New Skoda Rapid Road Review

Every year we see slew of new products being launched in the automotive market, some are me too products while others post a stiff competition for contending brands. It is a rare occasion when a game changing product is launched and Skoda has done just that with their new Rapid. It packs a lot of features and gets a right mix performance and comfort, making it a force to reckon with. We got a chance to take the new Rapid for a spin and here is what we made of it.

At first sight the Rapid is a sure shot head turner. Its bedazzling facade has a very captivating appeal with adequate chrome and sharp design elements setting it apart from other contenders. The striking DRLs and projector headlamps add to the sedan's contemporary looks giving it a sporty yet elegant nature. The side and rear profiles are reminiscent of the previous model. On the inside as well the Rapid does feel quite like the Vento, also offering a very rich and premium cabin.

At the heart of the Rapid is a 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder diesel mill which puts out 108bhp of power and 250Nm of torque. The Rapid is also available with a 1.6 litre petrol engine. Peak power on the diesel TDI variant which we drove comes in at 4000rpm while peak torque is achieve as low as 1500rpm going up to 2500rpm. With 250Nm of torque available low in the rev band, the Rapid is capable of lunging forward effortlessly and sustaining the surge catering to a very punchy and thrilling drive. The engine revs freely upto 5000rpm after which not much is on offer. The manual version of the Rapid is available with a 5-speed gearbox. The sedan is quick through the first three gears but the fourth and fifth gears have much taller ratios which can really be stretched on open patches of highway.

Aside from the punchy motor and racy performance, the Rapid also delivers superb levels of fuel efficiency. The diesel TDI manual variant is capable of returning 21.13kms to a litre of fuel and can deliver anywhere between 15-17kmpl in city traffic. The gear shifts feel smooth and crisp with short throws making changing gears a delightful experience. The clutch leans toward the heavier side and may be a little unnerving in congested traffic, however the Rapid TDI is also offered with the famed DSG 7-Speed gearbox which out performs in almost all driving conditions.

Riding on a McPherson Strut suspension in the front and a compound link crank axle in the rear, the Skoda Rapid gets a very solid ride and feels planted to the road no matter what the speed. The suspension is a little taut giving the occupants a sturdy and comfortable ride, the sedan glides over most bad roads and bumps but bigger undulations can toss those seated inside to a fair extent. While cruising on highways at healthy speeds the Rapid inspires a lot of confidence and that is also thanks to a well engineered braking setup. Braking is facilitated by discs in the front and drums in the rear. Being progressive in nature, the brakes are able to bring this fleet footed ride to a halt in seconds.

The steering is an electro mechanical system which feels firm and steady to hold, it has been weighted well and is precise to driver inputs. The availability of adjusting the steering for rake and reach also enables the driver to get into a comfy position and relax while traversing long distances as well. Speaking of long distances, the Rapid gets a spacious boot capable of holding 460 litres of cargo, more than adequate for your weekend getaway. The sedan has a fuel tank capacity of 55 litres giving it a range of more than 900kms on a single tank of diesel.

In terms of kit the Rapid gets a 6.5' touch screen infotainment setup with steering mounted controls and inputs for USB, AUX and Bluetooth. It also gets MirrorLink connectivity, automatic climate control, electrically foldable and retractable ORVMs, rear AC vents, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, remote boot lid release, cooled glovebox, front and rear arm rests along with plenty of storage spaces and cubby holes. The sedan also packs ample of driver aids such as front and rear fog lamps, anti glare IRVM, timed rear defogger, ABS, Hill Hold Control(Only in DSG variant), Electronic Stability Control, rear parking sensors, height adjustable seat belts, speed sensing auto door locks and much more.

The Skoda Rapid also offers buyers a very spacious cabin with ample of seating space in the front and in the rear. The seats offer a good amount of bolstering and lumbar support up front and the rear bench also gives occupants adequate under thigh and back support. The bench in the rear can easily fit three adults but the floor hunch is a tad bit taller than usual, which may leave the occupant in the middle fighting for space. All in all, the Skoda Rapid packs the best of all worlds, it has the right amount of features, performance, safety and space, which when combined with edgy looks and a price of Rs. 11.56 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) feels like a steal.