Review of the people's car Skoda Rapid

The Skoda Rapid is a unique and practical car in many ways. The liftback body is far from its only advantage.

In Russia, a B-class car, as a rule, is the only one in the family for all occasions: it is used to go to work and to the dacha, to visit and on vacation. The lion's share of this segment is occupied by state employees. Skoda Rapid is also among the available ones. Prices for cars of various modifications range from 604 thousand to 990 thousand rubles, while in the first quarter of this year the weighted average price of a new foreign car in Russia was 1.34 million rubles. Skoda is among the top ten leaders in the Russian market, and Rapid is among the top 15 most popular models.

Body and trunk

Skoda Rapid

Trunk Skoda Rapid

Trunk Skoda Rapid
The main competitive advantage is the liftback body. Sedans, of which the majority are in the class, are impractical because they are poorly suited for carrying cargo. Hatchbacks only work well with the rear seat folded down - but if there are five people in the car, there is not much space left for luggage. There are no modern station wagons in the segment at all. And the liftback combines the advantages of all three types of bodies. In profile it is a sedan beloved by Russians, in terms of ease of loading it is a hatchback, in terms of capacity it is almost a station wagon. The Rapid's trunk volume is 530 liters! This is only 38 liters less than the Octavia, and more than any of its direct competitors. You don’t have to lift heavy things high: the loading height is 720 mm (according to experts’ standards). The trunk is not only large, but also well thought out. Behind the wheel arches are plastic pockets for small items. To secure luggage, there are three grids that can be attached vertically, horizontally and even diagonally. Small bendable corners with Velcro will also come to the rescue; they can secure even very heavy objects, for example, a “motorist’s kit” with a fire extinguisher. It's easy to survive even long journeys in the back seat. The amount of space is huge!

Skoda Rapid or golf class: how to choose the right budget car

Highway 91 in Greece is the most scenic road in the entire Balkan Peninsula. The section leading from Athens to the south is especially good: rocks, sea and endless turns. This is where the character of the updated Skoda Rapid is revealed - the 1.4-liter TSI spins fervently on straightaways, the DSG robot dashingly juggles gears, and the rear wheels in long arcs almost imperceptibly, but still whistle.

Roads in Greece have not been repaired since the 2004 Olympics, so deep potholes are no less common here than in the vicinity of Volgograd. Rapid is accustomed to this state of affairs: the suspension diligently works out all the defects of the canvas, but sometimes it does it too roughly.

Colleague Evgeny Bagdasarov has already examined the updated Rapid almost under a magnifying glass, and David Akopyan even managed to compare it with the new generation Kia Rio. Everyone agreed that the Skoda Rapid is an ideal representative of the B-class in Russia, although in some trim levels it is too expensive.

It is very roomy, it has the longest list of options, which even includes xenon optics and a keyless entry system. All this ultimately had a strong impact on prices: if the basic Rapid (which is mainly driven by taxi drivers) is valued by dealers at 600-700 thousand rubles, then the most equipped versions with all packages of options cost more than 1.2 million rubles. Using the updated Rapid as an example, we decided to compile instructions on how to choose the right budget car in 2021.

Skoda offers the Rapid with a choice of three engines: naturally-aspirated 1.6 liters (90 and 110 hp), as well as a turbocharged 1.4 TSI (125 hp). If the first two work with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed automatic transmission, then the top-end supercharged engine is equipped with only a 7-speed DSG robot.

Most often, Rapid is purchased with a 1.6 liter engine, which is considered more reliable and unpretentious. However, a liftback with a turbocharged and naturally aspirated engine is two completely different cars. It’s better to sacrifice some options, but choose 1.4 TSI instead of 1.6 - this Rapid is noticeably more dynamic and exciting. During sharp starts from a standstill, it allows even slight slipping, and overtaking on the highway is easier for this “Rapid”. In addition, in everyday use it is significantly more economical than the 1.6 version - taking into account traffic jams, the average consumption during the test in Greece was 7-8 liters per 100 kilometers.

Salon

Salon of the Skoda Rapid
In terms of the distance between the backs of the front and rear seats, the Skoda Rapid 2021 leaves no chance for its classmates, and from the “C” segment only one car stands on an equal footing with it – all the others are closer.
A reading lamp and four coat hooks are included as standard. On richer versions at the rear there are electric windows, three headrests, a folding armrest with a pair of cup holders. There are heated rear seats and USB connectors for charging gadgets, but you have to choose one: the connectors and buttons on the rear end of the armrest do not fit together. Heated windshield washer nozzles are included in all versions without exception. Additionally, you can order bi-xenon headlights, and they come with a washer and automatic switching of low and high beams. None of our competitors have such a system yet. Front parking sensors and a multimedia system with navigation, support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink (allows you to transfer the smartphone desktop to the car display) are not often found on cars of this class. Comfortable! Listing all the advantages of the Skoda Rapid 2021 liftback, you understand why choosing a Czech car becomes not just rational, but the only possible one.

Engines for Rapid

Model configurations differ not only in the presence of additional functions, chassis parameters, but also in engine type. When buying a car manufactured in 2018-2019 in Russia, you can choose one of three internal combustion engines:

CFW – 1.6 l, 90 hp, gasoline, distributed injection;
CWVA – 1.6 l, 110 hp, gasoline, distributed injection;
CZCA – 1.4 l, 125 hp, petrol, turbocharged, direct injection.

In total, during the production of the current generation of Skoda Rapid, six types of engines were used. And when buying a used car of this model, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of each power unit.

