Czech automaker Skoda made an extremely good move by establishing itself as a premium automaker when they arrived in the country. As a result, when smaller cars like the Skoda Rapid began to be released later on, people began migrating from the standard car firms en masse and, simply put, none of them were disappointed. The performance, dynamics and build quality were a vast improvement over what was available on the car market up to that point. And since Skoda had already established itself as a premium brand, many people also bought Rapid as it gave them cheaper access to a better badge.
The new Rapid is powered by either a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. The petrol engine offers 105 hp and has enough torque to allow a second gear start without stalling the car. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is a gem of an engine: it makes exactly the same amount of power as its petrol counterpart, and even more torque. You feel absolutely no lack of power, whether you’re on city roads or highways. The engine gets a bit noisy at high revs, but other than that it’s a smooth, refined and extremely strong engine.
Inside, the design is typical of Skoda. Every surface and piece of switchgear is made from excellent quality materials and is purely functional within this car. Every Skoda Rapid review will point out the fantastic quality that Skoda puts into their cars and it is absolutely true. The Rapid comes with a 2 DIN audio system which is very good for a standard player and the top-end variant is also climate controlled. The binnacle also houses the multifunction display that presents a wealth of information to the driver, but this feature is also only available on the top-of-the-range Elegance trim. Another luxury feature you get is rear seat air conditioning vents on all Rapid variants.
This sedan has many features that add to the driving experience. There are armrests for all passengers, cup holders to make sure you don’t have to leave home in a hurry without your morning coffee, reading lamps for all occupants, ABS; and, in the top-of-the-range variant, airbags for the two front passengers. The Rapid, with its many plus points and much going for it, can resolutely challenge cars in a higher price bracket; And since the price range of the Skoda Rapid hovers around Rs 10 lakhs, the company allows people to have a really brilliant car without demolishing their bank accounts. Barring a couple of trivial weaknesses, the Rapid is truly a joy to own.
