स्कोडा रेपिड [2011-2014] यूज़र रिव्यूज़

Exterior Wonderful shape. Just like a sedan and a large boot space. Contains chrome grill, beautiful alloy wheels, and a large wheelbase. Lacks in shades. Black and cappuccino beige are the most common and the best colours available.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Quite decent interior. Just very manly. The car is wonderful when you are alone but is less spacious with a family. Contains speedometer, tachometer, cup holders ( front and rear ), steering adjustable tilt and telescopic. Quite good in safety purposes.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Shifting as written many times in very slow. The city has a better gearbox with smooth shifting. Fuel economy is good with diesel but not with petrol. It is 20.4 km/pl. has an incredible pickup in the beginning but as its getting older it becomes very less.

Ride Quality & Handling The car is fabulous but only if it is maintained and used properly. Ride quality in the first few years Is marvellous . Handling is easy and better . Shifting is very slow.

Final Words The car as said is same as vento  But far far better than city. Fluidic verna can be another good option. Mileage is incredible specially in diesel. Skoda service is even good. Powerful engine and even a decent interior. rear seats are not spacious for a family.

Areas of improvement No controls on steering wheel, rear seats are not comfortable, and various colours can become a good option.

Exterior

 The head lamp and fog lamp looks awesome. The masculine exterior body looks attractive, the front & rear view is adopted from typical Skoda lineage, I like the look, particularly the front grill. 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Interiors are quite spacious and seats are comfortable. Have enough leg space. However, in the rear seat only two persons can sit comfortably, the third guy sitting in the middle don't have sufficient leg space. The duel tone colour is quite eye soothing. Styling of dash board is attractive. Cabin lamps are illumunative. Storing space though enough, however, the space behind the back seat and rear glass could be designed more intelligently so that additional storing space could have been accomodated, otherwise the space goes waste. Hand rests, front and rear, are comfortable.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Engine performance is simply suparb ! Exciting to drive ! I purchased the car mainly influenced by the engine performance. A well engineered car. In city I get about 15km/ltr monthly averge and in highways between 18 to 20 km/ltr, at times it exceeds 21 km. The gear box is smooth however, I feel a minor jerk from behind after each gear shift, particularly when driving slowly. 

Ride Quality & Handling

 Riding is very comfortable for the driver and passengers as well. Even in long run, there is no discomfort because of diesel engine. The climatic control AC system works well. I am still not conversant with all features of MDU. The manual does not have much functional details of MDU.

Final Words

 A well engineered car, probably one of the best in its class.

Areas of improvement  

 The music system, must have at least a USB port and a remote control devise. The car has less features compared to competitors, such as control panel in steering and reverse park assist

Exterior  Good look,well matured look.good family sedan.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Hard seat. You tend to get tired ,plastic quality is not up to the mark.good legroom space for back passenger. Rest is okay.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Good refined engine,giving 15km..vibration while changing gear particularly in second and third gear ,clutch pedal is very heavy and hard...this is the main reason to get tired,engine is bit noisy too

Ride Quality & Handling Good ride with ease..handling is simply superb,suspension is also good.the car hold ground very firmly, abs makes it very stable even at sharp turning no body roll.

Final Words Good car. Topend diesel is slightly overpriced.

Areas of improvement After sale and service...dealers attitude.not a single accessories is available. Hoping against hope that skoda is here not just to sale the car only. The have to provide good after sale and service too.if they want to be on the market. Otherwise skoda is history. No price list on skoda auto official website. Company is very rigid not a single compliment.

Sorry: Carwale didnt allow me to write complete in one, so putting it here down:

Areas of improvement

ASS = After Sales Service. Compared to prior horor stories, Skoda, especially doing pretty well.  

