Skoda Rapid Sport review
The Skoda Rapid Sport is packed with standard kit, but it still remains uninspiring to drive and look at
At £15,630, the Skoda Rapid Sport costs exactly the same as a regular SE, and when you factor in its natty seats, generous kit list and smarter trim, it does indeed make the car a more appealing proposition – on face value. However, tread carefully if comfort is a priority, because it’s this Skoda’s downfall
Even though the Rapid is the budget-focused workhorse of the Skoda range, the brand has tried to inject a bit of desirability, with the addition of a Sport model.
It’s based on the 1.2-litre TSI SE, but Skoda claims it offers an extra £1,250 worth of equipment – for exactly the same price – plus a handful of subtle styling updates.
Buyers get 17-inch alloy wheels with a ‘diamond-cut’ gloss finish to go with the matching gloss-black bootlid spoiler and mirrors. The plain cabin is lifted by bolstered sports seats trimmed with red stitching, and steel pedals.
Larger alloys make the strongest visual impact for the Rapid Sport, but they’re to blame for its biggest downfall – the questionable ride. The Rapid Sport doesn’t have any lower suspension than a regular Rapid, butlow-profile tyres cause it to fidget over broken roads and crash into potholes.
While not exactly sporty, the 104bhp 1.2-litre petrol turbo is by far the best engine available in the Rapid. It’s also miles more refined than the intrusively noisy 1.6 TDI diesel. It will average 52.3mpg according to Skoda’s figures, with our test car getting nearer to 44mpg.
Despite its name, the Skoda Rapid Sport drives pretty much the same as any other trim level in the Rapid line up. Behind the wheel it feels grown up, but there's not much excitement to be had. It's more inert than fun.
Standard equipment includes climate control, tinted glass, foglights and Bluetooth connectivity, plus curtain airbags, but sat-nav is an option that costs around £550. Even then, the unit features a cramped screen and clunky interface. We’d recommend spending less on an aftermarket plug-and-play unit instead.
The Skoda Rapid Sport’s boot is absolutely enormous, with a capacity of 550 litres. The back seats are pretty spacious, too
