Childhood diseases Skoda Rapid (2012 - present).

The name - Rapid for the Skoda brand is not new. It was invented in the mid 30s. The last mention dates back to 84, it was a small two-door coupe, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Returning to the origins of model names is a tradition for Skoda.

2012, Mlada - Boleslav (Czech Republic), production of a new liftback model began (there is also a SpaceBack version - a regular hatchback) - Skoda Rapid. After 2 years, the assembly was started at the Kaluga plant.

Engines: 1.6 l (from 90 to 110 hp, acceleration to 100 km / h - 10.3 sec, average consumption - 5.8 l / 100km), 1.2 l (85 - 105 hp, up to 100 km - 10.3 s, mixed consumption - 5.4 liters), 1.4 (125 hp, up to 100 km - 9 seconds, city / highway consumption - 5.3 l) and two diesel engines for Europe 1.4 (90 hp), 1.6 (90-116 hp) .

Transmissions: mechanical - 5 tbsp, torque converter automatic - 6 gears and DSG 7 (only for 1.4).

The Rapid is built on the basis of the Polo Sedan, but is 12 cm longer than its brother. The suspension is stiff, the ground clearance is 170 mm (just right for Russia), 5 stars euroNcup, the interior plastic is hard, but of high quality.

In the basic configuration: ABS, stability control system, driver's airbag, central locking, el. power steering, front power windows, daytime running lights, trip computer, washer fluid indicator).

Top of the range options: climate control, 6 airbags, hill climb assistance, sports front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry, light and rain sensor, cruise control, 4 power windows, bi-xenon headlights, rear view camera, heated seats and windshield windows, Amudsen navigation system with AUX/USB/Bluetooth, alloy wheels 16 radius, driver fatigue sensor, parking sensors, central armrest.

Children's sores Skoda Rapid or what to look for before buying a used one?

sores	Solutions
Engine
the hum of an air conditioning compressor manufactured by Sanden	the problem was solved in 2016 by installing a Denso compressor
increased oil consumption 1.6 (110 hp) CWVA	do not pour Castrol oil, change the brand (for example - Liqui Moly 8977/9077), change the oil every 7500 - 10000 km (depending on the mode of operation city / highway)
Electrician
the accelerator pedal is oxidized, stops responding to pressing, the Check Engine lights up	changed the pedal assembly according to, (a rare sore, but it costs to replace for free)
accumulation of water in the rear doors	remove the door seals, clean the drainage holes, cut the seal at the holes
speakers wheeze at sub-zero temperatures, speaker diffusers freeze, after warming up the cabin - the problem goes away	replace with modified ones or install non-original ones, the manufacturer changes the speakers under warranty (from December 2014 - upgraded ones are installed)
climbs the code and chrome on the gear knob	replacement under warranty or installation of an updated handle
the lateral support of the driver's seat is wiped (to the metal base)	replace under warranty or repair

The rest of the sores of the car can be viewed at -. In the article about Polo, you need to pay attention to: hydraulic lifters, pump, rail, gearbox pad, stabilizer bushings, stove fan, piston knock in the 1.6 CFNA engine - I did not find such a problem on the Rapids (RF assembly - 2014, engines were installed "cured").

There is still little information about the turbo version, but since 2013 they have become belt-type, and all the sores of the previous modifications have been eliminated (we were lucky with the engines!). The latest generation DSG-7 is installed on the Rapid (since 2014), no “old” problems have been noticed, but do not forget that an oil change is desirable in this box every 50,000 km.

➖ Build Quality
➖ Oil consumption
➖ Crickets in the cabin
➖ Noise isolation
➖ Ergonomics

pros

➕ Roomy trunk
➕ Spacious interior
➕ Design

The advantages and disadvantages of the Skoda Rapid 2018-2019 in a new body are identified based on feedback from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of Skoda Rapid 1.6 90 and 100 hp. with mechanics and automatic transmission (automatic transmission) can be found in the stories below.

