The crowded C segment was shaken up with the launch of Skoda Rapid last year in India. The Czech sedan has responded very well to its given responsibilities by bringing in very decent number of sales past 6 months and growing. In this crowded segment the sedan fights for space with rivals like Honda City, Nissan Sunny and Hyundai Verna. The sedan exclusively made keeping Indian conditions had expectations like that of Skoda Octavia, the inaugural premium sedan from Skoda that was a runaway success in the country. The Rapid shares same platform as in Volkswagen Vento along with majority of same features inside.

From the front, which has stretched wing shaped headlamps along with signature Skoda grille, one can find great resemblance to Skoda Fabia hatchback. The bonnet is pretty long and solid like a BMW’s, while the squarish unique fog lamps are ones found in hatch too, that makes quite difficult to recognize especially when you see from the front angle. The premium cues and lines flowing all over the body together with polished rear presents an exquisite feel.Skoda Rapid Price is notable.

In the interiors, the similarities with Vento continue swank with some borrowing from Fabia too. In front, the dashboard and switch gear are easily familiar to Vento, moreover the steering, instrument panel and music player say Fabia. The beige theme in the large cabin provides with airy feel and with convenient aspects like climate control, power windows and cool looking ac vents teamed up with many handy holes/storage spaces make journey comfortable. But the absence of steering mounted controls is felt in Skoda Rapid. The front seats have proper comfort with driver side armrest is height-adjustable, which comes useful while shifting of gears hassle-freely. The interiors quality is ages-ahead of the segment rivals and other things are accurately in place. Furthermore, the safety aspect is catered very well and is up to the mark.

Offered in petrol as well as diesel choices, the Skoda Rapid 1.6L diesel motor churns 105bhp of sheer power at 4400rpm along with superb 250Nm torque between 1500-2500rpm. While the same 1.6L petrol power train produces 105bhp of maximum power at 5250rpm besides 153Nm at 3800rpm. Here the petrol motor is also presented with AT mechanism for better and smoother drives producing same power and torque figures as seen in manual version. Both the engines are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox together with 6-speed auto gearbox.

Read Skoda Rapid User Reviews written by the owners on Carkhabri.com. Also browse through the Skoda Rapid Photos gallery available on Carkhabri.com.