Skoda Rapid Rider is shockingly good value for money

Very rarely does the launch of a new car generate as much noise and interest in the Indian market as the 'new' Skoda Rapid, launched alongside the all-new Karoq and the Superb facelift on 26th of May, has done. 

Don't let that prefix 'new' fool you though. All that's new in the Rapid is the 1.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, the sole power-train choice on offer at the moment. The mechanicals date back to the decade-old Volkswagen Vento while the external design is carried over from the 2017 facelift.

Why all this buzz then, you wonder? "Sticker shock", that's why! For those still wondering, it's the entry-level Rider variant's price tag that has got the whole industry, the critics and the potential customers talking.

Retailing at ₹7.49 Lakhs ex-showroom Chennai, the Rapid Rider's price tag is too good to be true!

With a modern turbo petrol mill and reasonable levels of equipment, this isn't one of those outdated 'bare-bones' variant for old-timers. In fact, the Rapid Rider presents itself as a legitimate alternative to similarly-priced higher variants of premium hatchbacks and compact sedans that are not as big, not as safe (barring a few) and not as sure-footed as the Skoda. Yes, you lose out on fancy LED lights, there is no touchscreen infotainment inside (click on the image above for the list of key features) and you can only have it in Candy White or Carbon Steel shades but there is no denying the incredible value-for-money this variant offers.

Here are some interesting facts:

• Rapid Rider is the most affordable turbo petrol car in the country. The sole turbo petrol variants of Hyundai's Grand i10 Nios and Aura as well as Volkswagen's own Polo - powered by the same 1.0-liter TSI engine as the Rapid across the range - are priced higher. All three cars are from a segment or two below. Enthusiasts out there, take note!
• Every one of Rapid's rivals from the segment have higher starting prices. While the Hyundai Verna starts at ₹9.30 Lakhs ex-showroom Chennai, Maruti-Suzuki Ciaz, Toyota Yaris and Honda City start at ₹8.32 Lakhs, ₹8.86 Lakhs and ₹10.13 Lakhs respectively. Rapid's twin from Volkswagen - the Vento - has its entry-level variant priced at ₹8.86 Lakhs. This is in total contrast to the Octavia that's the most expensive offering in its segment.
• Rapid Rider is priced lesser than many premium hatchbacks and compact sedans, let alone it's segment rivals. Even Maruti-Suzuki's Swift ZXi+ retails for ₹9,000 higher! Skoda has, quite literally, set the cat amongst the pigeons with this variant. 

So what are you waiting for? If you're in the market for a new car priced around ₹10 Lakhs, the Rapid Rider makes a very strong case for itself. Get one, spruce up the exteriors with some nice-looking alloys, add a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay inside and you should be all set with still a few thousands left in your budget. Ignore this at your own peril.

Skoda Kodiaq launched in India at ₹34.49 Lakhs

Hot on the heels of launching the powerful and sporty Octavia vRS, Czech car-maker Skoda is back with yet another all-new model for India, the Kodiaq. Unveiled late last year, the Kodiaq is the brand’s latest flagship, aiming to take advantage of the craze for high-riding SUVs and crossovers globally.

In India, Skoda has launched the Kodiaq in just one trim level - Style, priced at INR 34.49 Lakhs across the country. That puts it well above the Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Tiguan, two similar-sized monocoque 5-seater SUVs and the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour, two big-selling body-on-frame 7-seater SUVs. 

Powering the Kodiaq is the popular 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine that also does duty in a host of other cars in the Volkswagen Group. In this application, the engine churns out 148 horsepower and a substantial 340 Nm of torque delivered from as low as 1,750 rpm. Paired to the mill is a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. With five driving modes to choose from and standard All Wheel Drive system, the Kodiaq can take those occasional off-road jaunts in its stride.

Clean, crisp styling has now become a Skoda trait and the Kodiaq is no exception. A bigger and bolder butterfly grille up front is flanked by twin lights on either sides, a design trait Skoda has used in the Octavia as well. The tall hood with prominent central ridges give the Kodiaq an imposing stance which is carried on to the profile through the recessed shoulder line and flared, squared-off wheel arches adequately filled with 18-inch wheels. The rear is pleasing to the eye with the contoured tailgate and Skoda’s signature crystalline taillight clusters particularly impressive.