Story: Why I said the improvement is seen : It was very heavvy rain in my native, I had to park outside our garage since most cars resting inside due to rain & muddy road, I am 100% sure that i locked all the windows including glasses, morning noticed that front left passenger seat is wett and half window glass came down. Tried to put it up, power windows were not working. Covered it with polythin and put hair dryer to window & seat get it warm, no effect. Post lunch, i had to visit some relative went, parked just press lock - worked !! I realized that it started malfunctoning. Had tea and came back, left window glass was down and no other glass operated and worked including front left. Took to local guy, he realized motor went off, since VW parts are not available in my western ghat small village, i told him to put glass up and make sure it wont go down until i reach BLR.

I came back to BLR, went to service station (Tafe Access Ltd service sentre on Housur Road) service manager said parts yet to come and it may take 15 - 25 days. I am fine since i park it and only remove out when i go long drive. After a month, i just called them to check the status, no one knows what was my car's issue. Then i took it seriously and called up toll free of SKODA, they had no request of parts made for my car / in my name. Fresh request took and they confirmed that the parts are available at the same service centre. Again called and sent the rapid next day morning. I was told i will have it back by 4.30. (as you know - just remove dor pad, remove motor - that too VW made it so simple that just unpin and put new, no wiring & socet and stuff - if you have motor, you can replace it by yourself), then i called again, warrenty should be approved by SKODA INDIA so it is taking time, if you dont want warranty, pay 15,000 INR + TAX and take car now. I wanted warranty since i use it with much care and it is just 1 month old. Next day again i called (I had no problem waiting 2 days, but worried since it is at out side parked-away from home & me) they said they are witing. Ultimately 3rd day, I got car with so many mess inside, like - as you can see some one just handled it very rough, with dirty hands, some pait on front glass, greese on new, beautiful seats, wet mark on back seat, dirty arm rest & all door handles with dirt. First time i felt i didnt needed window to work (since i never run / drive with dusty / sunny weather window open) i told them to fix the issue, they made it more ugly.

Cost : just to make my car more ugly & replace small motor = 980 INR they charged as labor. + 500 INR for my driver to go - drop & go - pick. to clean that mess = 1300 INR

Then I gave it to 3M JP Nagar, for internal wash, they did justice to their work.

 Appreciation for service: Mr. Naveen - Service Centre Head is one man army. (gulliver & lilliput) rest entire people in service centre behave as if they do a favour to SKODA, and some one forcebly put them to work. Mr. Naveen - talk & meet with each clients, guide all sort of team members and continuesly roam around & see what is happening. Sadly no one I saw that passonate about their job. Each one is so used to of micro - management that they need Mr. Naveen to say, or else they are busy hatching eggs.

I appreciate Mr. Naveen (even though his immediate service not offered to my car however seeing his hard work), And i wish SKODA should retain such people / train rest people to make sure they dont loose the good team members & eventually good customers.

Thanks for reading this long note: my 1st free check is due @ 7500 KM, since 1st service is @15,000 KM. I am thinking of sending my both assistance + driver to watch out at free service, since i dont like some one dont treat cars as machines than friends.

Take care, have safe driving. 

Troublesome RAPID- Third Rate Service back up

I bought a diesel Skoda Rapid- Elegance during December 2012 from TAFE, St. Marks Road, Bangalore.

During April 2013, my car developed Air-conditioning trouble, a strange and loud noise started emanating from the AC compressor and cooling almost became NIL.

We contacted TAFE service centre situated on Hosur Road Bangalore and they told us to come in after 2 days to get the car checked, they had the audacity to say that since all slots were full, they cannot take in my car for checking the complaint despite car being under warranty. after initial check i was told that the AC compressor seems to have developed trouble but they need permission from SKODA AUTO to remove the engine cover and reach for the troublesome part and that permission came in after about a week, now, it was confirmed that the compressor has indeed failed, and then starts the waiting, the workshop said  that the part has to come from Delhi and it may take 20 days to reach, i tried calling Skoda customer care and also wrote to them saying that i cannot wait for the AC to be repaired over next 30 days that too in peak summer conditions and asked them to fast track my repair work, all got from them is an eye-wash of an email stating that they will do there best and their BEST turned out to be about 25 days after thorough follow up by my son.