Owner reviews

1. The seat is convex inward, and this is on a new car, as a result - a sore back, I bought lumbar support on Ali (uncomfortable, but nowhere to go).

2. The location of the cup holder and ashtray under the buttons behind the gearshift lever - why?

3. The location of the cigarette lighter, it is also a socket, sticking vertically upwards - why? As a result, charging / anti-radar and anything else pops up on every bump, no matter how you stick it, and it’s also right under the armrest, and in order to crawl there ...

4. Isofix is ​​hidden in the slots in the upholstery, that is, not between the backs and the seat, but cut the upholstery and stuck it there.

5. I am of average height and build (176/77), but why are the pedals so close, and the steering wheel, even if it is adjusted for reach, so far? Why should I sit hunched over?

6. The worst tires you can find — Kama … This is increased noise, handling, and of course safety.

7. There is no bluetooth in the radio, the plastic on it is all rubbed from the cable that stretched to the outlet. The socket power does not turn off after the ignition key is removed (note that you may not start in the morning). The mating part of the belt is very far away, I fasten it with difficulty, my wife is pregnant, she asks me to fasten it.

8. The clutch pedal works somewhere in the middle, as if the discs have already worked out half of their resource (a colleague has the same thing).

9. Air from the central blinds always blows in the face, no matter how you adjust it.

10. Reverse gear is engaged by sinking the lever into the tunnel - a controversial decision, because it is not informative. I like the button more like in Solaris.

11. And most importantly - PRICE, people compare not just the price of a car, but also its service.

Victor Ilov, drives Skoda Rapid 1.6 (110 HP) MT 2016

Video review

The new Rapid was without music with 4 front speakers. For a penny found native music and rear 4 speakers. Parktronic? 2 700r and half a day in the garage. Hook hitch — another half a day.

The breakdowns are minor: the thermostat broke down on a run of 800 km. I replaced it myself with the original (2,000 r). At 15,000 km, the stabilizer lever rattled - I also replaced it. I don’t go to MOT (on previous machines, too, never). Oil - Opel GM 5W-40, the same specification as the native Volkswagen (which is 2.5 times more expensive) every 10,000 km.

For 2 years ran 40,000 km. There are no crickets. Handling dynamics is mediocre. I go, I do not regret for 2 years.

The owner drives a Skoda Rapid 1.6 (90 hp) on the mechanics of 2014.

Strict forms, everything is concise, without show off. Impressive light! It seems like ordinary halogens, but the light output is generally a fairy tale. I concluded that the old cars were driven by a blind man.

The salon in the Skoda Rapid is large, the little ones have fun from the heart, the place allows. I have a liftback in operation for the first time, before all the sedans were. Trunk — it's something with something! There is no comparison with a sedan.

Suspension is almost not killed. During operation, two discs and tires in tatters, and the suspension is alive. At the last MOT, the suspension was diagnosed - everything is normal. By the way, the suspension itself is set up so that it is not stiff, but it goes confidently along the highway, without any steering and does not collapse in turns.

Among the shortcomings of the Skoda Rapid, I note poor sound insulation. In winter, the windshield crackled. In general, it seems to me that the windshield is not ice. The cracks did not even come from spikes, but from small pebbles. The stock digital radio does not have a USB port. Seats are better immediately in covers - they quickly get dirty.

Vladimir Novikov, review of the Skoda Rapid 1.6 (110 hp) mechanics 2014

Do not buy this junk))) Well, or get ready to change the following parts and waste time at the dealer: brake pump vacuum, trunk gas struts, lower speakers, seat upholstery, backrest foam, heated seats, steering rack, support bearings, clutch master cylinder, stabilizer bushings, air conditioning compressor, dryer, driver seat back frame, right stabilizer strut, left power window, trunk reinstallation (rubbing seal), engine airbag + right engine mount.

