Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Skoda Rapid hatchback (2012-2019)

"It's one you'll buy with your head rather than your heart, but the Skoda Rapid is a very practical, affordable and dependable family car"

Carbuyer Rating

3.1 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Impressively low running costs
  • Exceptional value for money
  • Very practical

Cons

  • Uninspired design
  • Rivals are more fun to drive
  • Competitors are more comfortable

After it called one car the Skoda Superb, you might be forgiven for thinking the Czech brand is taking things too far with the Rapid, but actually the name dates all the way back to 1935.

While the original Rapid was also a mid-range car, we can’t help but feel it sounds a bit optimistic for the latest incarnation, which comes with a 1.4-litre petrol engine in its most powerful guise. It's also not as much fun behind the wheel as the SEAT Leon, Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra; a better name might have been the 'Skoda Useful' or 'Skoda Sensible'.

Advertisement - Article continues below

That's because the Rapid's biggest strength is its impressive practicality, with a big boot and four large doors to allow occupants to get in and out very easily. It looks reasonably upmarket, too; rather like an Octavia that's been shrunk in the wash. A facelift in 2017 added LED daytime running lights and redesigned bumpers to freshen things up.

The Rapid's interior is as you'd expect, too, featuring sturdy materials and clear controls, with little money apparently having been spent on flashy design elements. Rear legroom is strong for the class, but the car is quite narrow, so it’s a tight squeeze with three passengers in the back.

With a design brief clearly targeting functionality, the Rapid won’t appeal to the same customers as a SEAT Leon or Volkswagen Golf, and from behind the wheel it feels like it wants to get from A to B with the minimum of fuss.

This is reflected in its styling, with simple, strong lines, but very few curves or haunches to raise the pulse of a driving enthusiast, while the range of small turbocharged petrol and diesel engines has been tuned for economy and reliability rather than speed.

Trim levels start with S and work their way up through SE, Sport and SE L. The entry-level version is quite basic, but the SE is far better, with air-conditioning, alloy wheels, cruise control and Bluetooth included. Sport improves the exterior styling and adds more supportive seats. The top SE L version benefits from climate control, rear parking sensors, chrome interior trim and controls on the steering wheel.

In our 2016 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, the Skoda Rapid came 88th overall, with a 69th-place finish for reliability. This isn’t a bad result and Skoda's third place out of 32 manufacturers is reassuring.

We can’t help but think, however, that for only slightly more money, the Skoda Octavia is better equipped and better to drive than the Rapid. Not only that, but it came an impressive seventh in our 2016 Driver Power poll.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Volkswagen Black Editions: T-Cross and Tiguan get a stylish upgrade
Tiguan Black Edition
News
10 Dec 2024

Volkswagen Black Editions: T-Cross and Tiguan get a stylish upgrade

Skoda Elroq review – a great-value compact electric SUV
Skoda Elroq
In-depth reviews
9 Dec 2024

Skoda Elroq review – a great-value compact electric SUV

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
13 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Skoda Scala 2019: prices, specifications and on-sale date
Skoda Scala
News
12 Mar 2019

Skoda Scala 2019: prices, specifications and on-sale date

All-new Skoda Scala replaces the Rapid with a focus on practicality; on sale in 2019
Skoda Vision RS concept hints at new Golf rival
News
7 Oct 2018

Skoda Vision RS concept hints at new Golf rival

Sporty concept unveiled at Paris Motor Show ahead of new Skoda Rapid launch
Skoda Rapid Spaceback hatchback (2013-2019)
In-depth reviews
25 Sep 2017

Skoda Rapid Spaceback hatchback (2013-2019)

"The Skoda Rapid Spaceback is the trendy version of the Rapid, with an elongated roofline but shorter boot. Read on if you're after an affordable and …
Fastest-ever Skoda Octavia revealed
News
20 Feb 2015

Fastest-ever Skoda Octavia revealed

155mph Skoda Octavia vRS leads a raft of new versions across Skoda's range
Skoda Rapid special editions launched
News
14 Jan 2014

Skoda Rapid special editions launched

Skoda Rapid SE Connect and Skoda Rapid Sport add extra kit to standard models
Skoda Rapid Spaceback price & release date
Skoda Rapid Spaceback hatchback 2013 main
News
3 Oct 2013

Skoda Rapid Spaceback price & release date

All the latest details on the Skoda Rapid Spaceback, on sale later this month
Car deal of the week: Skoda Rapid hatchback
News
14 Jun 2013

Car deal of the week: Skoda Rapid hatchback

The Skoda Rapid is now available with free servicing and a £1,000 deposit contribution

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024