Skoda Rapid in Russia, specifications, configurations, reviews, pros and cons

This is not the first time that the name “Rapid” has been repeated.

The leaders of the Czech company Skoda do not like to come up with names for car models, and often take the names of pre-existing cars for new brands. This happened with Superb, Octavia, and this happened with Skoda Rapid.

Moreover, the name “Rapid” is repeated for the fourth time in the history of the company: first it was a car produced from 1935 to 1947, then a 2-door coupe (1984-1990), and for the Indian market at the end of 2011 under this A compact sedan (based on the Volkswagen Vento) was launched into mass production under the same name.

The Skoda Rapid liftback, popular and well-known in Russia, was first shown at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, and at the end of the same year its sales started in Western Europe.

The subcompact car “came” to Russia in February 2014, the assembly of the model was mastered at the Kaluga Automobile Plant.

Czech liftback in Russia

The basis of the Rapid was the A05+ platform of the Volkswagen company, on the same basis the following were created:

VW Polo sedan;
Audi A1;
Seat Ibiza 4th generation;
Seat Toledo-4.

Direct competitors of the liftback are Hyundai Solaris, Renault Logan-2, Volkswagen Polo Sedan.

The Rapid design is “branded” - the car is easily recognizable by its original radiator grille, large round emblem, and the classic rectangular shape of the headlights.

The appearance of the car is calm: there is no aggression in its appearance, the body features are correct and strict.

The 2021 Skoda Rapid is offered in 12 body colors – three basic, nine metallic and one somewhat unusual yellow pearl color.

It is easy to open the hood of the car; it is in the “right” place. From the rear, the car looks normal, but the rear of the body is somewhat chopped off; the “rear” of the Czech liftback could look prettier.

But the trunk is impressive in size immediately after opening the door with glass - the volume of the cargo compartment, even in the standard version, is 530 liters.

If the rear seats are folded down, the useful luggage area increases to 1,470 liters, and such figures can be considered a record for a compact B-Class car.

Interior

The seats in the cabin are located quite low; the driver and passengers almost always touch the threshold with their feet when getting into the car.

The front seats are comfortable, the steering wheel is pleasant to the touch, but the interior is simple, which affects the budget class of the vehicle.

There is quite enough space for passengers in the rear, although there could be more headroom, and only two passengers can fit comfortably here.

The interior of the Skoda Rapid is “Volkswagen style” ergonomic - all levers and buttons are at hand, the controls are intuitive.

The interior plastic is hard and inexpensive, but it is easy to clean and wash without leaving marks on it.

But it is very easy to scratch the windshield, so it is recommended to wipe it only with a very soft cloth, and preferably not with a dry cloth.

Powertrains and transmission

The Skoda Rapid engines of the Russian-assembled car are all gasoline; there are three types of power units in total:

1.6 MPI - 90 l. With.;
1.4 TSI - 125 l. With.;
1.6 MPI - 110 l. With.

There are also three types of gearboxes - 5-speed. "mechanics", 6-speed "automatic" and 7-speed “robot” with 2 clutches, the wheel drive in all versions is front-wheel drive.

The basic version of the model is represented by a 90-horsepower engine and a 5-speed manual transmission; a manual transmission can also be paired with a 110-horsepower internal combustion engine. With.

The 1.4 l engine is installed only together with a DSG robotic gearbox, and this option is the “fastest”:

acceleration to 100 km/h in 9 seconds;
max speed – 208 km/h.

Specifications

The composition of the Skoda Rapid powertrain line for the domestic market has not changed. Basic versions offer a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit with two camshafts, producing 90 horsepower and 155 Nm of torque. Only a five-speed manual is available for it. For an additional fee, you can buy a forced version of the same unit. It develops 110 forces with the same torque indicator. For it, in addition to classical mechanics, a classic Aisin hydromechanical automatic transmission with six operating ranges is available. Older versions are equipped with a more modern 1.4-liter TSI inline-four with turbocharging and direct injection. Its output is 125 hp and 200 Nm. This engine only works in tandem with a seven-speed preselective DSG robot. In all cases, the drive is exclusively front-wheel drive.

Skoda Rapid configuration

In total, Russian car owners have a choice of four trim levels, the basic one being the Entry modification.

The standard version of Rapid is quite modest in equipment; the options here are as follows:

steering wheel airbag;
directional stability system;
electric front windows;
ABS and EBD systems;
trip computer;
immobilizer;
heating of washer nozzles;
radio training.

The car is equipped with a full-size spare wheel, the steering column can be adjusted both for reach and tilt.

The price of the Skoda Rapid Entry in 2021 is from 585 thousand rubles, the manufacturer provides a two-year warranty without mileage restrictions or three years, but only if the mileage does not exceed 100 thousand km.

Other car configurations are Active, Ambition and Style, the last of those listed is the most “charged”.

In addition to the standard equipment, the Style modification provides:

front passenger airbag;
Hill Assist System;
alloy wheels R15;
leather steering wheel;
fog lights;
climate control (instead of standard air conditioning);
heated mirrors/front seats;
all electric window lifts;
Cruise control;
central locking.

