Skoda

Rapid/Rapid Spaceback

This compact hatchback is spacious and elegant, but certainly remains affordable. It has enough space to accommodate a family complete with luggage and also comes with a range of engines to choose from.

The good

Excellent value for money

The bad

In a highly competitive segment

Tech Specs

Price from

£13,500

Combined Fuel up to

78.5mpg

0-62 from

8.9 seconds

max speed up to

129mph

co2 from

94g/km

Test Drive

Skoda Rapid Spaceback GreenLine 1.6 TDi 90PS

Following on from the success of the Skoda Rapid is the new Spaceback version and it’s guaranteed to turn a few heads not only with its dashing good looks but thanks to incredibly impressive economy figures.

The Rapid Spaceback looks great from any approach thanks to its sporty design, daytime running lights, smart 15-inch alloys, front fog lights, tinted windows, plus stand-out GreenLine badging on the front grille and boot.

And the Tardis-like interior is equally impressive and exceptionally spacious with plenty of techno treats along the way such as a sound system with CD player, electric windows in the front, air conditioning, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, electrically-adjustable and heated door mirrors and plenty more besides.

Comfort levels are very good and the interior has been designed in a clutter-free, easy-to-use manner with all dials, controls and read-outs ideally positioned.

And when it comes to performance and handling, the Rapid Spaceback can also hold its head up high.

Admittedly it’s not the fastest out of the starting blocks with a 0-62mph spring time of 11.9 seconds and top speed of 114mph.

But it’s definitely worth remembering that this is a GreenLine model and that translates into excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions.

And to highlight the fact, the test car had official combined fuel economy figures of 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km – and in some books that’s worth losing a little of the blistering acceleration for.

The car handles really well and is very easy and relaxing to drive. Acceleration through the five-speed manual gearbox is beautifully smooth and an auto stop/start feature along with a gear-shift indicator helps you to maximise fuel efficiency.

The 1.6-litre diesel-driven engine is highly efficient and there is always ample power on tap.

The driver is treated to excellent all-round visibility and there is ample space for two adults to stretch out in the back. That said, I did find the ride was a little bumpy in the rear seats (possibly down to poor road surfaces) and it seemed a little noisy when the sound system was muted.

But those minor gripes aside, the Skoda Rapid Spaceback is a winner all the way to the bank thanks to its outstanding economy and very appealing asking price – the test car was priced at £17,645 which included £450 of optional extras.

And as one would expect, the car is fitted with a comprehensive range of safety features to help protect all occupants.

All in all, the Skoda Rapid Spaceback is a very reasonably-priced car that delivers outstanding efficiency and lots of flexibility.

It makes for the perfect combination of style, economy and performance which scores 10 out of 10 for the active family who don’t want to be stopping at service stations every two hours.

Test Drive

Skoda Rapid Spaceback

Skoda is a company that’s certainly going places with soaring sales and an ever-growing line-up of vehicles to suit all tastes and budgets.

The latest model to be launched by the Czech company is the Rapid Spaceback, the second car in the Rapid range.

The richly-equipped model boasts a fresh dynamic design, sector-best rear head and legroom, impressive economy and a whole range of personalisation options.

Priced between £14,340 and £18,900 there is a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines to select from, along with three trim levels – S, SE and Elegance.

Customers can also choose between the manual and the advanced DSG automatic transmissions and there is a GreenLine model with carbon emissions of just 99g/km and combined fuel economy of 74.3mpg, which makes this particular Spaceback a very economical option.

Whereas the standard Rapid is based on saloon-type styling, the Rapid Spaceback looks much more like a traditional hatchback with a very sporty, athletic stance and smooth, clean, flowing lines.

The front end features Skoda’s very distinctive 19-vertical slat grille with chrome frame, which leads to the smart light clusters, dipping in the centre to accommodate the new Skoda logo.

The generously-sized boot offers 415 litres of space (135 litres less than the Rapid) which increases to 1,380 litres with the rear seats folded.

Although it is based on the Rapid’s interior, the Spaceback introduces new trim and seat fabrics plus a sporty three-spoke steering wheel.

The interior is clutter-free and neatly designed. The V-shaped centre console that rises from the footwell to the dashboard, houses the car’s infotainment system and all the ventilation controls, and all switches and readouts are perfectly positioned for ease of use. The white needles and numbers on the instrument dials look really classy.

All trim levels are packed with features as standard. For example, the entry level S grade has a CD radio with four speakers, manual air conditioning, daytime running lights, a dust and pollen filter, front electric windows and lots more.

Step up to SE grade and you can expect to see rear parking sensors, a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth and 15-inch alloys.

Range-topping Elegance adds cornering front fog lights, 16-inch alloys and cruise control amongst other features.

And the optional extras include Style and Sport packs which feature a black spoiler and the largest panoramic roof ever offered by Skoda.

Skoda has developed quite a reputation for its Simply Clever aspects – and on the Spaceback, they include a warning vest holder under the front seat (a requirement in many European countries), an ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap and numerous handy storage compartments tucked away throughout the car.

We tested a couple of models that Skoda believes will be the top-sellers.

