Skoda Rapid 1.2 tsi review

[Makk]

First drive review: Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSI S Review | Autocar

[Transporter]

It looks good. A friend of mine is waiting for it to come to AU. The production is at the same factory as Toledo now (in Czech).

[VAG newbie]

Problem is pricing! At starting price in UK of £12,995 already, and UK Skoda pricing is significantly lower than Aus, I don't see how they can price it at the $20,000 mark here. If they price it at $22-23K, that is already more expensive than Jap competitor such as Mazda 3 and Honda Civic, and too close to the Octavia 90TSI. A Golf GTI with the same 1.2L engine is only $21990 (drive away now!)

They will have to try to do it at $19990 drive away....

[pologti18t]

The Mazda 3/Civic etc aren't really the competitors are they?

This thing is based on a mildly stretched Polo platform. It's more a competitor to the mazda 2 sedan, fiesta sedan and Honda City sedan. None of which sell in any great numbers here.

[VAG newbie]

Rapid is suppose to be between Fabia and Octavia in size, so it's not a Fabia sedan, even though they might share the same platform. As the new Octavia getting bigger (so it will be genuinely Mazda 6/Accord Euro in size), Rapid has to be Mazda3/Civic size. In the review, it already said Rapid is as big as the first generation Octavia.
But if i'm wrong and Rapid is not Mazda3/Civic competitor, that makes it worse, as there is no way that Skoda will price it lower than these 2.

[pologti18t]

Rapid is suppose to be between Fabia and Octavia in size, so it's not a Fabia sedan, even though they might share the same platform. As the new Octavia getting bigger (so it will be genuinely Mazda 6/Accord Euro in size), Rapid has to be Mazda3/Civic size. In the review, it already said Rapid is as big as the first generation Octavia.
But if i'm wrong and Rapid is not Mazda3/Civic competitor, that makes it worse, as there is no way that Skoda will price it lower than these 2.

A current Mazda 3 sedan is 5.5 cm wider and 10cm longer.
Whereas a Honda City is 5 cm shorter and the same width.

I therefore can't see it as a Corolla/Mazda 3 competitor.

[phaeton]

The Rapid is chasing the A-Entry segment class so it is aimed at Civic, Corolla & Lancer etc.

[ausspace87]

What Car has a slightly more comprehensive review with better photos. Keeping in mind that these are "whingeing poms" writing reviews and that if it's not a Ford Focus, then it's already in the bad books. I think the Rapid will be very well received here, providing Skoda (VW Aus) aren't too greedy with their profit margins...

Full review of Skoda Rapid Hatchback - What Car?

[Jake02]

While the Rapid may have clever things (like the integrated ice scraper in the fuel cap, the flipping boot floor that has rubber on one side and normal material on the other and a huge 550-litre boot), a maximum of 90kW is not enough in this market, especially when the class average is around 110-115kW. They need the 118TSI to make it shine IMO and redo the interior!

I do realise it was built to be cheap transportation for Eastern Euro families on a budget but still...

[K1W1]

a maximum of 90kW is not enough in this market, especially when the class average is around 110-115kW. They need the 118TSI to make it shine IMO..

The Melbourne Sun today claimed it would have the 103 TDI as an option in Australia. Considering that powers way heavier vehicles if true power will not be a problem.