Skoda Rapid Spaceback Review

Some of you may not have heard of the Skoda Rapid, even though the only other Skoda to outsell it worldwide is the larger Octavia.

Here in the UK it finds relatively few buyers. We’re not massive fans of the Rapid either, and to make matters worse there is a slightly cheaper and better equipped version called the Skoda Rapid Spaceback, which is a much better proposition.

The Spaceback plugs a small gap in the market for those who want a smaller, cheaper alternative to the Octavia, but need a bit more room than the smaller Skoda Fabia. This basically puts it into competition with cheaper versions of the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Nissan Pulsar.

The Rapid Spaceback was given a mid-life refresh in 2017, with restyled head and tail-lights along with mildly tweaked front and rear bumpers. Inside, a new infotainment system with optional online connectivity features, including live traffic reports, was the biggest change.

Finally a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine was introduced, replacing the previous 1.2.

So, what’s the Rapid Spaceback like to drive and how does it rate against its rivals? Read on over the next few pages to find out.

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