unit. Each is much quieter than the diesel when you’re driving in a more relaxed way, too.
The extra grunt from the 109bhp unit is definitely worth the additional cost, because for less than £1,000 extra you also benefit from the desirable six-ratio manual gearbox. The lower-powered engine is available only with a five-speeder, but both transmissions are light and easy to use.
While the 94bhp 1.0 is also available with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, it isn’t a good match for this engine. It’s hesitant to change down when you need it to, yet appears too quick to do so when you don’t. The gearstick might say ‘DSG’, but it’s nothing like the slick-shifting set-up found in more expensive Volkswagen Group cars like the latest Skoda Octavia and VW Golf.
The Rapid is decent to drive, especially given that it’s considered a budget model. Its steering is light and rather vague, and there’s quite a bit of roll through corners, but you’ll experience plenty of grip and – on German roads, at least – the ride felt smooth. It’s quiet inside, although wind and road noise picks up on the motorway.
As you’d expect from the exterior styling, the Rapid feels a bit like an Octavia’s smaller brother inside. There’s plenty of similar-looking trim and a familiar layout. Look closer, though, and you’ll find that the quality simply isn’t there, with scratchy, hard plastics all around. However, to help its product against high-value competition such as the cheap Fiat Tipo, Skoda has fitted a brand new infotainment system with a bigger screen. The change is welcome, making the interior seem more upmarket and user friendly.
Although the Skoda still feels like an ageing car, it offers a lot of space for the money. There are loads of handy touches such as pockets in the seats, big door bins and deep storage trays. There’s plenty of room in the rear of the Spaceback, too, and the 415-litre luggage area is pretty big – if
not quite as spacious as the 550-litre capacity in the Rapid hatch, where the longer rear overhang ensures a truly vast boot. The Tipo’s 440-litre load bay sits partway between the two, while there’s also a more practical Tipo Estate on offer.
However, while the Rapid’s sub-£15,500 starting price is pretty impressive, the Tipo is cheaper still. Prices kick off at £13,215, and a more powerful 118bhp 1.4-litre petrol costs £16,215 in top-spec Lounge trim. Both of these supposedly value-focused options are utterly outshone by a number of more traditional family cars, however.
Our Rapid’s £17,545 list price seems steep alongside the £17,915 Vauxhall Astra 1.0 turbo petrol in desirable Tech Line trim, too. The differences will be smaller still if you’re paying via a PCP deal. The Astra is better fun to drive than the Skoda, more efficient and feels much more grown-up inside. You also get a bigger and betterlooking sat-nav screen, as well as the brand’s Onstar concierge services. In fact, even if you still want a Skoda, you can get into a 114bhp 1.0-litre petrol Octavia for £17,195 – although that’s in basic S spec.