The part was replaced after leaving my car in TAFE garage for 2 days and the service centre guy, Mr.Louis promised that the problem is rectified for good.

Now, after less than 30 days the AC compressor was replaced with a new one, SAME TROUBLE has come back and the AC compressor is making loud noise when AC is turned on. I have to complain, and i did, same kind of response from SKODA auto customer care and i have to send my car to TAFE service tomorrow. Hope this time they will resolve the trouble for good.

My car details.

KA01XXXXXX

VIN - TMBBLXXXXXXXXXXXX

Skoda Rapid

Owner – AKSHAY.B

New Complaint Ref No.(from SKODA) - SPL- 31XXX

Exterior

I test drove Skoda Rapid, Elegance 1.6 TDI:Looks are good, feels like a luxurious car, though at some point looks resemble Vento

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Plushy interiors, space is adequette for taller person like me. I asked the front passenger to move his seat completely towards the back seat to check the space available for people more than 5ft 10Inches tall. Surprisingly there was enough space left between my knee and the front seat. Comfort level of sitting driving seat and sitting as a passenger are very good. Dual tone interiors gives you feeling that you are sitting in a luxurious car. Interior colors are also well chosen colors.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

1.6L Engine has enough power for those who would like to power drive the diesel cars. With 105BHP@4000 RPM gives you that fun to drive the diesel car & Torque of 250@1500 gives you that thrill to push the accelerator pedal little more. You press the accelerator pedal and this car obliges your order to the ease and zooms ahead within no time. I liked its pick up in 3rd gear a lot. Gear shift is also very smooth with the gear shift indicator in the Multi information display, you will come to know if you are in a wrong gear. When you press the throttle you get the feeling that you are sitting in a aero plane thats taking off & you get pushed back on your seats. On the lower RPM vehicle does not give you much of jerks. On the higher RPM and you will enjoy the ride as the steering control becomes little heavy and you get that sterdiness. Fuel economy not sure as it was just a test drive.

Ride Quality & Handling

Ride quality was amazing & handling is easy for this good car 

Final Words

I got heavily disappointed when i saw, even in top end we dont get Audio controls & Bluetooth connectivity controls on steering wheel & its very disapointing to see that top end variant doesnot offer you leather seats option.

One would expect to get these features for the price tag of 11.6L for this variant

Areas of improvement  

Features such as Steering wheel mounted audio controls, leather seats etc.

Exterior

 Its an awesome car, majestic and looks like Laura only, many of my friends having b/c segment car mistook it for Laura and checked if it was about 17 la. Majestic looks, some of my team members not knowing whose car it was took pics standing next to it in a resort. Definitely a head turner.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Nice and comfortable, cd track changing is easy, climate control is easy if you understand it else you will keep fiddling as to how to cut off the ac, high seating position even 5 ft tall people can easily drive the car as the seat can be adjusted and at its highest position even a six footer like me has no problem with my head room, i need not adjust the seating. Auto fold of outside rear view mirror is missing and it is pain folding the mirror after parking, high boot in the back offers very LITTLE visibility while reversing, if you dont have a rear view mirror it is better to check the rear side like you do it in a lorry/bus/van before reversing. Leather seats would have added elegance to the majestic car. Interiors are nice and done well, plastic quality is good, doors are like armours and close with a thud, solid doors requires some energy to open and close. Bottle and cup holder in the front is not there and hence a problem, low reflecting ovrm and rear view mirror is new exp because you really dont know some two wheeler moped tailing you.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Excellent, in second gear though the car pulls on its own, the beast doesn't stop unless you downshift or reduce the acclerator to zero, its scary in bumpy roads because the second gear has so much power. Gear box is smooth, no hassles at all, it slots nicely, the rear and the first in the same position, since the rear needs pushing the gear lever down and engaging there is no issue. I have touched 120 at best and not have experimented with high speeds yet and at 120 its steady and composed, nothing it sails smoothly and there is no strain at all, in 3rd if you put the accelerator down there is huge surge of power and your companion will definitely grab the hand rails for support. Its really too fast and can leave the fast motorbikes at the signal way behind if there is an empty stretch ahead. 2nd and third are as good as a peppy petrol car. Overall mileage is about 18 km, fill it forget it, on a nh stretch you can see distance to empty as 830 km etc for about an hour or so.