Types of engines used in Skoda Rapid cars since 2012

restyling, from 02.2017 to present
Brand	Volume, l	Power, hp	Options
CZCA	1.4	125	1.4 TSI DSG
C.W.V.A.	1.6	110	1.6 MPI MT
1.6 MPI AT
CFW	1.6	90	1.6 MPI MT
Before restyling, from 09.2012 to 09.2017
Brand	Volume, l	Power, hp	Options
CGPC	1.2	75	1.2 MPI MT
CAXA	1.4	122	1.4 TSI DSG
CZCA	1.4	125	1.4 TSI DSG
CFNA	1.6	105	1.6 MPI MT
C.W.V.A.	1.6	110	1.6 MPI MT
CFW	1.6	90	1.6 MPI MT

At first, the basic type of motor of the model was CGPC. It had a small volume of 1.2 liters and was three-cylinder. Its design is a cast aluminum body with embedded cast iron sleeves. The engine has distributed injection. It does not have high power, relative to other modifications of the line, which, however, leads to low fuel consumption.

Drivers often praised the engine for its efficiency, and some even recommended the package for driving within the city. The maximum speed was 175 km/h, acceleration to 100 km/h was accomplished in 13.9 seconds. Cars with this engine were equipped with a manual transmission (five-speed).

Later, the manufacturer refused to install 1.2 liter engines on the Rapid. Also, CAXA type motors were no longer installed on the model; they were replaced by more powerful, improved CZCA. When the EA111 series of internal combustion engines was replaced by the new development EA211, it was replaced by 105 hp engines. the now popular 110-horsepower CWVA arrived.

SAHA 1.4 liters

Vehicle Features

Skoda Rapid
Another advantage of the Skoda Rapid is the ability to choose between the modern and nimble 1.4 TSI turbo engine (125 hp) and the time-tested naturally aspirated 1.6, which is available in both a tax-efficient 90-horsepower version and a more powerful 110-horsepower version. And you can choose a gearbox: manual, classic automatic or DSG robot with two clutches. The optional sports seats with integrated headrests will appeal to admirers of the German design school, and they are inexpensively priced in Czech style. This, by the way, is another unique option of Rapid. From behind, the Skoda Rapid can easily be confused with the more solid Octavia, especially now that “rich” LED lights have appeared in its arsenal. The Rapid provides rear riders with royal space for a B-class car. In terms of additional comfort, the smallest “Czech” on our market is also no slouch. In the trunk there are two hooks for bags, a 12 V socket, a special place (under the threshold) for a warning triangle and a standard set of tools. Basic wheels are 14-inch, expensive modifications have two sizes larger. Stylish black wheels are part of the Monte Carlo package. In the top-end Style configuration, the Skoda Rapid has a chrome molding at the bottom of the bumper, in harmony with the line of running lights. The Monte Carlo car posing for us prefers contrasting sporty accents. A split rear seatback appears on the Rapid Ambition trim level. The center armrest not only adds comfort to rear passengers, but also serves as a large hatch for long luggage. The turn signal repeaters have moved from the wings to the mirror housings. The ice scraper has become synonymous with the phrase Simply Clever. You can secure cargo of any size, shape and weight in the trunk. New LED rear lights make the Rapid similar to the more prestigious Octavia. A luxurious top-end multimedia system will be expensive on single copies of Rapid. But it's worth the money because it offers not only navigation, but also a variety of ways to interact with smartphones, which is coming to the fore these days. The rear view camera is stationary. A separate washer ensures its cleanliness. A proven and inexpensive solution for Russian conditions. The marking lines on the display are motionless, but parking sensors help. The amount of chrome on the changed ventilation deflectors increases as you approach the maximum configuration. The eyeglass case has a soft finish to prevent the glass from being scratched. For rear passengers, you can order USB connectors or heated seats. In the crowds of big cities, front parking sensors are a necessary help even on a compact car. In the glove box there are attributes of a multimedia complex. The design of the climate control control unit has been refreshed. There are no complaints about the quality of the automatic mode. A branded umbrella is nestled under the passenger seat. Instruments - with new scales. They read excellently.

Restyling 2021

In 2021, Rapid experienced a barely noticeable update. But perhaps it's for the better. One has only to remember what VAG designers did with the front end of the Octavia, and the delicate changes in the appearance of the Rapid evoke sympathy. Instead of incandescent lamps, there are now LEDs in the optics, they are in the fog lights, and in the running lights, and in the lanterns. The turn signal indicators have been moved from the wings to the mirror housings. Optionally, you can equip the Rapid with modern bi-xenon headlights.

There are minimal innovations in the interior. Finishing materials are at a classically low level for all B-segment cars. Connectors for charging gadgets appeared in the back row. However, they are not compatible with the optional sofa heating.

Moving into the driver's seat, you immediately notice the modernized climate control unit and a new multimedia system with an 8-inch screen diagonal. It displays readings from the front parking sensors, also a new option. In addition, you can now easily synchronize your smartphone on iOS and Android with the head unit.

Maintenance schedule for Skoda Rapid

List of main works	15t.km	30 t.km	45 t.km	60 t.km	75 t.km	90 t.km	105t.km	120t.km
Brake pad inspection	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT
Changing the engine oil	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z
Oil filter	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z
Oil pan plug	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z
Cabin filter	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z	Z
Fuel filter (Diesel)	Z	Z	Z	Z
Fuel filter (Gasoline)	Z	Z
Air filter	Z	Z	Z	Z
Spark plug	ABOUT	Z	O	Z
Power steering fluid	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	Z	ABOUT	ABOUT
Antifreeze	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	Z	ABOUT	ABOUT
Brake fluid	replacement every 2 years
ATF in automatic transmission	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT	ABOUT
Changing the DSG oil and filter (6-speed)	Z	Z
Replacing the timing belt/chain	O	Z	ABOUT