INTRODUCTION
Skoda Rapid has been on sale since November 2011 in the Indian market and has tasted moderate success, despite the presence of several heavyweights like Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento in the same segment. With time progressing, the sales of the sedan started deteriorating as its rivals were far more advanced, up-market and affluent. It is what propelled Skoda India to introduce Skoda Rapid Facelift, which comes with several cosmetic upgrades and a subtle bump in power output. Identical to the preceding model, the Skoda Rapid 2017 is manufactured at the company’s production facility in Pune. It is present in both the petrol and diesel guises in three trim levels: Active, Ambition and Style. The Skoda Rapid Facelift exterior styling is in line with Skoda’s new design language, while the cabin boasts of a few contemporary features that weren’t seen on the predecessor.
EXTERIOR
The Skoda Rapid 2017 exterior flaunts modern crystalline styling, adorning the Czech Republic-based automaker’s signature design language. The designing cues have been borrowed from the Euro-spec Rapid and Fabia hatch. The new quartz-cut halogen projector lens headlights with chrome eye lashes, LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and manual levelling function are the biggest highlight of the striking front fascia. They are flanked by a refreshed bumper, signature chrome grille and angular lines on the bonnet.
The side profile remains the same, while the rear end gets new C-shaped smoked tail-lamp cluster. The overall appearance is further accentuated by the inclusion of chrome molding on the deck lid and chrome-finished door handles. The Skoda Rapid 2017 colour schemes include Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Cappuccino Beige, Carbon Steel, Silk Blue and Flash Red.
INTERIOR
The Skoda Rapid 2017 interior features a cabin finished in dual-tone Ebony-Sand theme with premium perforated leatherette seats. The sedan boasts of a plethora of premium features, such as AmberGlow Footwell Illumination, Leatherette lined door armrests, height and length adjustable multifunctional steering wheel, electrically-foldable and adjustable mirrors with side turn indicators, cooled glove box, Climatronic Technology with adjustable dual rear AC vents, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, and 6.5-inch colour MirrorLink touchscreen central infotainment system with USB/Aux-in/Bluetooth/SD Card compatibility.
The Skoda Rapid 2017 features a boot space of 460 litre, which can swallow a large chunk of luggage. In addition, the company has incorporated bottle holders in the doors, storage compartment under the front Centre armrest, and cup holders at the front as well as rear for coping up with the small belongings.
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE
The Skoda Rapid Facelift comes in both petrol and diesel fuel trims. The diesel variants are powered by a new 1.5 L 4-cylinder TDI engine, which develops 110 PS of top power and 250 Nm of peak torque. Earlier, the aforementioned engine used to deliver 103 bhp. It is available with 5-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic gearboxes. The petrol variants get their power from the same 1.6 L MPI engine, which generates 105 PS and 153 Nm, and are offered with 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions.
The Skoda Rapid 2017 mileage figures are pretty decent in both petrol and diesel fuel trims. The petrol manual and automatic variants deliver a mileage of 15.41 kmpl and 14.84 kmpl (both ARAI specified), respectively. The diesel variants with manual gearbox and automatic transmission return 21.13 kmpl and 21.72 kmpl (both ARAI specified), respectively.
The Skoda Rapid 2017 is a decent performer on the highways as well as narrow city roads. It sails effortlessly at high speed. The diesel automatic, particularly, is a delight to drive. It sprints to the 100 kmph mark from standstill in just 12 seconds, which is a rather good feat, considering the segment. The handling is fairly good due to the light steering wheel, which responds instantly to the driver’s fingertips.
BRAKING AND SAFETY
The new Skoda Rapid gets disc brakes with inner cooling, with single/piston floating caliper at the front, while drum brakes are at the helm of affairs at the rear. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and dual airbags are offered as standard safety features across the entire variant lineup. In addition, several sophsticated safety features, such as Electronic Stability Control, Hill Hold Control, Parktonic Rear Parking Sensors, automatically-dimming rear view mirror, etc., are on offer with the top-end grades.
