Skoda Rapid Spaceback 2014 Review

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 77TSI Ambition, 90TSI Ambition and 90TSI Elegance

Skoda says its new Rapid aims directly at the heartland of Australia’s booming small-car segment, 65 per cent of which are hatchbacks, and sits neatly between the $15,990-plus Fabia light-car and the new Octavia mid-sizer (from $21,690).

On the surface, the sub-$19,000 five-door Spaceback undercuts its chief rivals and continues Skoda’s tradition of offering Volkswagen Group technology for less money than the equivalent VW model – in this case the Golf, which is priced from $21,490.

Drill a little deeper, however, and there are obvious shortcuts. First, the Rapid rides on a development of VW’s older Polo platform, rather than the new modular MQB architecture that so far underpins the Golf and Audi A3, and rides on a torsion-beam rear axle rather than the independent rear-end seen under all Golfs in Australia.

That won’t concern the vast majority of small-car shoppers, who will find the Rapid a typically solid, well-built device that rides, handles and, thanks to a new column-mounted electric motor-driven steering system, steers with aplomb.

Indeed, push hard in corners and the electro-mechanical steering feels as responsive, communicative and vice-free as the Golf’s – and far better than under-done rivals like the Nissan Pulsar and Mitsubishi Lancer -- and the solid rear axle combines with a well-sorted spring/damper package to deliver impressive road-holding and body control.

But while tyre noise is no more pronounced on coarse-chip surfaces, ride quality is not of the same standard as the accomplished Golf and Mazda3, the Rapid feeling pitchier and more fidgety despite similar (low) levels of bodyroll.

Although wind and engine noise are kept well in check – the latter more so than the Mazda3 – the Rapid body doesn’t feel quite as vault-like as the Golf’s, as evidenced by the subtle squeaking of side glass against window frame rubber over low-speed gutter crossings.

There are enough hard plastic surfaces in the Rapid – including the dashboard and door trims – to make the Mazda3 feel positively luxurious too, although it compensates for that with a clean, concise interior layout that is simple, functional and highly ergonomic.

More than that, the Rapid Spaceback cabin is huge, offering yards of headroom and rear legroom, plus good all-round visibility and a decent 384-litre boot augmented by 60/40-split folding rear seats, even if there’s only a temporary spare under the load space.

There are also plenty of ‘Simply Clever’ storage solutions, including huge door pockets with bottle holders, a ticket holder in the driver’s A-pillar, multimedia (phone) holder, front and rear cup holders, rear seatbelt buckle slots and a parcel shelf that can be stowed behind the rear seats.

Under bonnet, the entry-level 77TSI – matched only to a six-speed manual gearbox – delivers more flexibility than the 77kW/175Nm outputs of its diminutive 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four suggest.

Sensible gear ratios make it more than adequate for satisfying city or freeway driving – certainly more so than Ford’s entry-level 1.6-litre Focus – and it’s far more refined than the base 1.8 in Holden’s Cruze.

But the 77TSI engine – which is also seen the Fabia, Yeti and outgoing VW Polo -- isn’t as smooth or lively as the 90kW/200Nm 1.4 turbo-four in the 90TSI (also found in the base Golf) and also slurps 95 RON premium unleaded.

Unlike the Golf, the Rapid’s 90TSI engine, which matches the torque output of the 2.0-litre Mazda3 engine, is available only in automatic form, which won’t please enthusiasts, but at least it’s Volkswagen’s latest seven-speed dual-clutch DSG auto.

In this guise the Rapid consumes just 6.0L/100km – only marginally more than the base 77TSI manual (just 5.4L/100km), which is commendable given both powertrains’ lack of advanced fuel-saving functions like idle-stop and brake energy regeneration, although we recorded about 7.0L/100km in both cars.

The Rapid’s value equation is even more impressive, however, with the 77TSI manual and 90TSI auto drivetrains available in entry-level Ambition spec for $18,990 and $21,890 respectively.

That means the base Rapid manual undercuts the cheapest Mazda3 and Golf by a respective $1500 and $2500, and the mid-range 90TSI auto is still $600 and $2100 cheaper than the most affordable automatic versions of the two best small cars.

For the money, both Ambition models come well equipped with 16-inch ‘Dione’ alloy wheels,  leather-clad three-spoke steering wheel with radio and phone controls, air-conditioning, trip computer, cruise control, height-adjustable driver’s seat, daytime running lights and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/SD player with AUX, USB and Bluetooth streaming.

For $23,750, the top-shelf 90TSI Elegance auto adds 17-inch ‘Camelot’ alloys, climate-control, front passenger seat height adjustment, automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, front foglights with cornering function, chrome-frame air-vents and brushed silver (instead of graphite) dashboard trim.

Safety gear is par for the course, with all Rapids coming with six airbags, electronic stability/traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic differential lock, five three-point seatbelts, front seatbelt pretensioners and height adjustment, adjustable front head restraints, tyre pressure monitoring and hill-hold control.

But in what could be a game-changer for some, there is no sign of a reversing camera, satellite-navigation, a colour touch-screen, push-button starting or the advanced driver safety aids offered in the Golf, including automatic low-speed emergency braking, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring.

While the Rapid Spaceback is certainly more stylish than the sedan, the design of both cars is more mass-market than sporty. But for a further $1800 ($2100 for Ambition buyers), an optional Style Pack adds a good dose of attitude via an extended back glass tailgate and panoramic glass roof, 17-inch black ‘Ray’ alloys, black rear spoiler, dark-tinted foglights and tail-lights, black side mirror caps and privacy glass.

There’s a Sports Pack ($1600 Ambition, $1000 Elegance) too, adding xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, red/black fabric-trimmed sports front seats with integrated head restraints, privacy glass, stainless steel pedal covers, black dash decor, foglights with cornering function and a double-sided cargo mat.

No, the Rapid is not as advanced as the Golf and wasn't designed to be. But for considerably less money it offers enough space, substance and technology to make it a compelling new value proposition in the cut-throat small-car segment.

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 77TSI Ambition manual price and specs:
Price: $18,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 77kW/175Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-drive
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 125g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 90TSI Ambition DGS price and specs:
Price: $21,890 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 90kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, front-drive
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 139g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 90TSI Elegance DSG price and specs:
Price: $23,750 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 90kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, front-drive
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 139g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP