"Skoda Rapid" 2015: owner reviews, specifications and fuel consumption

Czech designers are quite responsive to the use of technical solutions that show success in the market. In many ways, this also applies to the Rapid model, which has experienced enough updates, restylings and facelifts. By 2015, the car came up in an optimized for practical use, which can not but please the Russian connoisseur of compact European hatchbacks. True, the class of this version is not easy to determine - changes made in the design caused a number of claims for the body of the station wagon. At the same time, the visual ease of the exterior has not gone away, which is still different "Skoda Rapid" in 2015. Responses of owners confirm this quality and in practice: the car behaves beautifully in close conditions of the urban environment. But this does not limit the advantages of the next version of the Czech bestseller, some of which were acquired as a result of the last update.

General information about the model

The car got a base from the previous generations - it's the PQ25 platform that Skoda bought from Volkswagen Polo. Ironically, the dimensions of the novelty surpass the size of the Golf, although before both the European compacts were organically combined both in length and width. Nevertheless, the current deviation is not so significant, and the Czech version can be considered as an alternative to the "German". In terms of driving qualities, much has also been preserved. The model is offered with mechanical and automatic "boxes". I must say that both options turned out very worthy. For example, the version of the "Skoda Rapid" machine, reviews of which had previously been noted frequent breakdowns, in the current performance of 6 steps is almost an example of reliability. This is due to the efforts of the concern VW - German designers have revised gear units, which are used at all subsidiaries, including Skoda. But this does not stop there.

Main technical characteristics

In terms of dimensions and the overall platform, the model, by and large, remained the same. Nevertheless, some adjustments were made to the design of "Skoda Rapid", the technical characteristics of which look like this:

• The width of the car is 170.6 cm.
• The length is 448.3 cm.
• The height is 146.1 cm.
• Ground clearance - 17 cm
• The wheel platform is 260.2 cm.
• The front track is 145.7 cm.
• The rear track is 149.4 cm.
• The capacity of the tank with fuel is 55 liters.
• The curb weight is 1150 kg.

In the development of suspension and braking systems, designers did not experiment and applied traditional configurations. Behind the drum brakes are used, and in the front part - disk ventilated mechanisms. As for the suspension, an independent spring construction is realized from the front, and a semi-independent system at the rear.

Engine characteristics

The motor scale of the Czech model has expanded considerably, however, the standard petrol engine is 1.6 liters as the main motor. Actually, at the capacities of this engine, the potential of the Škoda Rapid 2015. The technical characteristics of the power plant can be presented in this way:

• Location - front.
• The fuel used is gasoline.
• The volume is 1 598 cm ³ .
• Pressurization - not provided.
• Power - 90 "horses", which corresponds to 66 kW.
• The torque at the limit values is 3800 rpm.
• The configuration of the cylinders is in-line.
• The number of cylinders is 4.
• Number of valves in the cylinder of the unit - 4
• The power supply system is realized by means of distributed injection.

The expediency of using this power unit is hindered by the ambiguous positioning of the car. For a typical European hatchback, 90-horsepower is more than enough. And even in the Russian conditions this is a very worthy indicator. But do not forget about the universal orientation of the car "Skoda Rapid". The engine for carrying out transport tasks for transporting even small-sized cargoes should still be somewhat more powerful. However, there are in the family and options for 106 liters. from.

Indicators of dynamics

I must say that the management of this model is very well implemented. This applies to the work of the accelerator, and the responsiveness of the mechanisms to manipulate the steering wheel. The car willingly copes with turns, the straight course holds confidently, and the discharge of gas does not lead to sharp jerks. All this is reflected in the dynamics of the car "Skoda Rapid", which is characterized by acceleration in 11.4 seconds and a top speed of 185 km / h. However, even for the sake of interest, it is not recommended to experiment with these standards. Still, the suspension is not designed for sporty driving, especially on non-ideal surfaces. The fact is that any unevenness is given in the cabin very acutely, accustoming the driver to a neat style of movement. Of course, this is primarily a city greenhouse hatchback, which avoids any off-road - otherwise the overhaul is inevitable.

Data on fuel consumption

Here we must again mention the automatic transmission. It is with respect to dynamic driving that she manifests her conservative nature, constantly restraining the car owner's intentions for quick driving. This does not go into plus ergonomics, but it makes it more economical to run the Skoda Rapid machine. The characteristic of fuel consumption confirms this. So, on the road the car consumes 4.6 liters, and within the city limits - 7.8 liters. This is a very good performance even for a compact hatchback. Again, it is worth recalling the engine far away from the gluttonous engines for 90 liters. from.

Of course, these are official data, which, with rare exceptions, are significantly different from real indicators. The data closest to the actual figures show a mixed cycle of fuel consumption of the Skoda Rapid car. The consumption in this calculation also confirms the economy of the model, amounting to 5.8 liters. As the owners say, the board computer can show 6-6.5 liters. And yet this is an acceptable value, if compared with the major German and Japanese class representatives.

Inner space

Just the space inside the car pushes on the idea of belonging in general a small car to the segment of station wagons. True, if strictly to approach this classification, then the model can expect maximum on the status of the shortened versatile person. Either way, the owner gets a spacious and functional salon. But the main advantages hides the luggage compartment of the car "Skoda Rapid", the technical characteristics of which look like this: the minimum capacity is 530 liters, and the total useful volume reaches 1470 liters.

This space makes it convenient to place the spare wheel in the underground, and if you fold the rear seats, then there are very decent cargo-passenger possibilities. Of course, many station wagons also provide a greater potential for free space for transport, but in this case the car still belongs to hatchbacks with all the advantages of this class in the form of dynamics and ease of control.

Positive feedback about the model

The car embodies the best qualities of the European compact, but with a budget class. This is understood by users, noting the comfort, functionality and convenience of driving the car "Skoda Rapid" in 2015. Responses of owners regarding driving performance are also generally positive. Despite the increased size, the model is still active in terms of dynamics and in a good way is gambling in the city. True, it is for fans of fast driving that motorists recommend to abandon the technological automatic transmission in the direction of "mechanics".

In other indicators, the Czech hatchback is also not bad. Particularly many are pleased with the quality of assembly and undemanding in the maintenance of the car "Skoda Rapid" in 2015. Reviews of owners do not distinguish serious problems with technical stuffing, although there are some complaints about the quality of consumables.

Negative feedback

Of the obvious defects, which are noted by the owners, it is safe to call noise insulation and rigid suspension. In general, the implementation of insulation should be considered in the context of general finishing. The manufacturer used inexpensive materials, which not only creates a sense of budgetary machine, but also affects the same protection against noise. Equally problematic is the suspension in the car "Skoda Rapid" 2015, the owners' reviews of which note its unfriendliness to the driver and passengers. In the end, you have to choose areas with a minimum number of holes, since any irregularity is felt in the cabin.

Conclusion

If we compare the model with alternative European variants of the same class, the difference will be significant. Compact city hatchbacks from the leaders of the world car industry are notable for their technological efficiency, wide functionality, increased comfort and ergonomics. Against this backdrop, the car "Skoda Rapid" can compete only in terms of manageability - it is very competently executed, which attracts many customers. However, for the rest of the indicators, the model is clearly behind. And there is an explanation for this, since Rapid still occupies the lowest price segment by European standards. For comparison: in the domestic market, this car can be purchased for 700-800 thousand rubles. In turn, similar representatives from the leading German brands are estimated at a minimum of 1 million rubles.