The Czech brand ŠKODA’s most popular models are the RAPID and Octavia liftbacks. Potential ŠKODA buyers often face a difficult choice: which is better: a basic OCTAVIA or a well-equipped RAPID. The advantages of both models are reviewed by the portal “Southern Automobile.”
Some might argue that comparing the OCTAVIA and RAPID is unfair, as they are cars from different classes. Indeed, the compact RAPID belongs to the B segment, while the OCTAVIA plays in the larger C segment, or the so-called “golf class.” However, when choosing a car from a Czech brand, potential buyers often wonder which to buy: the OCTAVIA or the RAPID. For comparison, the price of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA in the minimum configuration is 1,119,000 rubles, while the most expensive RAPID in Monte Carlo trim costs 1,157,000 rubles. Prices for the entry-level OCTAVIA and the top-of-the-line RAPID are practically identical. Having saved up a little over a million rubles, a potential buyer comes to a car dealership and faces a dilemma: what to choose: a smaller, but fully equipped car or a basic, but more prestigious model. Today we will tell you about the advantages of each car.
Appearance
Indeed, the OCTAVIA models have quite a lot in common. Let’s start with the fact that both models are presented on the Russian market in a liftback body style. Moreover, the OCTAVIA is also available in our country as a station wagon, while the RAPID is offered exclusively as a liftback. When comparing the liftback models, the contours of both cars are similar, especially when viewed in profile. Before the restyling, the OCTAVIA and RAPID were as similar as twins.
Inexperienced drivers in city traffic previously couldn’t even tell the difference between the Octavia and the RAPID. To visually differentiate these two models, designers during the latest restyling had to give the OCTAVIA a design with four headlights. This made it easier to tell the two cars apart. When looking at the cars frontally, in profile and from the rear, the OCTAVIA is wider, longer and higher than the RAPID.
The hood, radiator grille and mirror shape are designed in the same style. The younger brother of the RAPID is very similar to its older sister OCTAVIA, with the only difference being that the latter seems more daring and aggressive. From the side, the situation is the same as at the front. A smooth, sloping domed roof, convex wheel arches, large doors, wide windows.
At the same time, on the RAPID, you can notice an additional stamping on the doors, which gives the car originality. If you tape the model name on the trunk, an inexperienced person will definitely not distinguish the RAPID from the OCTAVIA. The sloping fifth door opens along with the license plate and window on both cars. The OCTAVIA can be identified from the rear only by its slightly elongated taillights and additional red reflectors along the bottom of the bumper. The design of the rear lighting on both cars is similar.
Interior
When it comes to interior space and trunk capacity, the RAPID naturally loses to the OCTAVIA. Thanks to its wider wheelbase, the OCTAVIA’s interior is roomier, but it’s also not cramped inside the RAPID. Two adult men of average build will feel comfortable on its back seat. The center console of the cars is practically identical, and it is truly difficult to tell the interiors apart. With the exception of size, everything is designed in a unified style. Information from the instrument panels is easy to read. The three-spoke leather multifunction steering wheels are absolutely identical. Top-of-the-line trims can be equipped with flat-bottomed sports steering wheels.
The seats in both cars provide a comfortable grip, and several trim options are available. The only difference is that the OCTAVIA offers its future owners a choice of leather as well as faux suede. The RAPID will have a combination interior, but only a fabric one.
The overall interior architecture, seats, instrument panel, and multifunction steering wheel all display precisely calibrated ergonomics. While the RAPID boasts cruise control, a rearview camera, and parking sensors among its driver assistance systems, the top-of-the-line OCTAVIA models feature active cruise control, lane keeping assist, BlindSpotDetect, Front Assist, and RearTrafficAlert. Top-of-the-line OCTAVIA models can also be equipped with a fully electronic instrument cluster. The RAPID features only analog tachometer and speedometer dials with an LCD display for the trip computer between them. The OCTAVIA also offers features not found even on the top-of-the-line RAPID, including power side mirrors, a cooled glovebox, voice control, a volume sensor, and side curtain airbags.
In terms of interior design, the RAPID and OCTAVIA differ only in small details. Many of the control buttons are actually identical. The RAPID’s plastic is slightly simpler, although it’s hardly noticeable from the outside.
