Used Skoda Rapid 2012-present review

It’s fair to say that Skoda has enjoyed huge and deserved success in the UK over the past few years, with a range of intelligently made and good value products ranging from the likeable Fabia small car through to the spacious Octavia family holdall and up to the humongous Superb executive, and taking in a couple of choice SUVs on the way.

One model that’s perhaps not on people’s radar as much as those others is the Rapid, a five-door hatchback that looks a little like a saloon and appears to be on closer inspection a shrunken version of the Octavia. It actually sits somewhere between a Ford Fiesta and a Ford Focus in size, and is based on the underpinnings of the smaller Fabia.

Engine options start with two versions of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol, in 94 and 109bhp tune, which were introduced when the Rapid was mildly facelifted in 2017. Prior to the introduction of this engine, you could get a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine in two states of tune: 89 and 108bhp. There was also a 123bhp 1.4 petrol that was only available with an automatic DSG gearbox, and there are also two diesel engines, an 89bhp 1.4 and a 113bhp 1.6.

Surprisingly, the Rapid isn’t over-generously equipped, although there are a number of trim options. Entry-level S trim comes with steel wheels, no Bluetooth or air-con, and your only real luxuries are electrically adjustable door mirrors and electric front windows. SE trim is a little more palatable, with air-con, 15in alloy wheels, Bluetooth, cruise control, rear electric windows, along with a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob. SE L trim gets bigger 16in alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, climate control, a height-adjustable passenger seat, front centre armrest and multi-function steering wheel.

There’s also a Sport trim. This is based on SE trim but mechanically is the same, just with different looks, thanks to black 17in alloy wheels, black door mirrors, front fog lights, a rear spoiler, privacy glass and sports seats. On all trims you had to pay extra for a DAB radio and sat-nav, so it’s worth checking that your used Rapid has had these useful options added.

On the road the Rapid isn’t quite as successful a package as some of the other Skodas. The 1.0-litre engines are great, though, with enough willing performance to push the Rapid along swiftly while providing good economy at the pumps. The earlier 1.2 petrol engines were likewise strong and pleasant, but the diesel-engined options, while punchy and efficient, are noisy.

Approach a corner at speed and you’ll soon find out its handling is pretty average, and its poorly weighted steering robs the driver of confidence. It grips well, though, although it’s certainly not as much fun to drive as some of its rivals, or even the Fabia and the Octavia within its own family. It doesn’t ride very well, either, with plenty of fidgets over ripples and potholes and other irregularities. On top of that it’s not terribly refined, with plenty of road and wind noise on motorways.

Inside is an interior of unyieldingly hard plastics. The driving position is reasonable, though, and the dashboard layout is simple and logical. It does much better when it comes to space, however, with plenty of room up front and a commodius rear that will happily seat two tall rear seat passengers behind two tall front seat ones. The boot is huge, too, although there is a step in the loadbay with the rear seats down. You can’t argue with the space on offer, though.

Find a used Skoda Rapid in the What Car? Classifieds here

High-mileage Rapids can be had for under £4000, but we’d try to seek out one with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, and for that it’d be better to spend between £5000 and £7000. Here you’ll find good cars from 2014, maybe even 2015 from a trader, while £8000 to £10,000 will get you a good selection of cars from 2016 and into 2017.

The most economical Rapid is the gruff 1.4 TDI 90 version, with a claimed official fuel consumption figure of 70.6mpg, and corresponding CO2 emissions figures of 104g/km, followed by the 1.6 TDI 115 with an official figure of 67.3mpg, equating to 109g/km of CO2. The most economical petrol is the 1.0 TSI 95 with a claimed average of 62.8mpg.

Annual car tax for Rapids registered before the tax changes of April 2017 varied but were all low, while those registered after that date will all pay the current flat rate fee of £140.

Insurance groups are low, ranging from 13 to 19 for the 1.4 petrol with the automatic gearbox. Skoda do a number of servicing plans to cater for older Rapids, with a minor service costing a set £149 (10,000 miles or every 12 months) and £269 for a major one (every 20,000 miles or 24 months).

If you can stretch to the post-facelifted car then our favourite engine is the 1.0 TSI 110, a lively and characterful unit that suits the Rapid well. On older cars we’d recommend the 1.2 TSI unit.

The problem with the Rapid’s trim levels is that none of them are especially well equipped, and on all of them a DAB radio and sat-nav are extra, so it’s worth sticking with moderately well equipped SE trim and trying to find a car on which the original owner has splashed out on those two items.

Our favourite Skoda Rapid: 1.0 TSI 110 SE

The Seat Leon is one of our favourite used cars, and was our overall Used Car of the Year in our 2017 Awards. It’s stylish, comfortable, comes with a strong range of engines and low running costs, handles brilliantly and above all is great value for money.

The Vauxhall Astra feels more substantial than the Rapid, and it’s decent to drive, too, with a practical interior. Used examples are good value, and there’s almost as much room inside as the Rapid.

Find a used Skoda Rapid in the What Car? Classifieds here

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here