Skoda Rapid [2011-2014] User Reviews

After having test driven the Hundai verna,Ford Ecosport,VW Vento,Renault Scala,Renault Duster i felt this is the best chioce and give me all i need at a very competitive price.

Exterior

 I have selected the white color which definately looks classy and fresh even after a few years compared to the metallic colors which dulls over a period if not maintained well. Looks are definately solid with the typical masculine skoda grille. Alloy wheels whith crome logos are stunning.Tail light pattern looks neat in the nights.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Interiors are sober in a beige/cuppichino combination dual tone.All internal lines are clean and not tacky linke the Ford ecosport or the Hundai verna variants. The drivers armrest is a boon as this really reduces the stress on the shoulders if you have to drive daily 46kms.The bucket seats a re very comfortable.Rear seats are a lil upright but given the boot space of 490 litres it is acceptable.Rear armrest is also a nice detail Skoda has considered for the additional comfort.Enough leg room even after the driver seat is pulled back to the max.Doors have a steel sil to avoid any scratches.Plastic quality is definately great for this price of a Sedan.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Excellent on engine performance as the turbo charged engine sets in immediately as you step on the peddle imparting a superb engine power of 105PS at 4400 RPM. I have just got a fuel economy of 15.80km  under city conditions and the AC on at all times. Gear shifts is crisp and gear knowb is easy to hold, dont know why people have an issue with the riverse gear being below the first gear its just a matter of being habituated.Steering has a telescopic and a height adjustable provision which helps for taller people.

Ride Quality & Handling

 Ride quality is super smooth for a diesel engine, road handling is excellent and the car feels super safe and sturdy even on rough roads.Road handling is far better than what i had for the test drive, suspensions swallows up the potholes and small rumbles on road with ease with negligible vibrations.

Final Words

 All in all its a solid, safe, reliable no-nonsense and a fuel efficient sedan with an understated touch of luxury on the inside.

Areas of improvement  

 Steering could have volume controls, USB port missing in the 2Din system, navigations system should have been part of the central music panel with touch screen.

 

Good fuel economy,excellent road handling, comfortable drivers handrestngNo USB port with built-in music system, Navigation system is seperate unit .

Exterior

Is just excellent, Gives a rich look from front and side. Back look need improvements.  

Body sheet need little reinforcement. Top sheets to be thickend or reinforced give a sound like Dubba. 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Is OK, Driver seat need to be litte lifted up, Back seat is little less in width to creat leg room, Front leg room is good.

Ergonics need to be improved for driver seat. Left knee touches the corner of dash borad angled area. Key also touches right knee sometime. 

There are sounds coming out badly fitted interiors while vehicle is taking turn or on bumpy road.

Sound is from dashborad, coverings of front door and transparent cover of instrument panel.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Fukle econoy is 15.5KMPL in city and 16.5 - 17 KMPL on highway at rated load and ac.

While driving smoothly on high speed at highway when you change gears there is a small jerk always. the poick upo is not smoot between gear shifts.

Specilay in my car there is thus (mechanical )sound cming up when ever you disegngae the gear.

Ride Quality & Handling

 Pickup is good at gear 3, 4 but jerky start at gear 1.  

Some ergonomics is wrong for long drive. They should learn from Hyundai.

Final Words

I chose to puchse the car only for its GREAT, Styled Look, Power and the Brand

Areas of improvement  

1. Body sheets need reinforcement and need to be toughend (better heat treatment).  Better packing between sheet and interior required.

2. Driver Seat suitable for long drive and visibility of the road in front.

3. Workman ship of interior fittings to reduce cracking sound.

4. Some work Suspensions to minimise sound when passing over bumper. 

5. Ground Cleance, atleast ud guard fittings.

6. GPS/ Navigation Screen Touch quality.

7. Back side look

 

Look, Style, Stability, Pickup at gear 3, Control, Ground clearanceJerky pickup at Gear 1, Left side Pull, Cracking Sound from interiors, Sound on Gear Shift,