Skoda Rapid Spaceback review - Auto Express

Skoda Rapid Spaceback review: bit.ly/15EHMYs
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The Skoda Rapid Spaceback might be a bit of a confusing prospect -- after all, it has the word space in the name, but actually has less room than the standard car. You can watch our Skoda Rapid Spaceback video review to find out more -- and just why this car even exists.
The current Rapid has the body of a saloon, but is actually a hatchback, and offers a lot of space for not very much money. The new Skoda Rapid Spaceback is not an estate, but is in fact shorter than the Rapid, with a smaller boot. It does get more passenger room though, and a more traditional hatchback shape -- hence the name.
Sit in the back of the Rapid Spaceback and the name starts to make sense. There's so much legroom it feels like a bigger car such as the Ford Mondeo. The extra glass means its lighter inside too, which makes it feel much less cramped for passengers.
When it comes to desigen, however, the two Skoda Rapid siblings are virtually identical. From the front you'll be hard pressed to tell them apart - they've both got the Skoda family face, and the grille and headlights are the same.
At the back it's much easier to tell them apart - the Spaceback is 180mm shorter than the standard car and the rear glass area near the C-pillar has been expanded to increase headroom. You can also get a style pack that adds a roof spoiler, darker rear lights and gloss black mirrors to give it a bit more desirability.
New for the Spaceback is a lower powered 89bhp diesel, which gets 67mpg, emits 114g/km. This engine is also used for the Greenline version, which will have low ride height, even more efficiency tweaks, and that gets the Spaceback under 100g/km.
The 1.2-litre TSI is the best one to go for, with a six-speed manual gearbox and it feels more like a driver's car. The Spaceback also gets a new electric power steering system and a retuned set of dampers.

[@paneraiferrari829]

I just bought the full spec Rapid Monte Carlo today ... I can't see what more you would want from a car to get around town, get to work, get to the shops etc ... My theory is, have a simple car for everyday practacility and save your coin for an exciting weekend car :)

[@sukhoiromantic1718]

That was a really well done video review in my opinion.

[@jagoda-risteska-james]

Can anyone tell me the high, dimension from the bottom of the boot to the roof, to see if wheelchair that cant be folded can fit in? Thanks!

[@manadog]

love the looks , has the same likes as a a3 sportback . love it !

[@Pedroleum100]

How do you distinguish the one hatchback from the other? Shouldn't the non-Spaceback Rapid be categorized as notchhatchback?

[@Autoexpress]

Apologies about that - the old video lost sound, so we had to re-upload.

[@hariprasadgovindharajan20]

Hi, Can you tell me which TSI engine is better for motorway drive? 86 or 110? I am asking for the 2014 or 2015 year..

[@vishalquake3]

Gotta love skodas for what they offer ^_^ I wonder if this new car will replace the fabia ?

[@LifeInAMinorKey]

Yeah that's a cool car. Now can Skoda make one with a bit of a bigger engine? Like a 1.8 TSI and 6-speed manual?

[@SwPiotrek]

Why they re-upload this video?

[@ghp0518]

Well the 1.2 TSI engine might look like the best choice but considering the problems this engine had on previous generation because of design faults with loose timing chain and and turbine faults , making it probably the least reliable engine VAG ever made (which they say are now fixed even though only in higher end models like Golf and Octavia the timing chain is replaced with a timing belt), this engine is a bit risky to go for, but time will tell if this new generation of 1.2 TSI is "bug free".

[@user-pn7pr2np7p]

Hi I am coming from 2024. And I can tell that VW 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI are definitely bad engines as you predicted before 9 years... i would not buy any VW turbo-benzin engine in this day and age

[@brain96969]

Looks good

[@sagargoswami2851]

I interested in new rapid. .can u give a finally wich month in India market

[@carlosvincy2010]

yo p0buuş skodA

[@AllmobileYT]

This Skoda Rapid is very beautiful and dexterous car. :-)) BUT NICER FOR ME IS Skoda Rapid spaceback SCOUT :-)

[@vishalquake3]

& great review btw : )

[@StuntMenLive]

The Octavia is like the A4, the rapid saloon is like the A3 saloon, and the Rapid Spaceback is like the A3 Sportback. If you say Skoda is complicated, what about Audi?

[@fundiver198]

No idea what you are rambling about. The VW Groups 1,6 liter diesel is one of the best small diesel engines made by any car manufacturer. Of course its not as refined as bigger displacement diesel engines or VW`s TSI petrol engines. But thats obvious and certainly don`t make it a "shitty engine".

[@styleyK]

I have to disagree. 1.2 tsi engine may rev higher and feel more responsive which is fine if your are the only one in the car, once loaded up its going to struggle and be very poor economy wise for distance driving. So it's the 1.6tdi for me.

[@TheEryk03]

Very good car for little money.

[@alexandermayer7383]

business all landscape action.

[@GlossaME]

Imagine the hatchback Rapid after 3 years, with some scratches and quite a few owners.... Check Fiat Stilo prices, will see what i am taling about

[@antonywistanley]

can't compare skoda to fiat. that's like waitrose vs asda!

[@larrykelly1376]

The Octavia is a much larger car in a diff class

[@Arlind22]

If you think that the 1.6l diesel is the shittest than you have never driven their 1.2 tdi. Try that and then you will think the 1.6 is actually much better.

[@marypetrie930]

"The pedals are all in the right place" uh??

[@kari9856]

Notorious 1.2 tsi will make you cry. Avoid.

[@alexandermayer7383]

INTERESTING VJDEO WHAT'S US, CUB HUMOROUS WHAT DO YOU THINK, GUYS? !!

[@spamtelevision]

In Germany is more popular the octavia than the Rapid

[@SwPiotrek]

Why 1.2TDI is "shittiest"?

[@Bark820]

That 1.6l diesel engine is the shittiest engine in the entire VW engine group. Around the world people complain about its noises.. rumours are coming that 1.5 is being made in India which is going to comply to international standards when it comes to NVH and efficiency

[@alexandermayer7383]

Mind dismiss precious essay gradually screen staff able year daily

[@Maurazio]

1.2 tdi is the shittiest, then come the old 1.2 aspirated and the new 1.0 3 cylinder aspirated, THEN comes 1.6 tdi...