This is not counting squeaks, crickets, vibrations and other things) The car really sucks, I regret that I bought it ...

On the new Rapid, such things break down that do not fit in my head, I'm shocked. If you think that you will take the mechanics and everything will be fine, then it was not there - every 20,000 km the clutch master cylinder fails.

Alexey Titov, drives a Skoda Rapid 1.6 (105 hp) automatic transmission 2014

The car was purchased in July 2017, Style equipment, manual transmission, with the addition of a number of options (bi-xenon headlights, R 16 alloy wheels, passenger seat height adjustment and heated rear seats). The price with all discounts is 802,000 rubles. During the first month of operation, the machine ran 8 thousand km, driving from Chelyabinsk to the Moscow region, from there to the Crimea and back to Chelyabinsk.

Appearance for this class of cars I think is excellent. With a height of 188 cm, I comfortably fit in it (with the seat raised to the maximum, which is surprising), which I cannot do in the Polo sedan (which is strange).

It is pleasant to sit in the car, it is also convenient and pleasant to drive it. Manual transmission switch 2-3 fingers, a very nice thing. Noise isolation is good. Seat upholstery is expensive. Modern lights, head unit, bluetooth, cruise control and climate control work perfectly.

Accelerates, in my opinion, very briskly, like all Skoda. At 120 km / h, the tachometer shows exactly 3,000 rpm (an excellent result), and fuel consumption does not creep up much. At first I was confused by 90 hp, until I realized that 110 hp. (or, for example, 123 on other machines of this class) are reached at the red zone of the tachometer. How often do you spin the engine to the red zone? Personally, I never. The average consumption on 92nd gasoline on the highway is from 5.7 to 7 liters per 100 km, in the city the range is wider - from 7.5 to 10.

— Happy sports seat. Very good lateral support, you sit like a glove. Hand on the front armrest, adjusted the steering wheel height and reach, everything is comfortable.

— Side mirrors are small, but visibility is good. Because of the tinting in the rear-view mirror, it seems like twilight, it's good that cars drive with DRLs or headlights on.

- The music is not bad, the flash drive is read, the files are in folders, it catches the radio well, and the phone works via bluetooth.

— The engine, of course, pleases. If you want to accelerate sharply, then the gas to the floor, and the car shoots. While you can note the tight gas pedal, and if you press on it smoothly, then the acceleration occurs with a slight delay. Hope it develops further.

— Box DSG works perfectly, while no kicks, no poking noticed.

Review of Skoda Rapid 1.4 TSI (125 hp) on DSG 2017 robot

The Skoda Rapid has proven to be a reliable, modern, trouble-free vehicle. It is able to provide its owner with a comfortable and safe movement with sufficient dynamics. Its components and systems usually require only scheduled maintenance. Despite this, the machine has some drawbacks.

Advantages and disadvantages of Skoda Rapid

After analyzing the reviews of the owners of the Skoda Rapid, we can highlight the pros and cons of the car, which are summarized in the table below.

Table - The main advantages and disadvantages of the Skoda Rapid car.

Car pluses	Cons of the car
Sufficient ground clearance	Bad multimedia system
Roomy trunk for easy loading	Slow warm-up of the power plant
Stylish appearance	There is no glove compartment illumination, despite the fact that there is a seat for the lamp
bright headlights	When it rains, water enters the cabin
Spacious interior	No heated windshield
Clear shifting manual transmission	Crickets in the cabin
Low fuel consumption	Trimmed standard alarm system, without shock sensor
High-quality plastic torpedoes	Short first gear for acceleration

Power plant problems

Most car owners note that the engine power is not enough for a dynamic driving style. This is especially noticeable on the Skoda Rapid with a 1.2 liter engine. It is able to provide comfortable movement in dense city traffic, but when leaving the highway it is clearly weak.