Ride Quality & Handling

Excellent ride quality, very composed, the bumps dont get into the cabin, back seat is a great place apart from the drivers seat. in highway at high speeds if you go over a pothole you dont feel it inside most times but once it came inside heavily with a big noise in kerala road. turns are great, high speed turns are no problem and brakes are great.

Final Words

 Excellent car, hope service exp also matches to the cars performance

Areas of improvement  

 Rear view camera, steering mounted controls, rear airbags,usb port, lcd screen,cup holder/bottle holder in front, sun glass holder in front, dust and dry leaves get into the rear glass from c pillar to boot, keyless entry, start stop button (ladies prefer this very much), leather seats

Exterior Exterior of the car is definitely makes it stand among the best looking cars in it's segment. front chrome grill is rather handsome, and so is the design of it's headlight....it gels well with the front of the car. the headlight intensity, though, is below average.....it's just not bright enough. The v-line on the bonnet, the crease line on the doors, the slight ridge at the end(rear) of the boot, the C - formation in which the tail lights glow, and the alloy wheels; all look quite handsome.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The interiors look pretty premium, seats are supportive and spacious, and the design and style of the dash and instrument panel doesn't have anything to complain about either. Problems areas are.

1. the rear parcel tray would have looked better if it were not plasic, and if it were a little flatter(making it more useful).

2.there could have been keyless entry and go.

3.the indicator and wiper stalks should have been on the right side.

4. it should have had electrically retractable side mirrors.

5.music system should have been better.

6. the A/C should have had an OFF switch instead of the rotary button.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox It is the best bit of the car. the diesel engine and the gearbox are well matched. gear shift has short and precise throws, and power delivery is addictive and satisfying. the only thorns here are the slight whine from the gearbox at low speeds, and the clatter of the diesel engine at idle. fuel economy is satisfactory enough at 14.2 kmpl overall.

Ride Quality & Handling The only car that handles and rides better in this segment (at this price) is the ford fiesta. the steering lacks a bit in feel, and is a bit light for highway speeds.

THE ONE THING THAT IS SHOCKING IS THE NOISE FROM THE SUSPENSION AT BOTH FRONT AND REAR(MORE SO AT THE REAR). THERE IS A LOUD, INTRUSIVE, AND EMBARRISING(IF YOU HAVE PASSANGERS) THUD EVERYTIME THE SUSPENSION(SHOCK ABSORBERS) REBOUNDS(SHOCK ABSORBERS OPENS AFTER GETTING COMPROSSED). IT FEELS AS IF SOME SUSPENSION COMPONENT HAS BROKEN.

Final Words SKODA MUST, MUST, MUST AND MUST DO DOMETHING TO CORRECT THE SUSPENSION NOISE(THUD). I WONDER WHY SKODA IS JUST SITTING ON THIS PROBLEM. HEADLIGHTS MUST BE BRIGHTER. THROW IN A FEW MORE FEATURES( TAKE SOME INSPIRATION FROM THE TATA MANZA). THE RAPID IS A RATHER APPEALING PRODUCT. WITH THE UPPER MENTIONED CHANGES, AND A BIT BETTER AFTER SALES IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SELL OVER 3000 CARS A MONTH INSTEAD OF THE 1100 SOMETHING THAT IT IS SELLING.

Areas of improvement READ MY FINAL WORDS.