Additional packages of options are available for an additional fee, and at the client’s request, parking sensors, a multifunction steering wheel, an engine start button, a bluetooth system and much more can be installed.

Cons of the Skoda Rapid

You cannot buy the basic equipment of VAG cars. Especially if we are talking about “bases” in budget cars. Manufacturers make it so meager that you want to thank it for the presence of a steering wheel and four wheels. The Rapid base does not have electric windows, air conditioning, multimedia, or remote control for central locking. But there is ABS and even one airbag. Perhaps this is all the equipment of the starting package. The “full stuffing” versions are richer, but they also cost narrower, like the Octavia.

Very uncomfortable chairs. On a long journey, your back aches and hurts as if you were riding on a stool. Passengers from above are still pressed down by the excessively low ceiling - “hello” from the fashionable sloping liftback body.

Also read: The safest cars in case of collisions on the road

Sound insulation in Rapid is exactly the same as in Vesta, Solaris or other budget cars. She is absent. You can hear everything in the car: the engine, the operation of the gearbox, the sound from under the wheel arches, the sound of pebbles hitting the bottom and sills, and even the sound of the driver’s head buzzing.

Consumption is uneconomical - 12 liters per 100 km. This is unforgivably high for a modern small car.

The main disadvantage of budget cars on the used market is that they were used for taxis. This entails hundreds of thousands of kilometers even on young cars. Most often, taxis used white cars with basic equipment - with manual transmission and without additional options. Beware of such instances and be on the lookout for others.

Also read: Beauty or the Beast Skoda Yeti I

Characteristics of Skoda Rapid

Small dimensions allow the car to quickly and easily change lanes in traffic and easily park in the city. The length of the car is almost 4.5 m, the total width is 1.706 m, the width of a friend’s cabin, see below.

The ground clearance in the European version of the Rapid is quite modest - 143 mm, but in the Russian version the car is adapted to domestic roads, the ground clearance is increased to 170 mm.

The Czech liftback is characterized by low gasoline consumption, even when equipped with an automatic transmission and 110 liter internal combustion engine. With. In the city, gasoline consumption does not exceed 8 l/100 km (according to technical data).

On the highway, if you wish, you can meet the standard of 4.5 liters if you operate the car in economy mode.

The front suspension is MacPherson independent, the rear axle has a torsion beam.

Brake discs (ventilated) are installed at the front, drums at the rear.

With a wheelbase of 2.6 m, the car's turning circle is 10.2 m, the wheel track on the front and rear axles is 1.463 and 1.5 mm, respectively.

Engines: ★★★★☆

Until 2021, the base was a three-cylinder 1.2 HTP power unit with 75 hp. Considering that the Rapid is not too heavy, its potential is quite enough for calm drivers who are not demanding on dynamics and do not intend to load their car to capacity.

Much more interesting is the 1.2 TSI with power from 86 to 105 hp. (rare in Russia). The engine is flexible and provides good dynamics, while consuming not much more fuel than a three-cylinder naturally aspirated one.

The most powerful in the model’s arsenal is the petrol 1.4 TSI with an output of 122 hp, which is combined only with an automated DSG gearbox.

Well, the most reliable option was the popular 1.6-liter naturally aspirated MPI, developing 90, 105 or 110 hp.

Rapid, like Volkswagen models, experienced problems with engines, especially those installed before restyling in 2015. First of all, this applies to the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 series, i.e. those that have a timing chain drive. It happened that it stretched even during the first 20,000 km (30,000 rubles with work). After restyling, engines of the new EA211 series with a timing belt instead of a chain became available.

The Rapid received an improved version of the naturally aspirated 1.2 MPI. True, it sometimes causes problems with the ignition system. In addition, owners had to deal with premature stretching of the timing chain.

From 2021, the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI began to be offered in Europe. We haven't heard of any problems with it yet. True, its life expectancy is a big question, since the established oil change interval is 30,000 km.

In addition, Europeans have access to a diesel version with the 1.6 TDI in two power options – 90 and 105 hp. His weaknesses are well known, but they are not many. For example, the exhaust gas recirculation valve is rented out. The second typical problem is failure of the turbine geometry changing system. There are also problems with injectors, but they are usually eliminated by updating the software.

In Russia, atmospheric 1.6 is most widespread. Until 2015, a unit with the code designation CFNA was installed. It developed 105 hp. and had a timing chain drive. The engine was widely used in the Volkswagen Polo Sedan, where it became famous for the knocking of the pistons. The problem did not spare Rapid either. Fortunately, the disease usually does not progress and is not a reason for urgent major repairs.

Another drawback is cracking of the exhaust manifold after 80-100 thousand km. You will have to pay 6,000 rubles for a new collector.

After 2015, they began to install 1.6 with the CWVB index with a return of 90 hp. and CWVA - 110 hp. Both engines received a timing belt drive with a recommended replacement interval of 120,000 km. The cost of spare parts and labor will be about 15,000 rubles.

Many owners complain about the oil consumption of 1.6 liter engines - from 0.5 to 1 liter between changes.