The most problematic is the 1.2 liter engine. Unlike other engines, it is the most sensitive to the quality of fuel and the correct selection of engine lubricant. There are cases when the engine fails at the first refueling with counterfeit gasoline.

To warm up the engine, long idling is required. This is especially noticeable in winter. Reaching operating temperature may take more than 15 minutes.

Power plants have a declared resource of 250 thousand km. In domestic realities, only a 1.6-liter engine can depart so much. The remaining motors require major repairs when reaching 180 - 220 thousand km.

Problems due to the grille

One of the main design miscalculations is the use of excessively large openings in the radiator grille. The vertical blades give the machine an aggressive, sporty look. At the same time, too large distances between them lead to unhindered penetration of debris through the gratings.

As a result, the lower part of the radiator is clogged. This results in poor heat transfer. Counter air flows cannot cool the radiator. Because of this, the power plant overheats, which does not affect the engine life for the better. To solve problems with excessively large grille openings, car owners install an additional mesh behind it.

Water ingress into the cabin

There are no windshields in the vehicle configuration. Therefore, in rainy weather, water enters the cabin through all the cracks. In addition, door seals constantly creak. Applying silicone grease only temporarily solves the problem. After a while, the situation repeats itself.

Problems with water getting into the cabin also exist at the front of the car. Rain flows down the windshield into the engine compartment. There, the air conditioner and steering rack are flooded with water. Further, moisture is distributed into the cabin. This leads to excessive wear of the elements in contact with water.

Transmission problems

The manual gearbox has practically no drawbacks. In many cases, it lasts longer than the motor. Problems with the manual transmission can begin with a run of more than 280 - 300 thousand km.

The automatic transmission is not known for its reliability. Problems may appear with a run of 60 - 80 thousand km. The most common problem is the lack of smoothness when shifting gears.

While driving in a traffic jam or during dynamic driving, there are cases of automatic transmission overheating. Frequent excess of the operating temperature can take the machine out of action by 50 - 55 thousand km.

Vehicle comfort

The main advantage of the car is a spacious and convenient trunk for loading. The driver's workplace is made in Spartan style. The attitude to this among the owners is different and depends on personal taste.

Landing in Skoda Rapid is uncomfortable. The front seats are too hard and straight. Together with a rigid suspension, this leads to the transfer to the body of the driver and passengers of all the bumps in the road surface that the car overcomes.

Even worse landing in the back row of seats. They are designed for passengers with short stature. Tall people have a high chance of hitting their head against the ceiling or hitting their head on it during the trip.

The back row does not shine and the width. It is problematic to place three passengers on it.

Suspension problems

Most car owners note that the suspension is too stiff. It transfers to the body all the flaws in the road surface. This significantly reduces the driving comfort of the car.

Suspension problems begin with a run of more than 40 thousand km. Shock absorbers most often lose their properties. With frequent trips on country roads, a bulkhead of racks may be required after 60 thousand km.

With runs of more than 100 thousand km, due to excessive stiffness of the suspension, cracks may appear on the metal of the body. To eliminate them, you will need to resort to welding. Therefore, many car owners upgrade the suspension in advance, making it softer.

Electronics problems

The engine control unit is not particularly reliable. The flashing of the firmware program often occurs with a run of 40 - 70 thousand km. To fix the problem, you need to reflash the module. Under the most unfavorable conditions, the ECU may need to be replaced.

Multimedia system in the standard version does not have USB. Its speakers are very sensitive to temperature. The sound quality, in most cases, is unsatisfactory. There are frequent cases of rubbing of wires with a run of 70 - 90 thousand km.

Sensors often fail during operation. Terminal blocks are too susceptible to oxidation. Contact deterioration can be detected on cars with a mileage of more than 50 thousand km. As a result, the ECU does not receive information about the operation of the engine, which causes instability in the crankshaft speed of the power plant.

Corrosion resistance

Skoda Rapid car has a thick layer of paintwork. This saves it from the early appearance of chips, scratches and rust streaks on the body elements.

