Skoda Rapid is one of the best luxury cars for people on a budget. It is also very practical and a nice family car. But is the Skoda Rapid a good car?
The Skoda Rapid is both a good and bad car. It is a good car for those looking for a comfortable, reliable, durable, efficient, and practical car. On the other hand, it is a bad car for those who want a high-performance and low-maintenance car. Overall, it is one of the best cars in its class.
History of Skoda Rapid
The Skoda Rapid is a subcompact sedan made by Skoda India. The latest Skoda Rapid has been in production from 2011 to 2021. But before this new model, the first Skoda Rapid was produced between 1935 and 1947. It was a saloon car. The second Skoda model was produced between 1984 and 1990. It was a two-door coupe based on the Skoda 130.
From 2011 onwards, the Skoda Rapid model built in India was based on the 2010 Volkswagen Vento. What’s more, Skoda has a Skoda Rapid international version that has been in the market since 2012. This particular model features a five-door hatchback, five-door liftback, and 4-door sedan.
Note that the Skoda Rapid made in India features a front-end design that is similar to the second generation of the Skoda Fabia. Nevertheless, these two models are not closely related. Besides, this model is based on the Volkswagen Group A05 platform.
Features of Skoda Rapid
Appearance
The latest Skoda Rapid model looks spectacular inside and outside. It comes with a newly designed radiator grille that is surrounded by a chrome-finished frame, an angular headlight, a new bumper design, and a large honeycomb air intake. On the contrary, the interior is also amazing with features like a cruise control system, rain-sensing automatic wipers, light-sensing automatic headlights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen integrated infotainment system.
Performance
The Skoda Rapid has several engine options that give users different experiences. Users have the option of selecting a diesel or petrol version. The newest Skoda Rapid petrol model is fitted with a 1.6-liter petrol engine that can deliver up to 105 bhp and 153 Nm of torque.
On the other hand, the diesel version comes with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that delivers up to 109 bhp and 153 Nm of torque. So, for speed and performance, the diesel version is the best. And unlike the petrol engine, the diesel version has an option of the 5-speed manual transmission gearbox like the petrol version and a 7-speed DSG transmission gearbox.
Comfort and cargo space
One of the most attractive features of the Skoda Rapid is its excellent cabin and trunk space. This car comes with ample cabin space that can hold up to five people. What’s more, it has a nice trunk space that will keep lots of luggage. It has a total of 16.25 cubic feet of space, which is great for most users.
Safety
Like most cars under Volkswagen, Skoda Rapid is a pretty safe car. It comes with a variety of safety features that will keep its occupants safe. Besides, this car has been awarded a 4-star rating in the past for safety. Some of the top safety features that this car offers are four airbags, over speed warning, a child lock, an antitheft engine immobilizer, a speed-sensing door lock, and central locking.
Fuel efficiency
Skoda Rapid is one of the most fuel-efficient luxury sedans on the market. It is estimated to have around 45 mpg to 47 mpg. However, these figures are unrealistic in the real world. Nonetheless, it is still very efficient with some users attaining up to 42 mpg. So, if you desire a luxury sedan that will save you on fuel, the Skoda Rapid is a good alternative.
Price
The Skoda Rapid is costlier than most mainstream cars but cheaper than luxurious sedans. It has a base price of around $19,000, but this can go up to $25,000, depending on the trim level. But those looking for a quality used car can get it at a slightly cheaper price.
FAQ
Is it worth buying the Skoda Rapid?
Yes, the Skoda Rapid is a very outstanding car. It is a good daily driver as it’s reliable, durable, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive. On top of that, its build quality is top-notch and it’s very comfortable. On the contrary, it can be a bad car if you’re searching for a low-maintenance car as it’s quite expensive to look after.
What are the common problems with the Skoda Rapid?
Skoda Rapid is a well-built, highly efficient, high-performance, and quality car. Nonetheless, it also comes with several problems that interested buyers should know about. Some of these issues include oil leakage, defective towing eye, EGR-valve clogging, defective airbag, clogged catalytic converter, turbo charger issues, and DSG automatic gearbox problems.
Why was Skoda Rapid discontinued in India?
The Skoda Rapid didn’t do well in India because of the several problems that the car came with. It had problems with brake failure, power windows, and suspensions. Despite registering several issues, the manufacturer failed to address the problems. Besides, the manufacturer replaced the Skoda Rapid with Skoda Slavia.
Does the Skoda Rapid hold its value?
The Skoda Rapid may be a wonderful sedan with outstanding features, but it does not hold its value well. This is because it is a luxurious car with a high maintenance cost. Additionally, the cost of parts and services is slightly higher than the industry average. So, the Skoda Rapid has a low resale value and most mainstream cars hold their value better.
Which cars are similar to Skoda Rapid?
The Skoda Rapid is an excellent sedan. It performs exceptionally well and it’s reliable. Nonetheless, it also faces stiff competition from close competitors. Some of its closest competitors include Honda City, Toyota Yaris, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, and Volkswagen Vento.
Summary
Generally, the Skoda Rapid is an amazing and excellent car to have. It is sleek, reliable, durable, economical, and fun to drive. However, it’s not an ideal car for people looking for a low-maintenance car. Like every car, it has a few problems that the user should look out for and tackle in good time. With proper care and maintenance, the Skoda Rapid can last for several years.
