What’s new: The Rapid is Skoda’s new lower medium model that sits between the Fabia and Octavia (see above). Straddling sectors, its closest competitors are probably the Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30.
Excellent: As is the case with most Skoda models, there’s a huge amount of space, both for rear seat passengers and particularly in the 550-litre boot that compares with 378 litres for the i30.
Good: The Rapid is well priced, which helps to keep a space below the new Octavia, and the sub-120g/km emissions for this 85hp petrol model help keep running costs competitive. Despite the low power, the 1.2 TSi engine is adequate for the Rapid’s needs.
Average: The oddball positioning between the supermini Fabia and lower medium Octavia leaves the Rapid a little lacking in identity.
Poor: Surprisingly low residual values of sub-26% for this particular model harm an otherwise strong running cost equation.