The weak point of the car is the wheel arches and the floor under the trunk cover. In the absence of additional measures to combat corrosion on the part of the car owner, rust pockets may appear in the listed places. Despite the use of high-quality metal, after 2-4 years of operation, corrosion spots can turn into through holes. If the car owner periodically conducts anti-corrosion treatment, it is impossible to detect rust even with a run of 250-300 thousand km.

Demonstrating your superiority over those on whom you depend is fraught: the big uncles of such an upstart will be removed from the run - and remember your name. It seems all the more surprising that almost every new Skoda manages to outdo the Volkswagen models at least in some way. Think of the Yeti's cabin transformation possibilities that the Tiguan lacks; or, for example, the spaciousness of the Superb sofa, which can arouse the envy of the trade winds. Yes, and the volume of the trunk of the Octavia is an unrealizable dream of the owner of any Golf.

And most of all, the Czech economy pleases: cars from Mladá Boleslav are cheaper than the “originals”! So Rapid had to go the same beaten path. However, he chose his own path - if we talk about Russian realities.

By the way, in Europe there is no competition between Polo and Rapid, and there cannot be, because they are very different cars: the German is a compact hatchback, while the Czech tramples the golf class in size. But with us, Rapid had a harder time, since the Russian Polo is an impressive sedan, almost as large as the Skoda. And although both cars grew up at the same incubator in Kaluga, the Rapid turned out to be more expensive.

It is not surprising that buyers accepted the novelty cautiously: the more expensive Octavia diverges one and a half times better, not to mention the Polo, which sells almost three times better.

Which choice?

What about Active?

At first glance, the price tag of 479 thousand rubles, taking into account the size of the car and its similarity to the Octavia, looks very attractive. However, if you take a good look at the car, it is easy to understand that the picture is not so rosy. With diligence worthy of a better use, the Czechs save on the bare necessities: the electric drive and heated mirrors, air conditioning, radio and remote control for central locking were deleted from the basic version of Active by a ruthless hand. There are also gaps in terms of safety: there is ABS, but there is only one airbag - the driver's airbag. But the same Polo has two airbags in the base!

But most importantly, the base Rapid is equipped with a frail 1.2-liter engine (75 hp), which is frankly not enough for a car weighing almost 1.2 tons. The presence in the "Active" of a full-size spare wheel, a pair of power windows and heated windshield washer nozzles is little consolation.

Choosing the optimum

Rapid becomes a full-fledged machine starting from the second version of Ambition with a 1.6 liter engine. This equipment itself is 70 thousand rubles more expensive, plus another 50 thousand will be asked for a 1.6-liter engine - perhaps the most reliable power unit from the Volkswagen portfolio. Everything is clear with the motor - this is a living wage. Is it possible to save money if you do not overpay for a more expensive package, but equip the base with separate options?

Here's what happens. Add to the "Active" heating of the front seats and mirrors, air conditioning, radio and a second pillow costs 48 thousand rubles. And if you still fork out for Ambition, then the remaining 22 thousand will bring you a whole dozen more options that are by no means useless - this is a eyeglass case, glove box lighting and pockets on the backs of the seats, an on-board computer, a folding back of the sofa in parts, central locking control and a “navigator’s » backlight. Definitely, it is Ambition that deserves to be the optimum.

The same version becomes a starting point if you like Rapid with a turbo engine and a preselective “robot”. Surcharge for 1.4 TSI DSG (if you start from Rapid 1.6 AT) is not so big - 35 thousand. At the same time, you will also receive ESP as a bonus, which in itself costs 7,000 rubles. Good offer!

By the way, after some time (not earlier than next year), dealers will also have the long-announced Rapid Spaceback, which is a cross between a hatchback and a station wagon with a shortened rear overhang and a higher roof.