In typical Skoda fashion, the Kodiaq’s cabin eschews flashy styling for a simple yet functional layout with top-notch fit and finish. The dual-tone beige and grey cabin feature fake wood-like inserts, which adds a bit of flair and proves to be a nice contrast. Three rows of seats mean the Kodiaq is a 7-seater, albeit with restricted legroom and headroom for the two occupants in the third row.

Skoda has equipped the Kodiaq with a full suite of safety features that include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control, ‘IBUZZ’ Fatigue Detection System, ‘PARKTRONIC’ hands-free parking assist, all-round parking sensors with rear view camera and a total of nine airbags. Kudos Skoda, that's as comprehensive as it could get!

Befitting its status as the brand’s flagship, the Kodiaq gets features like three-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, electrically-controlled hands-free tailgate, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 10-speaker Canton sound system, Ambient Lighting offering 10 colour options, powered front seats with memory function, roller blinds for the rear windows and ‘Power Nap Package’ for the rear passengers. 

That's not all, there's more. 

What’s a Skoda without those nifty ‘Simply Clever’ features? The Kodiaq has a few up its sleeve like the umbrella holders in front doors with in-built drain function, the door edge protectors that pop out to protect the doors from damage when opening in congested parking lots and the magnetized LED torchlight that can come in handy while changing tyres in the dark and recharge automatically while the engine is running.

With such an extensive equipment list, space for seven and proven ride and handling Skodas are known for, the Kodiaq could be that one car that serves all the needs of a typical, well-heeled Indian family. But, has Skoda positioned the Kodiaq optimistically, thus hurting its chances? They have, we're afraid! Let's see if the market decides otherwise.

Skoda unveils Kodiaq, the brand's first large SUV

Czech automaker Skoda recently took the wraps off its all-new Kodiaq, the brand's first large SUV, at an event held in Berlin. Lining up above the Yeti in the lineup, the Kodiaq has the potential to do more than what the Yeti did in literally every aspect. Yes, the new Skoda SUV is not just bigger, it looks better, comes with three rows of seating and opens up new markets and target audience too. This, so, is a crucial model for Skoda.  

One aspect of current-generation Skodas that won the brand thousands of fans worldwide is their crisp styling that's accentuated in no small part by elegant detailing all around. The Kodiaq loses none of that.

Not all large SUVs are beautiful to look at but the Kodiaq sure is. The overhangs are just about the right length, the wheelbase isn't awkwardly long and there is none of that 'bulbousness' that seem to plague many of its peers. Giving it a distinct identity up front are its double-headlights that perfectly complement the trademark 'butterfly' grille with vertical slats. There are eye-catchy design elements all around - the muscular hood with central ridges, the recessed shoulder line, the snazzy alloy wheels and the contoured tailgate with multiple surfaces. Headlights and taillights get the typical 'crystalline' effect like all Skodas and look brilliant.

The interiors are typical European stuff with a functional layout that's devoid of flashy styling. Expect the build quality, fit and finish to be up there with the best as usual. Despite being just a tad longer than the Octavia, the Kodiaq appears to be a proper 7-seater with three rows of comfortable seating. The double horizontal lines, a theme successfully incorporated in the exterior design, is carried forward to the cabin as well. Remember the Skoda-branded umbrellas of the first-gen Superb that had their own storage slots in the rear doors? The Kodiaq has one such unique feature too. It's called 'door-edge protection' and it deploys automatically when opening the doors preventing the door edges from getting damaged.

A host of driver assistance systems like Tow Assist that automatically takes over steering when reversing with a trailer, Manoeurve Assist that automatically brakes when an obstacle is detected while reversing and Area View System that comes with wide-angle surround-view cameras are available for the first time in a Skoda. 

Engine options include the familiar 1.4 TSI, 2.0 TSI and the 2.0 TDI, with the smaller petrol and the diesel mills coming in two states of tune each. Apart from the 6-speed manual and the 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, a new 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission is making its debut at Skoda mated with the top-of-the-line TSI and TDI mills. An All-Wheel Drive system with electronically-controlled multi plate clutch is on offer too, which means the Kodiaq can take you off-road if needed.

We hear that the new Superb has got off to a flying start in several markets across the world and Skoda can't make enough of them. We know quite a few unhappy customers waiting for their Superbs right here in India too. When it goes on sale, expect the Kodiaq to pose more of the same challenges for Skoda, in India and abroad!