Czech automaker Skoda Auto arrived at Frankfurt with a whole range of new models ranging from hatchbacks to sedans and even fast, sporty four-door saloons. It was time for the annual Frankfurt auto show and Skoda took this opportunity to unveil to the world a new design direction for future Skoda products. Their line-up also included brand new models that plug-in the gaps in the market. The Skoda Rapid Spaceback slots between the Fabia and the Rapid saloon. So let's focus our attention on this new-comer and see what it has to offer.

2014 - 2015 2014 Skoda Rapid Spaceback

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 - 2015 2014 Skoda Rapid Spaceback
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 164 @ 6200
  • Torque: 151 @ 4000
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback is being portrayed as a high-volumes compact segment product aimed at the younger buyer. Considering the requirements of the target audience, the Rapid Spaceback aims to address lack of space and functionality of a standard hatchback. Hence, Skoda prefers to call it the “Spaceback”.

Skoda has undergone a complete design overhaul in recent times. Across their model range, an interesting design philosophy has been adopted and in my opinion, Skoda seems to be heading in the right direction especially after being overshadowed by sister brands under the VW Group umbrella. The fresh approach to design has given us a rather sporty looking hatchback with added space, thanks to the stretched profile. Distinct shoulder line gives the car a confident stance. The angular theme continues onto the front end which now features a reworked corporate Skoda grille and headlamp clusters that for a single unit. On the other end, the raked rear hatchback is a-la ‘Combi’ versions.

Interior

The new Skoda Rapid Spaceback is built around a wheelbase of 2.6 m. This has resulted in more usable space inside the cabin. Slender pillars offer better visibility and further add an airy feel to the interior. The car also boasts of best-in-class legroom and headroom. 415 litres of boot space is generous enough for the average modern family and with the seats folded, boot volume can be increased to 1380 litres which no other product in the segment manages to offer.

In-tune with its sporty exterior, the Rapid Spaceback gets a three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel with Column-Electric Power Steering (C-EPS) that uses a program-controlled electric servo motor on the steering column in place of the usual electro-hydraulic setup and a crisp new dashboard finished in high-quality trim pieces and soft-touch plastics. The steering wheel can be manually adjusted for rake. Black-faced dials house a multi-information display between them. Also, as part of an individualization option, Skoda offers a large panoramic glass roof.

Drivetrain

On the sidelines of the 2013 Frankfurt auto show, Skoda unveiled a range of petrol and diesel engines for the European market. It includes familiar engines from the VW family viz., TDI diesel, MPI and TSI petrol. Two 1.6 litre TDI diesel engines are available in different states of tune. The base diesel is good for 88.5 horsepower while the top-spec diesel puts out 103 of peak power.

Gasoline powered engines include a 1.2 litre MPI with 74 horsepower, two 1.2 litre TSI 4-pot engines with 84 and 103 horsepower respectively, both of which are available only with a manual gearbox. The sportiest of the lot is the 1.4 litre TSI petrol with 121 horsepower on tap coupled to a slick 7-speed DSG transmission. Skoda also offers the dual-clutch transmission on diesel version as well.

The Rapid Spaceback is based on a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout with the engine being placed transversely which liberates space inside the cabin. This architecture also contributes to keep production costs low.

Conclusion

Skoda has certainly made its intentions clear with the Rapid Spaceback. It wants a piece of the pie in the highly competitive compact car segment. It is a car I would recommend if you want an affordable, spacious, feature-packed hatchback. It has an interior that's well put together by VW standards. The DSG dual-clutch transmission is a gem and is being used across all the VW Group models and so are the TDI and TSI engines. Still, it lacks the finesse of the Golf. Simply put, it's a value-for-money buy.

Competition

Volkswagen Golf

The toughest competition for the Skoda Rapid Spaceback comes from its own sibling. The Volkswagen Golf is a legend and can potentially woo Skoda buyers into VW showrooms. Where the Golf brand has long history behind it, Skoda would have to capitalize on its value-for-money aspect. The Rapid Spaceback is cheaper than the Golf and most of its competition. It also has an attractive feature list to boast. But, it certainly isn't the best buy. The VW Golf is still our favorite.

Hyundai i30

As is expected from Hyundai, the i30 is more on the affordable side of the spectrum. That does not mean it has less in terms of features or space. The i30 gets a range of powerful diesel and petrol engines along with automatic transmission options. But, when it comes to the drive, the Hyundai falls short of a precise, taut driving experience that both the VW Golf and more notably, the Ford Focus excel at.