Skoda Rapid [2011-2014] User Reviews

Exterior

Eye Soother, Looks Like Shrunk Superb, Good Built Quality

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

I Own Top End Model, But When I Compare It With Premium Hatchbacks, I Feel, My Car Should Have More Features. After All, It Is SKODA. But Then, No Complain. You Feel Good Inside.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

I Recently Got A Fuel Economy Of 26.6 KM/L On Noida Expressway. I Have Been Getting Good Fuel Economy Of About 22 KM/L On NH1. And Around 19 KM/L On Other Highways (More Crowded Ones Like NH8, NH58, etc). Within City, I Get Around 16 KM/L. (All Numbers With AC ON).

Ride Quality & Handling

No Complains. Smooth. 

Final Words

Skoda Is Providing Good Deal 5x5. I Envy This Now. Product Is Real Good. No Doubt. But, Just Be Careful With Service. It Sucks Big Time. Arrogant Service Team (Specially Nawab Motors), No Customer Service, Lame Excuses. Zero Customer Satisfaction. Prefer To Send Your Driver For Service Intervals (If You Have One). If You Can Live With SLOW, Lame & Service With Incomplete Details, Go Ahead And Buy One Today. Else Buy VW Vento (Same Product, Almost With Better After Sales Service).

Areas of improvement  

 After Sales Service Is The Only Major Issue In India. Poor Service, Specially If You Live In Delhi / Noida.

 

Style, Comfort and MileageAfter Sales Service

Exterior

 Looks great

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Excellent.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Good

Ride Quality & Handling

 Too good except for suspension

Final Words

Not worth at all buying the Skoda Rapid, the rear suspension noise so bad as you feel the vehicle does not have any suspension. Not sure whether its a Skoda design.

Not enough expert Skoda Technicians to address these issues not sure how about in other places but I had bought the car in Hyderabad just few days back.  I am chasing the Skoda Servicing Team in Hyderabad everyday, I have many proofs to prove this. Just test drive on any Sharp Speed breaker and you will hear the noise and the team is mentioning its not an abnormal at all, I never heard that kind of sound in any other car. Skoda after sales service is really wose. 

If you want to live with the wiered sound of rear suspension and ready to deal with low expertise team who would not reach you on time but instead customer has to chase them to know the status of car, if you can manage both you can go ahead and buy.

Areas of improvement  

 Skoda seriously have to look into Suspension issues and need more expertise team to fix the issues.

 

Skoda looks great on the smooth road, Good styleIssues withe Rear Suspension

Exterior

 Very good Solid, no-nonsense exterior just like its other siblings.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

Materials used inside, be it the chrome/plastics, they are of top-quality. The music system and the stock speakers rate more than expected. Except for a very minor screech-sound on the door pillars over a rough stretch of road, everything else is absolutely fine. Even this noise was corrected during the first service.

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Diesel Engine is a gem. The car moves from 40kmph onwards with the 5th gear and just a small dab on the accelerator peddle is enough to get the car sprinting towards 100kmph mark without a gear down-shift. You do not feel a glimpse of the turbo-lag unlike the FordFIESTA/HyundaiVERNA. Moves from 0 - 140 Kmph like a breeze. After 120 Kmph, the engine sound becomes little audible, but definitely not an ugly noise. After all German/Europeans like their cars to make that noise!!! Be it 120kmph or 140 kmph or 160 kmph, the car just remains in control and the feedback from the steering is definitely the BEST!!! Low-speed driving in the city roads is very comfortable as well. All thanks to a very good low-end torque on the engine. A well erected road-hump can negotiated effortlessly on the 3rd gear itself!!!

Fuel Economy:

In the city with normal traffic conditions (continous movement) , I have got a mileage of around 14.5 - 16.5 Kmpl.

In very bad bumper-bumper traffic conditions, wherein you keep driving in the 1st or 2nd gear (with constant gear shifts) with a speed of 10-20 Kmph, I 've seen  the mileage dropping to as low as 10/11/12 kmpl.

On the highways, if you are an economy driver who'd like to cruise at a constant speed varying between 80-100 kmph on the 5th gear, I bet you'll get a mileage exceeding 21 Kmpl. I've experimented myself and seen the mileage go beyond 23 kmpl.

Again, on the highways, if you prefer to cruise at speeds exceeding 120/130 kmph, you can expect a mileage between 16-18 depending on the frequqncy of gear-shifts.