CONCLUSION
Skoda has been making decent cars right from the beginning, and Rapid has been one of the company’s best-seller in India due to its exquisite appearance, premium cabin and power-packed performance. The Skoda Rapid 2017 price is also aggressive, with a lot more features added. However, the company needs to work heavily on the after-sale department as it is where Skoda is crippled. The non-availability and expensiveness of spare parts is a major issue that Skoda needs to address as early as possible, if it intends to consolidate its position in the Indian market and retail higher volumes.
Avg Ex Showroom Price | ₹ 7.99 Lakh |
Mileage: | 18.97 kmpl |
Engine | 999 cc |
Seating Capacity | 05 |
Top Speed | 239 kmph |
0-100 Speed Time | 7.7 s |
Engine | 999 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC |
Engine Type | 1.0 TSI |
Fuel Type | Petrol |
Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 109 bhp @ 5000 rpm |
Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 175 Nm @ 1750 rpm |
Mileage (ARAI) | 18.97 kmpl |
Driving Range | 1043.35 Km |
Drivetrain | FWD |
Transmission | Manual - 6 Gears |
Turbocharger / Supercharger | Turbocharged, Variable Geometry |
Emission Standard | BS 6 |
Length | 4413 mm |
Width | 1699 mm |
Height | 1466 mm |
Wheelbase | 2552 mm |
Ground Clearance | 116 mm |
Kerb Weight | 1138 kg |
Doors | 4 Doors |
Seating Capacity | 5 Person |
No of Seating Rows | 2 Rows |
Bootspace | 460 litres |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 55 litres |
Steering Type | Power assisted (Electric) |
Front Suspension | McPherson suspension with lower triangular links and torsion stabilise |
Rear Suspension | Compound link crank-axle |
Front Brake Type | Disc |
Rear Brake Type | Drum |
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.3 metres |
Wheels | Alloy Wheels |
Spare Wheel | Steel |
Front Tyres | 195 / 55 R16 |
Rear Tyres | 195 / 55 R16 |
Airbags | 6 Airbags (Driver, Passenger, 2 Curtain, Driver Side, Front Passenger Side) |
Seat Belt Warning | Yes |
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) | Yes |
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | Yes |
Brake Assist (BA) | Yes |
Engine immobilizer | Yes |
Central Locking | Remote with Boot Opener |
Speed Sensing Door Lock | Yes |
Child Safety Lock | Yes |
Air Conditioner | Yes (Automatic Climate Control) |
Front AC | Single Zones, Common Fan Speed Control |
Rear AC | Blower, Vents Behind Front Armrest |
Heater | Yes |
Vanity Mirrors on Sun Visors | Co-Driver Only |
Anti-glare Mirrors | Electronic – Internal Only |
Parking Assist | Reverse Camera |
Parking Sensors | Rear |
Cruise Control | Yes |
Headlight & Ignition On Reminder | Yes |
Steering Adjustment | Tilt & Telescopic |
12V Power Outlets | 2 |
Driver Seat Adjustment | 8 way manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down, seat height up / down) |
Front Passenger Seat Adjustment | 6 way manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down) |
Rear Row Seat Adjustment | 2 way manually adjustable (headrest up / down) |
Seat Upholstery | Leatherette |
Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel | Yes |
Leather-wrapped Gear Knob | Yes |
Driver Armrest | Yes |
Rear Passenger Seats Type | Bench |
Interiors | Single Tone |
Interior Colours | Black |
Rear Armrest | Yes |
Front Seatback Pockets | Yes |
Head-rests | Front & Rear |
Cup Holders | Front & Rear |
Driver Armrest Storage | Yes |
Cooled Glove Box | Yes |
Power Windows | Front & Rear |
One Touch -Down | All |
One Touch – Up | All |
Adjustable ORVM | Electrically Adjustable & Retractable |
Turn Indicators on ORVM | Yes |
Rear Wiper | No |
Rear Defogger | Yes |
Rain-sensing Wipers | Yes |
Interior Door Handles | Body Coloured |
Interior Door Handles | Chrome |
Door Pockets | Front & Rear |
Boot-lid Opener | Electric Tailgate Release |
Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs) | Body Coloured |
Body-Coloured Bumpers | Yes |
Roof Mounted Antenna | Yes |
