Skoda Rapid Spaceback review

The interior is where the Rapid’s inexpensiveness is really felt. The steering wheel, handbrake and gear-lever of the high-spec SE Sport we tested are nice enough to handle, but the dashboard, grab-handles and centre console are all moulded from brittle plastics that feel quite cheap to the touch. But this is a Skoda, so nothing rattles and, even though the materials let it down, everything feels solidly put together. A large panoramic sunroof is optional and really brightens up an otherwise plainly styled interior.

Plain, but quite spacious. The Rapid’s boot is bigger than a Ford Focus’s, and there’s more knee-room for people sitting in the rear-seats too. The front-seats are comfortable enough, and the driving position reasonable, but because the backrests are adjusted with ratchets instead of dials, getting comfortable is trickier than it ought to be.

All Spacebacks get a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which on every trim bar basic ‘S’ gets built-in navigation. It’s a well laid-out, easy-to-use system, but recognisably a generation behind what’s available elsewhere in Skoda’s range. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality is a £155 option that’s well worth having.