 

Ride Quality & Handling

SKODA has always been known for its superior ride-quality & handling and this behavior was exactly the reason that made me lean towards this car. Prior to buying the RAPID, had test-driven the Fluidic Verna, Duster and the likes. I know its very hard for all the Hyundai Verna owners to come to the terms with the fact, but can't help it. Yes, Skoda RAPID is a clear winner in this aspect. The RAPID never goes out of control/behaves indecently at high speeds. As far as my experience with many other cars in the Indian Market is concerned, the RAPID has got an amazing steering. It just feels awesome!!!

 

Final Words

I admit that this car does not have all the unwanted gizmos such as the in-built  GPS, steering mounted audio controls, reverse-parking cam etc

But for someone, who cares to own a GOOD CAR considering the core-qualities of a car such as the ride-quality, handling, engine performance, top-quality interiors, solid-looking exteriors, JUST GO AHEAD with it!!! It is definitely a Value-for-Money car. 

I have currently reached the 15,000 kms mark on my RAPID and got the servicing done, unlike the many other posts that i've seen/read about the SKODA's after-sales support, I got a very good service. The supervisor took enough care to fix all the minor complaints that I had reported and the SKODA was pro-active enough to give me a call to take a feedback of my service experience. Of course, I gave them a 5.

The delivery was made within a day's time. The only drwaback with the after-sales support is the low number of SKODA service centres available in any city.

 

With this review, I would like to state that I'm not a SKODA guy or a SKODA fan writing this review to support the brand. I just want anyone looking to buy a new car to have a good review from an owner himself. The normal crowd mentality is to go with a car (if you could not guess, I'm talking about the so-called FLUIDIC) that just boasts of a sporty look, but does not have enough under the hood to behave like one!!! So people, time to invest your money on a good buy!!!

 

Areas of improvement  

1. Need to come up with few more authorized service centres.

2. To cheer and draw the crowd, the SKODA can think of including a few gizmos in the RAPID :D

3. I definitely would like to see the European RAPID released in the Indian market.

 

 

Best ride quality, no-nonsense SOLID exterior looks, soothing interiors with top-quality materialsThe only problem i have faced till date is that the mud-flaps take a beating on a road-hump

I own skoda rapid elegance since 6 months, I love this car by features, look n milaeage in compare to any car in this segment but, I hate skoda's sales after service. I met accident 40 days ago and they took my car in service center.

They said me your car will be okay in 20 days and its already 40 days past. n still I didnt get my car and they say company has not available new door and they also dont know when door will be available in stock. Now I decided I will never buy any skoda's car in future.

Before I bought this car so many users told me that skoda's sales after service is so pathetic but I didnt listen to them n now I am suffering.

Guys after sales service is very very iportant to any car owner, so please dont avoid this when you buy any new car. I wishh I didnt buy this car now.

I am very very disappointment with this type of service. Please pray fro me that i will get my car as soon as possible. In future I will never buy any of the skoda car. Sales department are so pathetic in rajkot torquauto skoda. Guys please dont buy any skoda car in the future.

Style, mileage, lookAfter sales service

Exterior

 very beautiful car with inbuilt projectors,good lloking front grill,a heavy car

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

very spacious car-- large knee and head room at rear seat,very good audio system with aux, usb, card and bluetooth, one touch all window glass up and down , many good features like steering mounted controls,height adjustable seat, front and rear arm rest,tilt as well as telescopic steering wheel,display screen shows temperature,fuel economy,how much more u can drive with remaining fuel,beautiful and simple interior shows class not like verna typical chinese material

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

good response from engine,gear ratio is very good i like it ,no turbo lag,overall average 18 to 19 depends on situation as in city around 16 on highway surely get 21.

 

Ride Quality & Handling

brilliant ride quality and handlig,even at 160 km/h speed u dont have to worry nice and steady ride,very very good braking-no body roll at back seat (in hilly areas)

 

Final Words

 this is a best sedan,if u want built quality,ride quality,comfort and safety then go for it, and if u want just looks then go for verna

Areas of improvement  

spare wheel should be of same size as others

 

 

looks,built quality ,handling,suspension,power,steering controls,audio systemno leather seats

I purchased my Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6TDI CR MT from M/s Mahavir Auto, Bhubaneswar. After lot of research I purchased this car. Before buying Rapid I already had test drive of Ford Fiesta, Honda city, Nissan sunny, Vento, Renault Scala, Hyundai Verna.On the 1st test drive I was very much impressed. At very high speed its road grip is excellent. Engine Power is wonderful. There is slight engine noise but can be compormised with other parameters. Car exterior is really impressive from the side it look like a vento but its RAPID. Its suspension is also very good on rough roads. Road clearance is OK. I am yet to experince the after sales service. In Odisha M/s Mahavir Auto being the only dealer they need to give attentions on road site assistance and emerginecy assistance across the state.

