Skip advert
Advertisement

Skoda Rapid Spaceback video review

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback is the company's latest family car - but does it live up to its name?

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 2013 video review

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback might be a bit of a confusing prospect - after all, it has the word space in the name, but actually has less room than the standard car. You can watch our Skoda Rapid Spaceback video review to find out more - and just why this car even exists.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Skoda Rapid Spaceback review

The current Rapid has the body of a saloon, but is actually a hatchback, and offers a lot of space for not very much money. The new Skoda Rapid Spaceback is not an estate, but is in fact shorter than the Rapid, with a smaller boot. It does get more passenger room though, and a more traditional hatchback shape - hence the name.

Sit in the back of the Rapid Spaceback and the name starts to make sense. There's so much legroom it feels like a bigger car such as the Ford Mondeo. The extra glass means its lighter inside too, which makes it feel much less cramped for passengers.

When it comes to design, however, the two Skoda Rapid siblings are virtually identical. From the front you'll be hard pressed to tell them apart - they've both got the Skoda family face, and the grille and headlights are the same.

At the back it's much easier to tell them apart - the Spaceback is 180mm shorter than the standard car and the rear glass area near the C-pillar has been expanded to increase headroom. You can also get a style pack that adds a roof spoiler, darker rear lights and gloss black mirrors to give it a bit more desirability.

New for the Spaceback is a lower powered 89bhp diesel, which gets 67mpg, emits 114g/km. This engine is also used for the Greenline version, which will have low ride height, even more efficiency tweaks, and that gets the Spaceback under 100g/km.

The 1.2-litre TSI is the best one to go for, with a six-speed manual gearbox and it feels more like a driver's car. The Spaceback also gets a new electric power steering system and a retuned set of dampers.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024