As usual, you can choose the color of the body. The palette consists of nine colors, of which you can get white and Pacific blue for free. Any of the seven metallics will require an additional payment of 12 thousand rubles.

Outside and inside

You give a record!

The liftback fully exploits the proportions and style of the eldest Octavia. He is not at all aggressive, but in a fashionable way he is smart. And only bypassing the car from all sides, it can be noted that its body is a little narrower than it should be.

However, a talented seller is unlikely to pay attention to this. He will probably offer to start acquaintance with the car from the trunk. Effectively and effortlessly (thanks to the pneumatic supports!) the highly raised fifth door of colossal dimensions will open access to impressive bins. In shape, this is an almost regular parallelepiped with a volume of 550 liters. If you remove the shelf and fold the back of the sofa, the capacity will almost triple. Perhaps, in terms of cargo transportation, Rapid is the champion in its class.

The only pity is that the doors and bumpers are not protected by moldings: the very first “contact” parking will remind you of their absence. Fog lights are too large - even small pebbles can leave an annoying crack on the glass. It's bad that you have to pay extra for the "janitor" on the fifth door - but any "Rapid" needs it! Dirt from the road almost does not fly here - thanks to the step at the stern - however, in rain and snow, the glass quickly loses its transparency.

What other significant disadvantages does Rapid have? Like the Polo, it has very low rear spring mounts, only 126mm from the ground. And the Czechs saved on the lock of the gas tank hatch, which is also not good: an ice scraper fixed to it runs the risk of becoming an easy prey for thieves.

Welcome

Looking around, it is easy to see that the front panel looks in German strict, concise and at the same time noble. Unless the basic version has too much gray, easily scratched plastic - but there are quite appropriate aluminum inserts here.

A pleasant surprise awaits guests in the back row: there is almost as much legroom as the best representatives of the class - Nissan Almera and Peugeot 301 / Citroen C-Elysee.

There is no shortage of coat hooks and cup holders in any of the versions. And at the optimum, you also get additional backlights. In addition, for a modest fee of 3,000 rubles, you can equip the sofa with a central folding armrest with cup holders.

The only bad thing is that the rear window is located at a large slope. So that the passengers of the sofa do not get sun baked on their heads on the road, you will have to take care of a sun blind or tinting.

Behind the wheel

According to the German pattern

If the rear doorways are hospitably wide, then the front doors are deprived of this virtue. Even worse, the tide of the front panel protrudes treacherously in the opening. Swinging my right leg into the saloon in a lordly manner, I got a bump on my shin. And I still have a moderate complexion! And what about the bigger ones?

The ergonomics of the driver's seat completely repeats other cars of the Volkswagen group. An impressive range of steering and seat adjustments allow you to get exactly the way you want. Any buttons and levers do not raise questions: they are extremely functional, and their shape and location are perfectly matched. In "Rapid" there can be two types of on-board computer, which are controlled in different ways: either by a button at the end of the right steering column switch, or by keys on the right steering wheel spoke (Maxi Dot). To the convenience of manipulation - no complaints.

There are three different audio systems to choose from. The optimal version of Ambition corresponds to the Blues 1 DIN head unit, which plays discs and reads flash drives - and at the same time sounds good. The “head” of Swing, which is only 3,000 rubles more expensive, looks more elegant, although in terms of capabilities it practically does not differ from the simplest “music”. The top-of-the-line Amundsen with touch screen is the most beautiful of all: this audio system looks better and sounds cleaner. In addition, navigation is “wired” in it. The only pity is that it costs 28,000 rubles - too expensive for the democratic "Rapid".

But there is a nuance

Having got used to it a little, you begin to notice nuances that are imperceptible at first glance. The chair has good lateral support, but for some reason the back is curved unnaturally strongly. An adjustable lumbar cushion would definitely not interfere with her - without it, after a couple of hours on the road, her back may ache. Only the sports front seats included in the Dynamic package are deprived of this drawback. However, this pleasure is not free - 23,000 rubles.