Daytime Running Lights | LED |
Fog Lights | Halogen on front, Halogen on rear |
Headlights | Projector with Xenon |
Automatic Head Lamps | Yes |
Follow me home headlamps | No |
Tail Lights | Halogen |
Cabin Lamps | Centre |
Headlight Height Adjuster | Yes |
Glove Box Lamp | Yes |
Lights on Vanity Mirrors | No |
Rear Reading Lamp | No |
Cornering Headlights | Passive |
Instrument Cluster | Analogue – Digital |
Trip Meter | Electronic 2 Trips |
Average Fuel Consumption | Yes |
Average Speed | Yes |
Distance to Empty | Yes |
Clock | Digital |
Low Fuel Level Warning | Yes |
Door Ajar Warning | Yes |
Adjustable Cluster Brightness | Yes |
Shift Indicator | Dynamic |
Gear Indicator | Yes |
Instantaneous Consumption | Yes |
Tachometer | Analogue |
Smart Connectivity | Android Auto, Apple Car Play |
Integrated (in-dash) Music System | Yes |
Display | Touch-screen Display |
GPS Navigation System | Yes |
Speakers | 6 |
USB Compatibility | Yes |
Aux Compatibility | Yes |
Bluetooth Compatibility | Phone & Audio Streaming |
MP3 Playback | Yes |
AM/FM Radio | Yes |
iPod Compatibility | Yes |
Steering mounted controls | Yes |
Warranty (Years) | 4 |
Warranty (Kilometres) | Unlimited |
Stand Out Features
Need Improvement
When buying a new car in general one must look for things like body panels that are out of line, or load bearing beams that seem to have been damaged. The next thing to check whether the paint is original or it has been repainted, a quick check under concealed plastic panels is a great way to check for unmatched paint. Another thing to check for is underbody rust in humid or sea adjacent areas.
A good way to check if the car has been rear-ended is by checking the boot. Flip open the spare wheel cover and remove the wheel completely. If the car was repaired after an accident the floor will have visible signs as the surface wouldn’t be smooth as it would in an undamaged car.
In the end, always remember to check for complete documentation including service records. Also, do check with the insurance company for any past claims, which will make you aware of the accidents the car has been involved in. Last but not the least, get the car checked from a trusted workshop before closing the deal.
Variants | Ex-Showroom price |
---|---|
Rapid TSI Rider
999 cc, Petrol, Manual, 18.97 kmpl
|
₹ 7.49 Lakh
|
Rapid TSI Rider Plus
999 cc, Petrol, Manual, 18.97 kmpl
|
₹ 7.99 Lakh
|
Rapid TSI Ambition
999 cc, Petrol, Manual, 18.97 kmpl
|
₹ 9.99 Lakh
|
Rapid TSI Onyx
999 cc, Petrol, Manual, 18.97 kmpl
|
₹ 10.19 Lakh
|
Rapid TSI Style
999 cc, Petrol, Manual, 18.97 kmpl
|
₹ 11.49 Lakh
|
Rapid TSI Monte Carlo
999 cc, Petrol, Manual, 18.97 kmpl
|
₹ 11.79 Lakh
|
better but the price is not upto mark
for Skoda Rapid TSI
best sesan but ground clearance is low , best for highway drives, service is cost is bit high , spares cost is also high , comfort is good , milage is 16 in the city and 22 on high ways with limited speed
Lack of latest features at this price
for Skoda Rapid TSI
Car is nice but has to upgrade with new features like push-button start, led tails and led lighting etc.. six speakers, vehicle status via the app , while in another hand for the same price we are getting in other brands,
Great price, greater product
for Skoda Rapid TSI
I compared all SIX cars in this range. All have similar size & engine power. THIS has by far the higher torque. It is by far the cheapest & sporty looking. EXTREME value for money.
Rapid TSI ,an enthusiastic car
for Skoda Rapid TSI
1. My uncle buy this car but his experience is good 2.Driving is best in statement 3.looks is good & performance is mind blowing & it made for enthusiast 4. Servicing is pretty high but it’s OK
Body | Sedan |
Fuel type | Petrol |
Engine | 999 cc |
Transmission | Automatic, Manual |
Drive | Front wheel Drive |
Exterior Color | Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Carbon Steel, Flash Red, Lapiz Blue, Toffee Brown |
Interior Color | Beige, Black, Multi-pattern |
Kilometers Driven | 16.24 kmpl |