Skoda Rapid Spaceback

FIRST DRIVE Can latest refresh perk up the slow-selling Rapid? We hit the road to find out

- Naylor Sam

SKODA has been hard at work so far in 2017, refreshing its range in an attempt to keep pace with the recently revealed Kodiaq SUV. Now, even the Rapid – the brand’s smallest-selling car in the UK – has been given a light facelift.

Here we’re driving the more desirable Spaceback, which sits alongside the rather dull and dreary-looking hatchback and takes the overwhelming majority of the Rapid’s sales in Britain. There are a few changes to the lights and front bumper, but the new look is very subtle. Instead, the important details are under the bonnet. 

In place of the old 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine, Skoda has fitted new, downsized 1.0 units with either 94bhp or 109bhp. Both claim more than 61mpg, with emissions as low as 103g/km. We’d opt for the higher-power version, though, as the 94bhp model feels underpowered when you hit a steep incline or need to accelerate out of trouble. Both engines are fun to rev, and produce the same thrumming note you’d expect from a three-cylinder unit. Each is much quieter than the diesel when you’re driving in a more relaxed way, too.