Skoda Rapid [2011-2014] User Reviews

Exterior : It is a bit redundant to qualify exteriors, because everyone has their own sensibilities. For me personally, I do not like the typical 'fluidic' design with unecessary lines and creases running along the side and prominent slants. In relation to the rapid, the front still catches my appeal with the ridged bonnet and accented front grill which makes it look a bit butch. The rear is a little plain and the tail lights are a bit early 2000's and not in a very good way. All in all, i love how this car looks in terms of design simplicity and great front and its a winner for me across all segments.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort): Quality of plastics is great and even after 3 years of rigorous driving, you wont hear any irritating creeks and sounds which your typical maruti's hondas and hyundai's suffer after prolonged driving. The cabin is just right... plenty of room and the driver side has the necessary snugness that will give you immense confidence in the drive. On the downside, it doesnt offer ground breaking features and the console can look a bit dated. I upgraded my infotainment system to touch screen and got great speakers to go with it, so im not really complaining.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox: You can make any comparisons you like, but honestly, across the segment, this is probably the best engine on offer. 0-100 is probably fractionally less zippy than the verna for eg... but the real test is the mid range - your regular 40-70 kmph or 60-90 kmph where the rapid takes a major edge. Overtaking is therefore effortless and you get a feeling that you are driving a car which is a lot more powerful than the specs actually qualify. Gears are seamless and they fit the slots quite comfortably. It makes for great city driving as well and the turbo in the diesel mill kicks in at about 2200 rpm. I know that we, as a people are obsessed with fuel economy. This offer 13-14 kmpl in the city and about 16 kmpl on the highway. This is laregly due to my slightly aggressive driving style. However, it will fall short of what the vernas and city's offer - but i am not too fussed - the net effect is Rs.1200 a month and I will gladly pay it for a better drive.

 

Ride Quality & Handling: I havent driven the verna and the city excessively to make a fair comparison on handling - this typically requires longer exposures to a drive. However, in my assessment, for a car in this price range - it offers unparalleled ride quality and handling. You feel immensely safe in tough corners. the suspension is super - especially for the highway and you dont get any unecessary wobble. Hill driving is an absolute pleasure and you dont feel like you are dragging an unecessarily large rear (for eg in the Sunny). I have driven it up to 185 kmph (with 5 ppl) in straights and up to 130 kmph in a momentary flash of exhileration in the hills. on the downside - if your car is filled to capacity i.e. 5 ppl ad weekend luggage - the ground clearance suffers a bit and you would expect to hit your under-carriage a few times.

 

Final Words: This is a great car to buy. I have driven close to 43,000 kms. I know people complain about service costs - but it is steadily evening out across the segment. Whether its an annual service (like skoda) or a bi-annual service like some other cars - you will spend anything beteen 7-13k a year. You muct be aware as a customer - for eg: when i sent my car - I specifically told them that the cost must not exceed the online service cost esttimate which they offer. I got on top of them and my bill went down from 14k to 11k for the second service. I have the pleasure of a interacting with a great service team in gurgaon and I have never had any major problem.

 

Areas of improvement : Better tyres, better features

 

 

Styling, engine capabilities, build quality, handling, stabilityfeatures, stock tyres

I am owner of SKODA Laura. Because of the horrible services from GURUDEV Motors, Chennai, I want to sell the car. This is my 5th Service with GURUDEV and every time FIGHTING with them is SURE. This time my car didnt start when am in my office at Guindy and i called them . They calmly replied PLEASE bring the car to their service center. How ridiculous is this ?? When the car had problem with starting, how could i drive the car ??.

No commonsense at all. I fought with them and with great difficulty they  picked my car. The problem is due to Battery and its under Warranty. They took 5 days to tell this feed back . I requested them to drop the car in my office as i dont want to see any of the faces there.

They accepted and confirmed time 13th Dec 2014 10 AM. I waited  till 12.30 PM and called them. They simply told its not possible and asked me to take the car after 2.30 PM. 

I heard about some bad services of companies  and they will rectify after getting some useful feedback from customers like me. But with GURUDEV, they are ridiculous, adamant and keep on their WORST SERVICE.

GOD only save SKODA company by having dealers like GURUDEV.