The armrest makes it difficult to use the handbrake, and the gas pedal travel turned out to be unexpectedly short - only 4.5 cm. Alas, not everything is fine with the car and with visibility: the rear pillars are very wide, the driver cannot see the boundaries of the trunk lid. The situation is not saved and not too large side mirrors. You can order parking sensors, but it is not cheap - 13,500 rubles.

Please note that the only truly safe Rapid is the Safety 2 package, which increases the number of airbags to six and adds ESP to the car. In the EuroNCAP tests, just such a car was able to earn five stars.

On the roads and without them

Without complexes

The viability of the base 1.2-liter engine is in doubt. At one time, this 3-cylinder power unit moved the first-generation Fabia quite tolerably, but it could not cope with the Rapid, which is noticeably heavier. Here is a very short (4.93:1) main pair, however, it does not save the situation either; so I would not recommend this engine even to a very calm driver, so as not to cause an inferiority complex in him.

The 105-horsepower 1.6-liter engine is not only noticeably more powerful, but also much, so to speak, more convenient - it allows you to more accurately control the speed. This power unit pulls confidently from the very bottom, and when it reaches medium speeds, it becomes even more temperamental. The precise work of the “mechanics” encourages you to go faster - however, there is no point in turning the engine above 4500 rpm: there will be more noise than dynamics. And on the highway, additional forces would not interfere, as well as a sixth gear in a manual box.

In combination with an automatic transmission, such a Rapid takes it faster from a place, but it turns out to be slower in inter-traffic light races. The "automatic" is clearly tuned to save: if you handle the gas pedal without excessive aggression, he strives to tuck the highest gear ahead of time. The sports mode saves the situation: thanks to it, even with careful handling of the accelerator, the speed does not fall below the mark of 2000 rpm. But both when driving with a full load, and when overtaking from 80 km / h, you will always have to put up with the role of a person who is not in a hurry.

More fun

A remark should be made here: the naturally aspirated 1.6 MPI is not very economical. In traffic jams, he diligently digests, on average, 12.2 liters per 100 km, and only with measured driving on the highway, the consumption drops to 7.6 liters. However, a more powerful turbo engine in long-distance conditions is a couple of liters more economical.

The 1.4-liter TSI turned out to be an excellent student in all disciplines. With it, Skoda accelerates much faster! And the turbo has essentially only one minus - in a ragged urban rhythm, you need to or barely stroke the gas pedal, otherwise the impression of the transmission will deteriorate: delays in switching at a snail's speed become annoying. However, all this is fully compensated by the dashing set of speed from the move - that's where Rapid gives genuine pleasure!

At the same time, bends with variable curvature pass very confidently. In the "drawers" you can safely race at the limit of the grip properties of tires - "Skoda" will not require correction of the trajectory with the steering wheel. By the way, modifications with a turbo engine are equipped with rear disc brakes, while less powerful versions are equipped with drums. With frequent sharp decelerations from high speed, as well as on mountain roads, this is quite a significant plus.

Other bonuses of the 1.4-liter "Rapid" are an electric interior heater, an assistant when starting uphill and ESP. By the way, the stabilization system is set up perfectly and allows you to release the car in small slips. And frankly, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tires are frankly pleasing, which tenaciously cling to the asphalt.

Outcome

Rapid will definitely find its buyer. First of all, those who need a car similar to the Polo sedan, but with a more comfortable trunk and an excellent turbo engine, will pay attention to it. It can also be advised to those who would like to purchase an Octavia, but do not have sufficient funds. And yet, regrettably, the price of the optimal version exceeds 600 thousand, as a result of which the language does not turn to call this model a budget one.

The fact that any modern Skoda largely repeats Volkswagen is nothing more than an open secret. Something else often remains secret - how, with total dependence on the Germans, do the Czechs manage to preserve their originality in cars and sometimes even make them more interesting? Rapid, which has many points of intersection with Polo, is a clear example of this. The most unexpected thing was that the “poor relative” received a more ambitious price than he was supposed to according to his status.