Exterior

 Very good Solid, no-nonsense exterior just like its other siblings.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Materials used inside, be it the chrome/plastics, they are of top-quality. The music system and the stock speakers rate more than expected. Except for a very minor screech-sound on the door pillars over a rough stretch of road, everything else is absolutely fine. Even this noise was corrected during the first service.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Diesel Engine is a gem. The car moves from 40kmph onwards with the 5th gear and just a small dab on the accelerator peddle is enough to get the car sprinting towards 100kmph mark without a gear down-shift. You do not feel a glimpse of the turbo-lag unlike the FordFIESTA/HyundaiVERNA. Moves from 0 - 140 Kmph like a breeze. After 120 Kmph, the engine sound becomes little audible, but definitely not an ugly noise. After all German/Europeans like their cars to make that noise!!! Be it 120kmph or 140 kmph or 160 kmph, the car just remains in control and the feedback from the steering is definitely the BEST!!! Low-speed driving in the city roads is very comfortable as well. All thanks to a very good low-end torque on the engine. A well erected road-hump can negotiated effortlessly on the 3rd gear itself!!!

Fuel Economy:

In the city with normal traffic conditions (continous movement) , I have got a mileage of around 14.5 - 16.5 Kmpl.

In very bad bumper-bumper traffic conditions, wherein you keep driving in the 1st or 2nd gear (with constant gear shifts) with a speed of 10-20 Kmph, I 've seen the mileage dropping to as low as 10/11/12 kmpl.

On the highways, if you are an economy driver who'd like to cruise at a constant speed varying between 80-100 kmph on the 5th gear, I bet you'll get a mileage exceeding 21 Kmpl. I've experimented myself and seen the mileage go beyond 23 kmpl.

Again, on the highways, if you prefer to cruise at speeds exceeding 120/130 kmph, you can expect a mileage between 16-18 depending on the frequqncy of gear-shifts.

Ride Quality & Handling

 SKODA has always been known for its superior ride-quality & handling and this behavior was exactly the reason that made me lean towards this car. Prior to buying the RAPID, had test-driven the Fluidic Verna, Duster and the likes. I know its very hard for all the Hyundai Verna owners to come to the terms with the fact, but can't help it. Yes, Skoda RAPID is a clear winner in this aspect. The RAPID never goes out of control/behaves indecently at high speeds. As far as my experience with many other cars in the Indian Market is concerned, the RAPID has got an amazing steering. It just feels awesome!!!

Final Words

 I admit that this car does not have all the unwanted gizmos such as the in-built GPS, steering mounted audio controls, reverse-parking cam etc

But for someone, who cares to own a GOOD CAR considering the core-qualities of a car such as the ride-quality, handling, engine performance, top-quality interiors, solid-looking exteriors, JUST GO AHEAD with it!!! It is definitely a Value-for-Money car.

I have currently reached the 15,000 kms mark on my RAPID and got the servicing done, unlike the many other posts that i've seen/read about the SKODA's after-sales support, I got a very good service. The supervisor took enough care to fix all the minor complaints that I had reported and the SKODA was pro-active enough to give me a call to take a feedback of my service experience. Of course, I gave them a 5.

The delivery was made within a day's time. The only drwaback with the after-sales support is the low number of SKODA service centres available in any city.


With this review, I would like to state that I'm not a SKODA guy or a SKODA fan writing this review to support the brand. I just want anyone looking to buy a new car to have a good review from an owner himself. The normal crowd mentality is to go with a car (if you could not guess, I'm talking about the so-called FLUIDIC) that just boasts of a sporty look, but does not have enough under the hood to behave like one!!! So people, time to invest your money on a good buy!!!

Areas of improvement  

 1. Need to come up with few more authorized service centres.

2. To cheer and draw the crowd, the SKODA can think of including a few gizmos in the RAPID :D

3. I definitely would like to see the European RAPID released in the Indian market.