Good carWORST Service - GURUDEV MOTORS

Hi,

I bought a new Skoda Rapid on 23rd Feb. Thee day after I could notice that the coolant temperature was showing 115 degrees and the ac was cut off. I took the car to the Tafe access service center in Bangalore. The mechanic told me that they have 40 cars to service and asked me to come tomorrow. I told him I had called up and there is a serious issue with the car. He had no idea what I talking about. I raised my voice and told him that I want to speak to the service manager. He was polite and told me that they will look into the car and asked me to wait for 15 minutes. I waited for 30 minutes and went to the service area. I was told that even after the engine has been stopped for an hour, the coolant temperature was still showing 90 degrees. They asked me to leave the car and it will take time. In the evening no one called up and I had to call to check the status. I was told that the coolant temperature is still showing 70 degrees and thermostat sendor has to be replaced. He told that they have to order from Aurungabad and it might take a few days.

I spoke to GM of Tafe acces and was told that four such cars had the same issue which were delivered in January. Now my question to Skoda India is why this was not rectified when they knew the issue. They are compromising 1k cost of thermostat for a 13.5 lakh car. I am still waiting for my car and not sure when the part will come and how much time it will take for them to fix and deliver the car.

When it comes to Skoda, you can rest assured that their sales service is pathetic and you will run around and lose your peace of mind. Never opt for this car if you are planning to buy one. 

 

 

Good drive, looksFuel economy is bad

Exterior Sporty.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Fairly good when compared to the other cars in its segment

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox My car's engine over heated one fine day, thanks to Skoda's all new technology used in the car where there is no Temperature gauge for the customer not to know what exactly is the temperature of the engine.

Due to over heating, I had to stop my car and allow it to cool down for about 30 min, and when I checked the coolant reservoir, surprisingly I found it empty "How on earth did the coolant disappear ?" it was just 6K kms since I had done my last service of 30K Kms.

I take my car to Gurudev Motors, Chennai (One of the worst dealership and one of the worst customer service, thanks to Skoda gurudev is the only dealership and service network in chennai).

I gave my complaint about the coolant disappearing from the reservoir, they checked everything and said, it is the water pump problem and apparently has worn out. Nothing to worry, since my car is under warranty they would replace it. I agreed to it and left my car. Later after about 2 weeks the service engineer says there is less compression in you engine.

He claimed, he will look into the matter and get back to me. Took another week's time for the service engineer to get back. After a week, the service engineer claims "there is  a problem in the engine and skoda would replace the engine as it is under warranty."

Considering all the check points, I gave a nod to go ahead and change the engine as my car is just 1 year and 5 months old. 10 days later I give a call again to the executive, he claims "engine has been ordered from Aurangabad and they will replace it as soon as it comes".

Now after about a month since i have dropped my car off, the serivice manager says  " The Area Service manager wants to talk to you". When I spoke to the ASM, he has no clue about the problem is and dodged me saying he would call after 2 days.

The ASM's exact words "Sir, we had found water in the reservoir inseatd of the coolant" It took 30 days for skoda to discover there was water inside the reservoir ? and is the water not supposed to evaporate in the heat conditions ?"

He later claims, since they have found water in the reservoir, the replacement of the engine does not come under warranty and I (customer) will have to bear the price for the same.

Note: My car is just 17 Months old.

Ride Quality & Handling Good.

Final Words The brand Skoda is Killed due to the poor service of the dealership. Not only in chennai but all over India.

Areas of improvement Dealership and Service.

Ride Quality, LooksService and Maintainace

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.

well built car in the segment.hard clutch pedal,vibration while changing gear...nil accessories ...dont know about parts

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

Driving comfort, good styling, spacious and excellent fuel economyMusic system is unfit for a 2012 model.

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. 

Build & handlingRear AC Vents

Exterior Good, back lights can be improved.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) More leg space in the back, camera not there.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Good but spare parts very costly.

Ride Quality & Handling Good.

Final Words I have booked car Skoda rapid ambition on 19th Sep12 and assured to get delivered by 10th Oct12 but surprisingly Senator-authorized dealer told on 8th Oct12 (after 20days) that your car is not alloted and their sales manager assisting to go for Higher model which don't have any specific relevant features and cost difference is 70000. It seems that they are squeezing their customers pocket and trying to sale their new models even after ordering.Commitment and delivery situation is pathetic. They dont stick to their words what they have committed at the time of booking.

Areas of improvement Customer relationship and after sales service is very bad. After booking customer have to follow every now and than.

Overall featuresHandling customers

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.

Decent interior , beautiful mileageNot a family car, lacks in space