Interior and features
Not much has changed on the inside of the Skoda Rapid. The headline news inside the cabin is the inclusion of cruise control for the Ambition Plus and Elegance variants.
Skoda have also incorporated a new magnetic card holder on the center console for holding toll tickets.
Parking sensors have also been incorporated in the car for the new model. Last but not the least, Skoda have introduced a unique iOS5 and Android based phone app for the back seat occupants. Using this application, the rear seat occupants can remotely control the car’s radio.
These are pretty much all the new changes incorporated on the new Rapid’s inside. Other features of the car remain the same as the previous model, and comprise a long list. The complete details of the features and variants available on the new Skoda Rapid are provided below.
Exterior features
| Design | Active | Ambition | Ambition Plus | Elegance |
| Exterior Chrome Decor | ||||
| Chrome trim on Radiator grille | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome surround for radiator grille | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Interior Chrome Décor and colours | ||||
| Chrome décor for interior door handles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome décor for front centre console, gearshift selector, locking button of hand brake | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome trim on AC vents and duct sliders | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome trim on steering wheel | No | No | No | Yes |
| Ivory interior dual tone Mocca/Ivory front dashboard and door panels, Mocca Centre console, Ivory Upholstery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exterior colour coding | ||||
| Body colour external mirrors and door handles | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Body colour bumpers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gloss black décor on B-pillar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safety | ||||
| Illumination | ||||
| Halogen projector headlights with manual leveling | No | No | No | Yes |
| Halogen Headlights with manual leveling | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Front Fog Lights | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Fog Lights | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High mounted LED Brake Lamp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visibility | ||||
| Anti Glare interior rear view mirror | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear windscreen defogger with timer | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Braking | ||||
| ABS | No | Yes (With Automatic Transmission) | Yes | Yes |
| Brake Assist | No | Yes (With Auto) | Yes | Yes |
| Parking Sensor | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags | ||||
| Front Driver side airbag | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front passenger air bag | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Occupant Restraint | ||||
| Height adjustable seat belts (Front) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Two three point outer seat belts and centre lap belt at rear | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Height adjustable head restraint (Front and rear) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| More | ||||
| Rough road package | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Child proof rear door locking and windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Child proof rear window locking | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Speed warning alarm | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fuel cut-off in a crash | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Door Open indicator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency triangle and dual tone horn | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security | ||||
| Engine immobilizer with floating code system | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security code for audio player | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Remote control with foldable key | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote door and boot lid lock/unlock | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Central Locking and unlocking of doors/boot lid | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote opening/closing of windows | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Door lock | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Height adjustment for driver seat | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front / Rear centre armrest | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steering wheel adjustable for Rake and reach | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Interior equipment:
| Entertainment | Active | Ambition | Ambition Plus | Elegance |
| Skoda Audio Player (2-Din) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Large format display | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Front and rear speakers | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| After market audio preparation 1-Din+Cable+Connector | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Audio controls on steering wheel | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| USB and Aux input | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| SD/MMC card reader | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Climate control | ||||
| Manual A/C | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Climatronic ACC with electronically regulated cabin temperature | No | No | No | Yes |
| Dual rear A/c vents on rear centre console | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dust & Pollen filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upholstery | ||||
| Ivory fabric upholstery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leather wrapped steering wheel | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Leather wrapped gear shift selector | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Leather wrapped hand brake lever | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| External Mirrors | ||||
| Manually adjustable rear view mirrors | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Electronically adjustable rear view mirrors | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | ||||
| Front and rear power windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| One touch Up/Down | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bounce back system | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tinted windows and wind screen | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Convenience | ||||
| Telephone Pre-installation | ||||
| GSM telephone preparation with Bluetooth | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Telephone controls on Steering | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Audio streaming | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Information Display | ||||
| MFD Display for travelling time, distance travelled, average speed, immediate consumption, average consumption, distance to empty, service interval, outside temperature, clock | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Gear change indicator (Diesel) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Interior Illumination | ||||
| Reading lamp at the front | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reading spot lamps at the rear | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Boot light | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 12v power socket in centre console | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Front sun visors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vanity mirror in left front sun visor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Foldable roof handles Front/Rear | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lights on acoustic signal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote boot release | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | ||||
| Passenger compartment | ||||
| Storage compartment in front and rear doors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bottle holder in front doors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cup holders Front/Rear | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage compartment under front centre armrest | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage pockets on the backrest of the front seats | No | No | No | Yes |
| Magnetic card holder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coat holder on B-pillar and roof handles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Black Package (Optional) | O | |||
| Black shades with front fog lamps | O | |||
| Black Shades on projector headlamps | O | |||
| Black Alloy Wheels 15” | O | |||
| Black colour outer rear view mirror | O | |||
| Black colour front grille including logo lip | O |
Variants and Colour Options:
| Variants | Engine | |||
| Trim | 1.6 MPI | 1.6 MPI (A) | 1.5 TDI CR | 1.5 TDI CR (A) |
| Active | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Ambition / Ambition Plus | Yes | Ambition Plus | Yes | Yes |
| Elegance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Colours | ||||
| Brilliant Silver | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Candy White | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cappuccino Beige | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deep Black Pearl | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Red | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Toffee Brown (New body colour) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ride and handling
As mentioned earlier, the Rapid, ever since its launch has strongly laid its claim to being the best handling car in the segment. With the underpinnings on the new car having not being changed, the car retains its fabulous road manners. The Rapid takes into its stride even the more vicious undulations without breaking a sweat. It’s only on the acutely broken pieces of tar with sharp ridges where the Rapid really lets a thud pass into the cabin. The balance between a composed ride and reassuring handling exhibited by the rapid is laudable and is a benchmark for its segment.
We drove the Rapid spiritedly around the same area where we drove the Tata Zest a few months ago. The difference one could feel piloting this German sedan should be experienced to be believed. While the former would request you to lift off if you were entering a corner with overly zesty intentions, this one shows terrific poise and balance. It actually eggs you on to try harder. The steering is incredibly neutral and you enter corners on a fabulously balanced set of wheels. You may even induce a deliberate oversteer and slide without the fear of losing control. While the feedback at the steering, thanks to the insulation isn’t too great, it’s amazingly precise and lets you place the car wonderfully well on the road.
Having experienced the delightful combo of absorbent ride and predictable handling with this Skoda, we really cannot take away anything from this car’s claim to being the most sorted machine in terms of ride and handling for its segment.
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I bought a 2014 rapid but am disappointed with the dsg gear change when in traffic it surges forward as soon as you let the footbrake off.also I have found it difficult to reverse it up a slope it drops out of gear just at the last foot from the wall behind me and then I have to use the handbrake to get it back because goes back to fast.
is this a fault?