For the new model, Skoda used familiar components. The chassis of the Fabia was stretched considerably, which means that the Rapid is still a B-segmenter. But a very large one, with a wheelbase of no less than 2.60 metres. Familiar TSI and TDI engines appeared under the bonnet. The Rapid even made the transition from 1.2 TSI to three-cylinder 1.0 TSI: in 2017, the former was replaced by the engine that is still widely available today. It’s a Skoda, so… Spacious and practical? “Recently a weekend away with 5 people in the Netherlands and this was fine”, according to the driver of a Rapid Spaceback from 2018. “Sufficient luggage space and the children kept each other in the back. (16, 14 and 11). The children have enough legroom and can easily handle a trip of a few hours if necessary.” Sounds like a ‘yes’, which is confirmed by another Rapid Spaceback driver. “A buddy of mine drives the new Renault Megane (5d), which has considerably less interior space than I do. Even the obligatory trip to Intratuin to refresh the flower boxes was no problem, everything fits neatly in the trunk.” A third Spaceback user is also very satisfied. “In terms of space, you are really comfortable in this Skoda Rapid,” he writes. “We especially noticed this when we were looking for a new car: You are more cramped in a Volvo XC40 (I am tall…)! The trunk is of course not a size like the Octavia, but you can certainly drive past IKEA with it.” The owner of a Rapid liftback is even more enthusiastic, if possible. “The Rapid also has oceans of space. Not only in the front, in the back but certainly in the trunk. With a boot of no less than 550 litres, it is really enormous and more than the Skoda Fabia Combi or even a ‘larger class’ such as the extremely popular Renault Mégane Station.” This driver does criticize the width of the interior, which initially prevented him from fitting three child seats on the back seat. Eventually, even this turned out to be possible, provided that specific seats were used. Another owner also reported that such a liftback is quite resistant to expansionism. “My son has grown considerably and we now have a dog; all of this also fits in.” Owners remain silent about the seating comfort and we also do not hear them about the operation of their Rapid. As a result, we secretly assume that the car scores at least sufficiently in these areas. Driving the Rapid When it comes to driving, it seems sufficiently further away. “Roadholding when you are alone in the car is a bit disappointing,” experiences the driver of a Rapid Spaceback 1.2 TSI. “Rigid rear axle and a bit high on the legs ensure less firm roadholding in a bit of wind. With 3 people (for example on holiday) this is not a problem.” The driver of another 1.2 TSI uses even clearer words. “The Rapid has an unprecedentedly hard suspension,” he writes. “Small bumps are not even processed at all. On the back seat, the suspension comfort is reminiscent of that of an empty van. After a ride on the back seat, you get out of this car feeling shattered. Only when the car and boot are completely full does some liveliness come into the suspension and the sharp edges are taken off.” It is not all misery: “A positive point of all the hardness is excellent road holding.” Another driver likes to put the driving experience into perspective. “The car is very hard sprung, it could easily be a bit more comfortable,” this driver says about his Spaceback 1.0 TSI. “But yes, during test drives I made with French cars that are supposedly comfortable, it was just as hard… Apparently it has to be these days, ‘sporty’.” A liftback driver also puts his two cents in. “A lot has already been said about the chassis. The Skoda is somewhat hard sprung. This should not spoil the fun and is particularly noticeable on cobblestone roads and roundabouts. It also gives the feeling that you are driving a sports car. Another positive aspect is the roadholding. The car is like a block on the road. Especially when the aids are switched off, you can drive this car quite nicely and with screeching tires over a roundabout.” Now that we are talking about noise: this also appears to be a sore point. Several drivers indicate that the Rapid is just a bit too noisy for their taste. Maintenance, malfunctions and irritations When it comes to maintenance and repair issues, the Rapid is in good shape. Based on our user experiences, there are few structural problems. This does not mean that every Rapid functions without problems, for example a 1.2 TSI driver had to deal with a defective oil pump. A little later this driver reports that water was discovered in a rear door. This appears to occur more often, both with the Spaceback and the liftback. “I had the first problem with this car around 20,000 km”, writes the driver of a liftback. “After a lot of rain, suddenly water in the door. This was quite annoying and really splashed in all directions that even the radio had to be turned up to volume 10.” A simple adjustment by the dealer yielded results. “Now 40,000 km later I can report that the problem has indeed not returned,” this driver reports. Two liftback drivers also report droning noises while driving. “You absolutely cannot drive without hearing protection,” writes one of them. “The car has been in various garages for 4 months now but no one can solve it.” The other driver: “The car has been to the importer for the noises from the tailgate/suspension. Without result. This is also a known problem. Googling Rapid and droning or Rapid and dröhnen (German) shows that many people are affected by this.” In general, Skoda drivers are satisfied with their car in practice. This also applies in principle to the Rapid, although the comfort on board barely gets a pass. A characteristic that is compensated for with class-transcending space in both the Spaceback and the Liftback, as befits a car of this brand.
Source: www.autoweek.nl
