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    Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSI

    The Skoda Rapid can trace its roots all the way back to the thirties, but it’s been nearly 30 years since a model wearing that badge was available in UK dealers. With the new Rapid now on sale, has it been worth the wait?

    It’s designed to slot into the Skoda range between the Fabia supermini and soon-to-be-replaced Octavia, and is a practical, no-nonsense and affordable family car. This is reflected in the Rapid’s styling.

    The lines are clean and sleek, and while you’d struggle to call it a head-turner, it’s what’s inside that counts – and this is where the Rapid scores. No matter where you’re sitting, there’s lots of space. Driver and front seat passenger have plenty of legroom, while six-footers will have no trouble getting comfortable in the rear.

    Plus, the interior is robustly built from good-quality materials, while the switchgear and controls are perfectly laid out. Our SE car benefited from air-con, an iPod connection, Bluetooth, hill-hold and alloy wheels as standard.

    The Rapid’s roomy feel extends to the boot, which has a class-leading luggage capacity of 550 litres. Fold the rear seats, and the volume increases to a whopping 1,490 litres.

    Buyers can take their pick from five engines – four petrols and a 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI diesel. The smooth 85bhp 1.2-litre TSI petrol model tested here is set to be the best seller, though, and it’s easy to see why. Even though it’s small, this turbo engine feels remarkably lively, yet it emits just 119g/km of CO2 and should return 50mpg-plus economy.

    Light, precise steering and decent grip help the Rapid feel composed and well controlled on the road. And although the ride is a little firm and wind noise can be intrusive on the motorway, this is all forgiven when you see the price. Entry-level models start at £12,900, while our well equipped SE will set you back £14,650.

    Factor in low running costs and that unrivalled practicality, and the Rapid makes a lot of sense.

    David Novak
    David Novakhttps://www.gadgetgram.com
    For the last 20 years, David Novak has appeared in newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV around the world, reviewing the latest in consumer technology. His byline has appeared in Popular Science, PC Magazine, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Electronic House Magazine, GQ, Men’s Journal, National Geographic, Newsweek, Popular Mechanics, Forbes Technology, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Glamour Magazine, T3 Technology Magazine, Stuff Magazine, Maxim Magazine, Wired Magazine, Laptop Magazine, Indianapolis Monthly, Indiana Business Journal, Better Homes and Garden, CNET, Engadget, InfoWorld, Information Week, Yahoo Technology and Mobile Magazine. He has also made radio appearances on the The Mark Levin Radio Show, The Laura Ingraham Talk Show, Bob & Tom Show, and the Paul Harvey RadioShow. He’s also made TV appearances on The Today Show and The CBS Morning Show. His nationally syndicated newspaper column called the GadgetGUY, appears in over 100 newspapers around the world each week, where Novak enjoys over 3 million in readership. David is also a contributing writer fro Men’s Journal, GQ, Popular Mechanics, T3 Magazine and Electronic House here in the U.S.

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