New Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI Ambition - 6000 KM Ownership Review

Exterior To be honest, I liked its simple elegance look than fluedics too curvy. It looks business class car, or may be simple taste minded. Mine is with Capuccino Beagie, I believe after BLACK, this color suits the RAPID.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Most needed feature inside was (more power for rear A/C vent), rest like audio controls at steering and other cosmetics i never liked in my other cars since while driving many times those looks distractive.

I liked the space at back seat, believe it is one of the good car in the segment considering the back seat comfort. At high speed - when you'r sitting back you wont feel the speed, rather you feel as if you are sitting in a volvo (i felt it many times the way its suspentions works & gets you the feeling), My younger bro. complained initial about bucket seats at back (he used to in the FLAT seat) however sitting back for BLR - PNQ journey, he didnt claim the back pain / seat problem. (I consider his opinion since he only loved the back seat comfort of Nissan's Bluebird Sylphy as the best under 1 cr)

Very minute but most important 2 features I liked in it is : Back Seat Reader's light is not just above the river head (as seen in many cars), instead it is placed above the rear passengers seat with 2 bulb fair enough to read and wont disturn driver. Even if car is centrally locked, insider can get out of the car any time. (remember the mumbai flood trapped people inside car).

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox While running at 2000 KM on ODO, millege was on highway = 21.8 km/l (diesel).

Story : Filled HP normal diesel at Pune (Baner-Chandani Chowk) and drive to bangalore (1 hr hault at Belgaum & 1 hr hault at Davangere) when reached BLR - JP Nagar, odo was showing 865 KM and 1/4 th tank dielse was still remaining. My driver & I maintained speed at 130 most of the time, however reached 170 3-4 times for 30 sec duration.

I am amazed to see the heat of the engine after driving almost 350 KM @ strech, engine was not boiling when opened the hood.

Engine Sound @ speed : Once you cross 50+ you do whatever - you only hear wind wistel, no engine noice. I park entire week and remove on weekend, first 3-7 KM you will see little rattle sound (if your windows are open) post heat up, it goes off and becomes more smooth.

Cruising : is very good. I must say 130+ is what i drove many times when the road permitted, you still have the stability & continuation of the speed at many times. It runs like crazy, I had no break issues, (it depends on how you drive) as long as you manage your drive on proper use inbetween accelator pedal & breakes.

Ride Quality & Handling Ride qualty I stated above. I have never seen (even at 170 km/h speed) that car looses its gravity / shakes, it just tells you to push hard. Most importantly: I was driving at 150 + It was very long streck (one strech you have inbetween Kolhapur & {Nippani}Belgaum for alomost 15-20+km) I just thought of ending the accelator pedal, with no response time - it just jumped ahead pushing me back and it was crosing 170 with in 3 sec, I had to remove accelator to hold the breath. Meanwhile it was cruising at the speed without immedietly slowing you down (another best quality in highways that you dont have to keep pressing pedals, just let it relax).

No Bodyroll, No Vibration at high speed, no engine revv sound at high speed, not at all time lag in boosting power.

Slow Driving @ City : Just put it for 1st gear - it goes at 12-15 KM/Hr speed all the way untill you put breake or change gear. 2nd Gear - goes at 15-18 km/hr no matter up / down. Low RPM works fantastic at city slow moving trafic, you feel is it auto??

Story : from Tar road to my home is 5 km, ghat + muddy + slippery - hence we only use GYPSY at rainy seasons, this time too i had my uncle waitin to help RAPID get through when we went from BLR on rainy day.  We were 3 inside rapid and i put it in 1st gear, it was just working like an auto and going easy, I had no issue keep changing gears & applying clutch and breaks, my odl 1995 Gypsy was jealous for not taking help. 

Final WordsGood Car, Practical, Easy to drive, True Performer, It Just loves you the way you take care. 

Stability @ High Speed, Suspension & Built Quality & Fuel Economy@10.50 Lakhs- it looks basic, After Sales, Services, Parts, not much issue with car.