This special edition of the Rapid is practical, refined, decent to drive and even better value – but still wilfully short on desirability
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.