I have opted for two years extended warranty.SKODA's insurance partner M/s Bajaj Alliance need to be more customer friendly.After several requests my address of comminication has not been corrected so far.

Exterior Excellent.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Very Good.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Execellent Engine, Gear box is very smooth.

Ride Quality & Handling Execllent.

Final Words Value for money.

Areas of improvement After sales service.

Engine Power.Fuel Economy,Aerodynamic stylingEngine noise

Exterior The car exteriror is veary neat and classy

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The interiors are elegant. It a very spacious car and can accomodate 5 average built indians, Provides enough leg room to the passegenr seat and the height adjustment and steering adjustment makes this car very comfortable.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox The engine is very responsive and it is quiet!! the fuel economy is 17 km/ltr in city conditions and in highway the economy goes up to 20++. The gear box is extermly smooth.

Ride Quality & Handling Due to hard suspension there are no jerks while crossing pot holes hence the drive is smooth. The best part as per me is the sterring control it is pure magical.

Final Words If you are looking for the core benifits of the car which is Drive, Comfort, and Performance this is the best car in this category.

Areas of improvement  would have been great if there would be steering mounted controls and and side indicators on the Out side view mirrors. rest is just perfect. I have no regrets on my decision of buying this car. Most us does not know tht the first free service is at 15000 km isnt it cool. this is SKODA!! take a test drive to believe it.

Performance, comfort, Handling, MileageNone

Clean and attractive exterior, small and compact grills makes an executive looks, Stupid idea for opeing bonnet as its lever in between the driver side door, you cannot open bonnet with out opning that door, very stupid design of driver side viper, you cannot raise it as it is touching the bonnet cover while washing the car. Very poor head lights and fog lamps, cannot go long drives in that lights.

Fair interiors and plastics, a very big dash board and lots of space infront of gear lever to keep small things, but ditto same vento. The seats are dust magnet and very poor back support, especially front co passenger seat is extremely uncomfrotable and looking for to change the seat. The steering tilt lever is placed with out the use of common sense, if you are 6foot or above it will be always touching your knees (It may cause for a serious injury to knees if met with an accident). Tilt and telescopic steering and seat height adujustments makes driving very comfortable.Electrically and remote adjustment of rear view mirror is good but electric folding is missing compare to verna fluidic.

A powerfull and reliable engine, but little more noisy than the other compitents in this segment, a tubo lag untill the engine reach 1200 RPM. Good mileage, poor braking for a car with 105 bhp power as it doest have a rear disc break gear shifting is smoot.

Very responsive steering, good control in a speed less than 80 kms, breaks are not sufficeint for  such a powerful vehicle. 

The vehicle is seems like engineered in a hurry burry to meet the market competency, cannot compare with the other Skoda vehicles, very poor sales and service, especially by St. Antonys motors Cochin, Their irresponsiblity and cheating starts soon after your booking amount has received, they will ask for an another minimum 25K in the name of price hike even after u have done all payments. The areas of improvements required are; Breaking, head lights, seats, steering tilt lever, sales and service support.

Exterior,interior, control. power, mileage and spaceSales & service,breaking,no seating comfort, poor head lamps

Exterior Ok up to some extent.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox: Engine performance is good but fuel economy is average. Quality of gear used in gear box is also not up to the mark as it starts noise after few thousand kms.

Final Words Overall performance is not good and after sale service is non responsive. I got my RAPID serviced first time at Jai Auto, Mathura Road, New Delhi but they have not checked even coolant which was totally exhausted.I don't know, how should I take up this issue to get replaced the front shockers of my new car which I purchased during July, 2012 and I faced shockers problem only after driving approx. 20,000 kms. My strongly suggesion is to improve after sale service of SKODA being a reputed brand and name.

Areas of improvement Quality of front shockers should be improved a lot. After sale service also needs drastic improvement.

Brand nameFront shockers are of burst quality.