Skoda Rapid Review (2012-2019)

What is the Skoda Rapid?

Bigger than a Fabia, but smaller than the Octavia, the Rapid plugged a gap in the Skoda line-up. It also marked a return to the days of selling cars for much less than the price of most of the opposition.

Under the skin, the Rapid shared parts with the Volkswagen Polo, and some of those components were starting to feel their age by the time they washed up in the Rapid. The Skoda was cheap, but not necessarily cheerful, and it ceased production in Europe in 2019 with no direct successor.

How practical is it?

The sensible-but-dull engine line-up was matched to sensible-but-dull looks. The Rapid looks like a four-door saloon, but it's actually a hatchback; the boot isn't hinged at the base of the rear window, but at the top. It makes for a very roomy boot, if slightly ungainly three-box looks. This body style can also be known as a liftback, or a notchback.

From a styling point of view, the Skoda Rapid Spaceback was a big improvement to most eyes. Arriving a year or so after the regular Rapid, the Spaceback lost the trunk-like rear-end for a more conventional hatchback profile. In fact, from side on the Spaceback almost looks like a small estate car.

While better proportioned than the liftback model, the Spaceback is actually less practical, with boot space shrinking from 550 litres to a still-handy 415 litres.

Either way, the Rapid has lots of room for passengers considering it's a fairly small family car. Those in the front have lots of space, and there's enough head- and legroom for adults in the back. The Rapid is quite a narrow car, though, so it's more comfortable for two rather than three in the rear seats.

What's it like to drive?

As you can probably guess by looking at their power outputs, the emphasis with the Rapid's engine line up was firmly on low running costs rather than sparkling performance. Expect pretty steady acceleration from any of these engines, especially the least powerful petrol.

From the driver's seat, both the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback are quite forgettable. It's neither engaging to drive nor especially comfortable.

The suspension can feel floaty and short of control at speed, but it thuds and fidgets over poor surfaces. On the other hand, it is a very easy car to drive, with smooth controls and light steering for strain-free parking.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Skoda facelifted the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback in 2017. Bi-xenon headlights and LED rear lights became available, along with LED front running lights. The interior was also given a makeover, although nothing too drastic: think new air vents and door inlays rather than a complete overhaul.

New 1.0-litre petrol engines were introduced with 94bhp or 108bhp to replace earlier 1.2-litre engines. The new three-cylinder TSI engines are livelier than their modest power suggests, with the advantage of using less fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide than the older 1.2-litre engines.

Skoda Rapid running costs

No version of the Skoda Rapid is going to cost a lot to run. There are no feisty petrols or big and powerful turbodiesels, so every engine in the range should be reasonably affordable to fuel.

If you cover lots of miles and want low fuel bills, a diesel should be top of the list. The 1.6 TDI Greenline promises over 70mpg according to the official figures, but its economy was tested to the old NEDC standard, which tended to give cars an easy time. Even so, MPG in the 60s isn't out of the question.

You don't need a Greenline for good fuel economy. The regular diesels should be good for better than 50mpg, and close to 60mpg if you drive with a light right foot.

The petrol models will be a little more expensive on fuel, but they're certainly not thirsty. Early cars with one of the early 1.2 TSI engines should return 45-50mpg.

If you want a petrol with really impressive fuel economy, though, it's worth stretching the budget to buy one of the post-facelift cars with the 1.0 TSI engines. These three-cylinder units have a pleasing, thrummy engine note and surprising economy.

The lower-powered version returns 64.2mpg, while the punchier engine achieves 62.8mpg in official tests. The figures are the same for the Rapid and the Rapid Spaceback. Reckon on 50-55mpg in everyday driving.

Insurance should be pretty painless. The early entry-level petrol in basic S specification sits in group 7 of 50, which means it should be cheaper to insure than some small cars. Even a 1.6 TDI Elegance is no higher than group 15.

Regular servicing and maintenance won't be expensive, either, and there are lots of independent VW Group specialists around if you want to keep costs down but expertise high.

Vehicle Excise Duty isn't expensive. If you go for an early Greenline there's nothing to pay at all, as it emits less than 100g/km of carbon dioxide.

Skoda Rapid reliability

There should be no worries on the reliability front. Along with the likes of Toyota, Skoda is one of the most reliable car brands around, and the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback use mechanical components that are well proven in other models. Strong scores for the Rapid in several reliability and owner satisfaction studies underline that the Skoda should deliver years of trouble-free motoring.

Over its time on the road, there have been a handful of recalls to be aware of. For example, cars made between 8 January 2014 and 29 January 2015 with the 1.2 TSI engine can leak oil, due to the screws on the camshaft adjuster coming loose. Another possible issue is a defective towing eye, which can break during use. This applies to cars made between 29 March 2017 and 24 April 2017. The necessary work to fix these faults should have been carried out by now, but it never hurts to check with a Skoda dealer or to enter the car's reg number in Gov.uk's recall checker.

If you are buying from a Skoda franchised dealer, you can expect a workshop inspection with over 100 checks, a history and mileage check, and a minimum of 12 months warranty, and the next MOT will be free so long as it's carried out at the supplying dealer.