Panoramic Rapid is a clear choice

SKODA offers two distinct Rapid models, but it’s the conventional-looking Spaceback version that’s proved easier for buyers to like in the Focus-class family-hatchback sector.

It’s good value and now makes more sense with petrol power than it did before.

If ever emphasis was needed of the importance of the Focus-sized family hatchback segment in the current market, the Rapid Spaceback provides it for the Czech manufacturers.

The standard Rapid model and the upgraded Spaceback have bridged the gap in the brand’s model range between the supermini-sized Fabia and the nowlarger Mondeo-sized Octavia.

And the Spaceback range looks particularly good value, thanks to a pricing realignment, sitting in the £14,000 to £20,000 bracket.

If you really want an efficient drive, plump for the 1.4-litre TDI 90PS diesel, a variant able to deliver 78.5mpg on the combined cycle and 94g/km of CO2.

Stretch to the 115PS 1.6-litre TDI diesel and those figures rise to 67.3mpg and 109g/km.

Petrol-power lovers can expect an impressive showing, too. An average of around 65mpg should be quite possible with the 1.0-litre TSI engine in both its forms, plus the unit can get close to the important 100g/km of CO2 threshold.

The big news is that there are two completely-new petrol engines, 95PS and 110PS versions of the VW Group’s three cylinder 1.0-litre TSI unit.

As with the standard Rapid model, this Spaceback variant’s mechanicals don’t include the hightech MQB floorplan developed for all of the Volkswagen group’s other family hatchback contenders.

Skoda chooses to reserve these underpinnings for its larger Octavia model, so the Rapid range has instead to rely on a mix and match of suspension and chassis parts borrowed from almost every crevice of the Wolfsburg parts bin.

Updates made to this revised Rapid Spaceback model are subtle and mostly limited to plusher trim levels.

At the front, there are modified fog lights, a redesigned bumper and plush variants get some extra chrome, plus the headlamps can be ordered with bi-xenon beams.

Go for the optional panoramic glass roof which combines neatly with a prolonged tinted rear screen.

There’s a three year/60,000 mile warranty that you can extend to four or five years if you wish.