There’s no need to get used to anything—as the saying goes, just get in, adjust, and go. The seats in both models are well-profiled, with firm, but not hard, padding. The driver’s seat in both the RAPID and OCTAVIA is height-adjustable, while the steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and reach, across all trim levels. The only difference is that the top-of-the-line OCTAVIA seats are electrically adjustable, while the RAPID only features manual adjustments.
In terms of cargo compartment capacity, the RAPID and OCTAVIA are leaders in their classes. Whichever car you choose, you’ll have no problems transporting luggage. The trunk of the entry-level model holds 530 or 1,470 liters, depending on the position of the rear seatbacks. The senior version allows for a payload capacity of 588 or 1,718 liters.
Engines and transmissions
The base engine for the ŠKODA RAPID is the 1.6 MPI, a 1.6-liter petrol engine. In Russia, naturally aspirated engines with distributed injection are popular: they are fairly simple in design, reliable, and not too picky about fuel quality. The 1.6 MPI engine is available in two versions: 90 hp and 110 hp. For those who “like it hot,” the RAPID is offered with a 1.4 TSI engine, which produces 125 hp and excellent torque characteristics — 200 Nm across a wide rev range. This engine fully reveals the superbly tuned chassis of the car and is also very economical, for which we can say thanks to the combination of two technologies: direct fuel injection and turbocharging. A 5-speed manual transmission is available for the RAPID with the 1.6 MPI engine (90/100 hp). A 6-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission is available as an alternative to the manual for the 1.6 MPI engine (110 hp), which boasts outstanding efficiency for this type of transmission. In the top-of-the-line RAPID, the 1.4 engine is paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic. The ŠKODA OCTAVIA engine lineup consists of four-cylinder gasoline units. The 1.6 MPI (110 hp) is the same as the RAPID. The OCTAVIA also offers a 1.4 TSI engine with 150 hp. However, the RAPID with these engines feels much more dynamic than the larger model. This is due to its lighter weight. The most powerful engine offered for the OCTAVIA is the 1.8 TSI with 180 hp. Depending on the engine model, the car can be equipped with a five- or six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, or a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Prices and trim levels
The main advantage of the RAPID is its affordable price. The minimum cost of the liftback in the Active trim level is 797,000 for the version with a 1.6 engine and manual transmission. At the same time, a well-equipped car with a 90-horsepower engine and manual transmission in the Style trim level can be purchased for 995,000 rubles. Today, the RAPID looks like the most attractive purchase in the segment of cars up to a million rubles. The most expensive RAPID, with a 1.4 TSI engine producing 125 hp, will cost at least 1,136,000 rubles and will feature virtually everything a modern car should have. As for the OCTAVIA, the entry-level Active trim, with the same 110 hp engine and manual transmission as the RAPID, will cost at least 1,119,000 rubles. In fact, the difference between the top-of-the-line RAPID and the entry-level OCTAVIA is only 17,000 rubles. However, the entry-level OCTAVIA will not include the multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, dynamic engine, and many other useful features found in the top-of-the-line RAPID. Of course, if you need a larger car or a station wagon, the OCTAVIA is the obvious choice. However, if you want the most fully equipped OCTAVIA with a 180 hp 1.8 TSI engine, expect to pay at least 1,578,000 rubles. (Prices are current at the time of publication)
The Agony of Choice
Of course, choosing between these two cars is quite difficult. For just over a million, you can get the top-of-the-line RAPID, which you can drive and enjoy its numerous options. The car has good handling, a spacious backseat, and trunk. As for the Octavia, its base version will certainly look more prestigious and respectable than the top-of-the-line RAPID, but it won’t impress with a wealth of options. A good OCTAVIA in the middle trim will cost approximately 1.3-1.4 million rubles. Ultimately, it will all come down to the amount of money you are willing to spend on the car and the features it offers. One thing is certain: neither car will disappoint you in its everyday configuration. And if you prefer the RAPID, you have the opportunity to further grow within the brand. After driving the top-end RAPID for some time, you will definitely want to buy the top-end OCTAVIA in the future.
ŠKODA AAA MOTORS CENTER
Rostov-on-Don, Teatralny Avenue, 60B/341
tel.: +7 (863) 305-00-00
www.aaamotors-skoda.ru
