Skoda Rapid’s an optical illusion

The Skoda Rapid is a handsome looking car

if you’re after a family car that looks like a saloon but has the versatility of a hatchback then you should consider the Skoda Rapid.

The boot in this car is so big that ‘Look at the size of that boot’ is probably the most uttered phrase about it.

The Skoda Rapid is quite a deceptive looking car – it has the body of a saloon but with an elongated hatchback boot.

Sitting between the Skoda Fabia and the newly enlarged Skoda Octavia, the Rapid is the newest member of the Skoda family and a close cousin of the Seat Toledo.

The interior of the Skoda Rapid is spacious and well laid out

The test car was the five-speed, 1.2-litre 85bhp petrol variant and the Skoda Steady would probably have been a better name for it (there are higher powered versions available). Don’t let that take away though from what overall is a decent family car.

I took it all over the country – into the city, around the suburbs, on the motorway and down winding country roads and it was a good drive.

While it’s not the fastest at the lights, it is a steady climber and has no problem holding 120kph when it gets there.

Its long and narrow look belies an agility you wouldn’t expect from a car of its size and it handled well on the country roads and was great fun.

Skoda is renowned for producing spacious cars and the cabin in the Skoda Rapid is no different.

Legroom is generous both in the back as well as the front and there are loads of storage cubbies.

A five seater, three smallies would be quite comfortable in the back, but adults would probably choose just two rear seat passengers. The middle rear seat can also convert to a pull down armrest with cup holders.

A ski hatch links the cabin to the boot and cargo space can be easily extended by lowering the rear seats – they don’t lie flat though.

There were also reading lights in the back as well as in the front.

The liftback boot in the Skoda Rapid gives excellent access to the massive cargo space

The cloth upholstered seats were comfortable and the instrument panel in the Rapid was well laid out and easy to read. I also liked the digital speed readout.

I was driving the top trim Elegance model and its features include cruise control, air conditioning, Bluetooth and electric wing mirrors. It also had steering wheel mounted controls.

A pretty clever double sided boot mat is available as an option – it’s a normal textile mat on one side and has a washable surface on the other. An ice scraper on the fuel tank cap and a warning vest stored under the front passenger seat are standard in the car.

Overall, I think the Skoda Rapid is a decent sized, well specced and well priced family car that will take you from A to B without any drama.

The Skoda Rapid is available now, with prices starting from €16,515 for the 1.2MPI 75bhp petrol model. The top trim Elegance 1.2 TSI 86bhp variant I was driving cost €21,405.

Tech Spec
Engine: 1.2 TSI 86bph (petrol)
Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 11.8seconds
Maximum Speed: 183km/h
Fuel Economy: 5.1l/100km
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
Annual road tax: €200

Visit the Skoda Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.

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