Skoda Rapid is a convenient liftback with many functional solutions for the car owner. However, like any car, the Rapid has its drawbacks. They also influence the reviews of the owners, who are full of comments regarding the various characteristics of the car. What does not suit Skoda Rapid drivers - we will find out further.

Technical malfunctions

Many Skoda car owners do not like the quality of spare parts. This is especially true of the stabilizer bushings. In the cold, the car has characteristic squeaks of the bushings, which can not always be changed under warranty. If this problem does not bother you much, you can wait until spring: when it gets warmer, the creak goes away. The main thing is not to smear with silicone - the rubber bands wear out quickly, as more dirt will stick.

The creak of door seals is another common malfunction of the Skoda Rapid. Car owners complain that it starts to creak after the first washes. A possible cause is the small gaps in the velvet. Someone smears these places with laundry soap, someone with silicone from the inside.

Among the owners of Skoda, there are cases when the foam breaks in the seats of the driver and passengers. The reason is a manufacturing defect or poor material that cannot withstand the load. But this malfunction bypasses some drivers, and does not appear when buying. It is difficult to talk about any regularity in this situation.

It is known that some owners complain about wheezing speakers in the cold. Official dealers, as a rule, do not comment on this situation. Such shortcomings of the Skoda Rapid especially concern car owners from the northern regions of the Russian Federation.

Air conditioning and cooling system

One of the diseases of the Skoda Rapid car is clogging of the lower part of the radiator. This happens due to excessively large holes in the vertical blades of the radiator grille. In this case, the driver may get a possible overheating of the car engine. To avoid this, it is recommended to install an additional protective grid.

Among the manufacturer's shortcomings, one can note the flooding of the air conditioner with rainwater. This also applies to the steering rack. Water flows down the windshield on the passenger side, then gets under the hood and floods the parts listed above. Perhaps, over time, the problem will be solved by the manufacturer, or this issue will completely fall on the shoulders of the car owner.

Transmission elements

A typical breakdown of the Skoda Rapid is a gearbox ailment. We are talking about the loss of smoothness of the gearshift mechanism. This happens due to the wear of the clutch discs caused by the increased operating temperature of the mechatronics. If you don't want to face a similar problem when owning your Skoda Rapid, take the manufacturer's advice carefully. When stopping for more than 1 minute, do not be too lazy to switch the gearbox from mode D to mode N. This way you will save your car from premature repairs.

DSG transmission jerks are also the cause of mechatronics malfunction. This problem is quite well known among owners - it occurs already at an early stage of car operation. In previous versions of Skoda, drivers also encountered this typical malfunction. In some cases, in order to find a solution to the issue, it was even possible not to disassemble the device. However, it is best to contact a specialized service in the event of a problem.

Electronics

Skoda Rapid cars with low mileage may have trouble with electronic devices, namely with the control unit software. This trouble is solved by a simple flashing, but it also requires the owner to spend time and money.

An incorrectly inserted cigarette lighter even at the stage of assembling the car can later cause a short circuit and blow the fuse. This moment requires care from the car owner: watch how you insert the cigarette lighter into place.

Many drivers complain about the noise from the car's air conditioner. Moreover, the problem concerns not only a specific model, but also other Skoda cars. The issue is solved by installing a new compressor, and often the noise becomes quieter for a while. Owners complain about defective parts, but there are no other solutions yet.

We examined the main typical malfunctions of Skoda Rapid cars. It can be seen that of the critical shortcomings of the car, only problems with the gearbox can be called. The rest of the minuses take place in other car brands. It is possible and even necessary to deal with them at the stage of buying a car, because dealers provide services for replacing elements under warranty. In general, the car deserves respect, and even minor problems will not play a decisive role in refusing to buy this handsome man.