Skoda Rapid Sport 1.2 TSI 105 first drive

A bit of extra value and kit-related bling for the already value-packed Skoda Rapid. The Rapid Sport isn’t a performance makeover, but a special edition version of the cut-price Ford Focus rival that does what special editions always do: rekindle a bit of interest by bundling optional kit together for a bargain price.

Based on the mid-range, 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI SE model, the Sport gets 17in alloy wheels, sports seats, steel pedals, black door mirror caps and a bootlid spoiler over and above ‘SE’ specification.

Its equipment Skoda claims is worth £1250, thrown in for nothing – since the Rapid Sport is priced at the same £15,630 as the regular SE.

Beyond that, this is an ordinary Rapid – with the emphasis resolutely on the ‘ordinary’. Longer, slightly narrower and a bit cheaper than the average full-sized family hatchback, the Rapid is very much the Czech maker’s familiar ‘liftback’ body style downsized a bit: generous of passenger space – functional, robust and unadorned by way of material feel – and in need of all the help it can get on desirability.

All the car you most probably will ever need on a daily basis. Skoda’s intention was clearly to address that brief with the Rapid, and to deliver it as cheaply as possible. And given it’s so cheap – fully £3000 less than an equivalent Vauxhall Astra, itself a very reasonably priced car – it’s remarkable how pleasant and well mannered the Rapid is.

This is an edition of the car squarely aimed at private buyers, and that being the case, Skoda certainly chose the right engine. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol in the Rapid is remarkably quiet and smooth, yet at the same time torquey, economical and willing to rev.

It’s the kind of engine you’d defy anyone to find a reasonable fault with. At idle or a gentle cruise, all-but-noiseless – but responsive when called upon. Flatten the pedal and it’ll pull keenly, cleanly and consistently from well below 1500rpm until well above 5000rpm.

It’s the only engine in the Rapid range to be offered with a six-speed gearbox, so relative to the economy diesels it feels markedly more sprightly anyway. And, while 52mpg may sound quite run-of-the-mill, the Rapid Sport reproduces high-40s fuel-efficiency without trying. It may not overtake on the motorway with the utmost authority, but there aren’t many criticisms more serious than that you could level at it.

The 1.2 petrol is also 165kg lighter than 1.6-litre diesel ‘Greenline’ model – something likely to show in just about every dynamic dimension on the road. And it does. The Rapid Sport rides softly and quietly, with all the advantages and compromises implied by a basic, low-rate chassis specification. It’s compliant and unobtrusive, although can crash over severe ruts. It’s also untroubled by much in the way of damper control.

The Rapid’s body bobs about gently over its wheels, never running beyond a dependable sense of outright control, never undermining grip levels and seldom disturbing your comfort levels much - but rarely settling either. Steering is light, predictably paced, entirely monotone and empty of contact patch feel – but usable. The car is wieldy, and corners flatly and neatly enough. It feels more rudimentary than the chassis setup on, say, a Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus or Peugeot 308 – but a lot closer to those cars than to a Dacia Logan.