Skoda Rapid Spaceback
With a modified suspension, the ride became noticeably higher. With a modified suspension, the ride became noticeably higher.
Ah yes Czechs, ah yes well done! In the art of casting a shadow on the wattle fence of their equal there are few. Last year, on the Rapid liftback test in Skoda, they said that they would expand the gamut with a modification under the conditional name “Spaceback”. Like any normal person, I thought that we are talking about a universal - a "spacious" name led to such an idea. Wrong! It turned out that the manufacturer decided to designate a hatchback with this word. That is, according to Skoda, a large and spacious liftback is just a Rapid, and its docked version is a Rapid-roomy interior. Gee!
However, the debutant is indeed spacious. The stock of space in the rear seats, the boot volume (415 liters) is clearly better than most competitors. And folding the back sofa, the luggage compartment capacity is easy to bring to 1380 liters - not every golf station wagon offers such a "cave".
Skoda Rapid Spaceback trunk
The photo does not convey a decent amount of luggage - it is much more spacious than in the picture. The photo does not convey a decent amount of luggage - it is much more spacious than in the picture.
The compartment, by the way, is not only roomy, but also perfectly functional. Here you have nets for fixing, and hooks, and convenient niches along the edges, and a two-level floor. And, of course, the company’s know-how is a flexible plate that can be used to fence off part of the trunk, creating “autonomy” there. In general, in practicality with this "Skoda" few hatchback classmates will argue. In the open space on the back sofa - too: two adults sit down without a hint of cramped space. True, the third is inconvenient - a fairly protruding floor tunnel interferes.
Skoda Rapid Spaceback trunk
The floor can be installed on two levels. On the bottom is convenient to store dirty and wet things. The floor can be installed on two levels. On the bottom is convenient to store dirty and wet things.
CUTE EMPTY
And what's in front? Despite the fact that the model is positioned as affordable, the level of interior decoration is very good. Decent materials, quality assembly, and decent ergonomics. By tradition, a strong trump card "Skoda" - attention to detail. There is an ice scraper hidden under the tank lid, a smartphone holder (a special slot in the carrying glass), a niche for an emergency vest under the chair, a card holder on the windshield. All this is familiar from the liftback. But the hatch appeared portable ballot boxes that are inserted into the door pockets. Shook out, and order! It seems like trifles, but how they make life easier!
Skoda Rapid Spaceback Salon
New version - new steering wheel. Cute, and most importantly - very comfortable to grip. New version - new steering wheel. Cute, and most importantly - very comfortable to grip.
However, there were some minuses. Against the general background, the sleds of the seats that are not covered by a decorative casing are striking. It seemed that their backs are short and the exterior mirrors are small.
I hope the manufacturer listens, as has already happened. When I tested the liftback last summer, Skoda specialists contacted me: what didn’t I like? Pointed to a stiffer suspension - for Russia is not the best option. A little over a year has passed - and what do you think? Hatchback rides differently! Thanks to the changed chassis settings, the Rapid has become noticeably softer, impacts on bumps hardly annoy. Moreover, the energy intensity was not affected, as well as controllability - the car is still stable on a straight line and tenaciously holds the road in high-speed turns. The stability margin is decent, and when it is selected, the Skoda slides off the trajectory smoothly and predictably.
Skoda Rapid Spaceback fixtures
The highlight of the tachometer is digitization in the style of a chronometer. The highlight of the tachometer is digitization in the style of a chronometer.
OUT OF COMPETITION
Like last year, I begin the journey on a 1.2-liter 86-horsepower modification. Then it seemed to me lethargic, but now claims to temperament have diminished. Apparently, the smaller mass of the hatchback is affecting, in addition, there are not two passengers on board, but one.
Skoda Rapid Spaceback Navigator
Not all Rapida competitors offer factory navigation. Not all Rapida competitors offer factory navigation.
All these kilograms are optional; you should choose the flagship version with a 1.4-liter 122-horsepower engine. Goes very smartly! Especially if you translate the DSG robotic gearbox (with this engine it comes in the "standard") into sport mode. But in Russia, another engine will become the main one - a 1.6-liter aspirated, the production of which will be launched in Kaluga next year. Its exact characteristics have not yet been disclosed, it was only possible to find out that the power will be 110 hp.
I'm still trying to remember - who else in this class offers such a perfect technique? Perhaps no one. A dual-clutch gearbox and turbo engines are a Rapida privilege. The same goes for options. In the price lists of popular competitors you will not find either a panoramic roof, or rotary foglights, or xenon. So the main thing is not to miscalculate the price of the Rapid. If it is kept at the cost level of the Volkswagen Polo soplatform sedan, there can be no doubt about the bright future of the Czech model.
Skoda Rapid Spaceback
Only the Spaceback will have a panoramic roof, which is positioned as a more stylish car than the liftback addressed to practical customers. Only the Spaceback will have a panoramic roof, which is positioned as a more stylish car than the liftback addressed to practical customers.
Interestingly, the liftback and hatchback choice of bodies for the "Rapid" is not limited. But the banal sedan will not be exactly like a station wagon (at first). Information leaked to the Network that next year the Czechs plan to launch a three-door with a sloping roof - a coupe! Intrigued by Skoda, nothing to say …