There is a certain joy to be had with affordable cars like the 2017 Skoda Rapid that you just can’t get with the more premium stuff. Granted, this car looks bland and is about as interesting to drive as a mule. But the good thing is you can treat it like a mule, because it’s cheap and you just don’t care.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the new 2017 Skoda Rapid and its Spaceback sister have nothing going for them. They are in fact pretty decent offering in the economy segment and come with refined engines and excellent features. It’s just that the way they look is not easy to live with, even by the standards of this class.
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But if you decided you are okay with the design, 2017 Skoda Rapid comes with a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI engine with either 95 or 110 PS, mated to either a a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed DSG transmission. This offers a good blend of economy and sprightly(ish) performance. You also get Skoda Connect with optional WiFi, available energy-efficient bi-xenon lights as an option and the daytime running lights with LED, High Beam Assist, and plenty of space inside.
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In addition to the two 1.0 TSI engines, three more engines are available for the Skoda Rapid. All engines feature brake energy recovery and a Stop-Start function and fulfill the EU6 emissions standard. The diesel engines operate with common-rail direct injection and a diesel particulate filter. There is a choice of:
- 1.4 TSI, 92 kW (125 PS), top speed of 208 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds, combined consumption of 4.8 l per 100 km, 113 g CO2/km. Transmission: 7-speed DSG
- 1.4 TDI, 66 kW (90 PS), top speed of 185 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 11.7 seconds, combined consumption of 3.9 l per 100 km, 103 g CO2/km. Transmission: choice of 5-speed manual or 7 speed DSG.
- 1.6 TDI, 85 kW (116 PS), top speed of 201 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 10.0 seconds, combined consumption of 4.1 l per 100 km, 107 g CO2/km. Transmission: 5-speed manual.
