The Skoda Rapid didn't feature too highly in the recognition stakes until Pope Francis took to the streets of Dublin in one. So what kind of car is the Rapid and does it deserve its new recognition ? Our Motoring Editor, Donal Byrne, has been driving it.
Most cars are designed from the outside in. The Skoda Rapid reminds one of a car that has been designed from the inside out. If you were to set about building a car built on a small number of fundamentals - space, comfort, economy and simplicity of form and, perhaps most important, budget - then the Fabia is one of the best examples around. These fundamentals are evident throughout the car and in the overall experience of driving it.
The official Papal Rapid.
It's a competitor for cars like the Ford Focus and the Kia Ceed. It as the looks of neither and it certainly does'nt have any of the driving dynamics of the Focus or the charm of the Ceed. But neither does it cost as much as either of them. At under €20,000 for its starting price it is aimed at the budget-conscious and the no nonsense buyer - those for whom cheap does not have to involve cheerful. And there are quite a few people who value economy and bang for their buck more than what the glossy advertising lavished on other cars promises.
The car Francis was driven around in (now given to the Dublin Catholic charity, Crosscare), was a 1.0 litre petrol version producing a fairly modest 95 horse power, which probably explains the presence of some very much more powerful vehicles in his motorcade ! It was chosen for its modesty - the Pope usually selects cars like the equally modest Fiat 500 for his official trips - and modesty is what you get with the Rapid.
And, yes, it's a very modest drive except for one thing - it's engine. I've mentioned this engine several times - it is present throughout the Volkswagen Group, of which Skoda is a part, - as one of the best small petrol engines around. It's not quite as good as the one we reviewed in the Suzuki Swift but it is a hell of a lot better than Ford's much-lauded Ecoboost. It is turbo-charged and supercharged to give it plenty of pulling power and smooth power delivery. For a city car it is ideal and for the occasional longer journey equally fine. Consumption comes in at an impressive 6.5 litres of petrol for every 100 kilometres, or about 43 miles per gallon in old money.
There is nothing much to be said for the car's ride and handling - they are adquate - but they are two features unlikely to be of major interest to anyone looking to buy this car.
The interior is basic and short on originality.
It's when you get to the inside that the Rapid reveals itself. It has a very generous boot - something Skoda strives for - and adequate space for four adults. The rest of the experience, however, is quite drab. Money has not been spent on giving the car its own unique identity. Instead, there are a few limited features and plenty that are familiar from throughout the VW family. In short, it's a budget finish with a lot of plastic and the standard infotainment screen is just that - quite standard.
So, if you want a cheap car that has a good engine, excellent economy, a no-nonsense finish and has a big boot and good interior space then the Rapid will fit the bill. If you want something that has character and personality then it's a non-runner. As for driving dynamics the dull feel of the steering pretty much says it all.
I don't think even Pope Francis can bless this car with a new-found popularity but it does deserve a better profile than it has had. When it comes to budget, that is.