First up was the 1.6-litre diesel with 90PS in SE trim priced at £17,280 – £19,880 with options fitted. This car can sprint from 0-62mph in 11.9 seconds and has a top speed of 113mph. According to official figures it can deliver 64.2mpg on a combined run and has emissions of 114g/km.

The car handled beautifully- it was comfortable, spacious and easy to drive. It did seem a little noisy at times, but the overall driving experience was good.

The acceleration through the five-speed manual transmission was smooth and responsive and there always appeared to be ample power on tap to attack bends with confidence.

It’s also worth noting the vast space rear passengers have to stretch out. This is a car there the kids won’t mind being relegated to the back!

The test car was kitted out with the Sport and Style packs which added £1,600 to the price-tag and introduced sports seats, the rear spoiler, elongated tailgate glass, the massive panoramic sunroof and a few other features.

Next up was the 1.2-litre petrol-driven model with 86PS, also in SE trim, but without the optional packs. This car was priced at £15,480 – £16,975 with a few extras added. It can reach 62mph in 11.7 seconds and tops out at 112mph. Figures show it has carbon emissions of 119g/km and can deliver 55.4mpg on a combined run.

I found this particular model more responsive than its diesel counterpart. It felt shaper and much livelier, with improved driving dynamics. It was also a lot quieter.

Clearly business drivers who clock up the motorway miles will see the benefits of the diesel version, but for everyday family life the petrol model would be my preferred choice.

All in all, the Skoda Rapid Spaceback is a lively, fun-packed hatchback with good economy, plenty of on-board technology, personalisation options and a price-tag that will keep you on speaking terms with your bank manager.

Test Drive

Skoda Rapid

Skoda prides itself on producing cars that are exceptional value, ooze engineering excellence and still have a human touch.

And the brand’s latest model – the seventh in its current line-up – embodies all those core values and more.

The Rapid is an eye-catching, feature-rich, spacious, economical, family car which is big on practicality and value.

But make no mistake, there is nothing bland or boring about the Rapid and with starting prices from just £12,900 and a host of engines and spec levels to choose from, it is a car for anyone and everyone.

Fitting neatly between the Fabia and Octavia in Skoda’s impressive list of cars, the Rapid looks great from any angle and makes an immediate impact.

Design touches include a rippled bonnet with the striking Skoda emblem embedded into the front centre section, a flowing roofline that creates a coupe appearance, tinted windows, strong shoulder lines, four front headlamps, shaped rear lights, a distinctive grille with slim chrome surround and plenty more besides.

There are a number of what Skoda describes as Simply Clever solutions such as an ice scrapper located in the fuel filler cap, a parking ticket holder, a double-sided boot mat with carpet one side and rubber the other, boot hooks to keep shopping bags upright and multi-media device holders.

Once inside, it’s impossible not to be impressed with the vast volumes of space.

Anyone over six foot tall knows how uncomfortable it can be travelling in the back of a car, but not so the Rapid.

Passengers of the extra tall variety can literally stretch out with oodles of leg and head room thanks to the car’s long wheelbase and raised roofline.

The boot can accommodate 550 litres with the seats raised and this can quickly be increased to 1,490 litres with the split-folding rear seats folded flat.

The interior features crisp, clear lines with distinctive angles that really add a touch of class to the car.

Even the top of the dashboard has been made totally clutter-free and designed in black so as to prevent any glare in the windscreen.

All the controls are neatly located in a central stack and although the car is feature-rich with plenty of built in technology there is a nice simplistic feel to it.

This thought was echoed by Peter Olah, Skoda’s design coordinator, who said: “There are clear, centralised controls. We want customers to be able to get in and drive the car immediately, not have to read a manual first.”

Buyers have three trims to choose from – S, SE and Elegance.

The basic S spec boasts plenty of creature comforts such as daytime running lights, a CD radio with MP3 compatibility and four loudspeakers, dust and pollen filter, 15-inch steel wheels, front electrically-operated windows and plenty more besides.

Move up to SE and expect to see 15-inch alloys, six loudspeakers, tinted glass, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, a glasses storage compartment, manual air con and Bluetooth connectivity.

Then finally, step up to Elegance and you will find cruise control, 16-inch alloys, electric windows, and lots of controls on the multi-function steering wheel.

All Rapid models boast excellent all-round safety specifications and a whole host of optional extras can help buyers really personalise their car.

Skoda believes the 1.6 diesel model will prove the most popular so we tested out the 105PS version with top-of-the-range Elegance trim fitted.

And boy, did it live up to the big build-up!

The 1.6-litre engine was responsive and the power kept on coming. Acceleration was smooth and rapid and the five-speed transmission also nice and sharp.

Comfort levels were high and cabin noise low… even at higher speeds along winding country lanes.

This particular model reaches from 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds and tops out at 118mph. It has combined fuel efficiency of 64.2mpg with carbon emissions of 114g/km.

After a lengthy test run, it’s clear to see just why Skoda is so upbeat about this latest model. It’s fun, full of character and charm, it’s comfortable, economical and above all, boasts a price-tag that will leave you on speaking terms with your bank manager.