Welcome to Autodrivel

You might think that a Skoda Rapid NH is just a Fabia with a boot. But you’d be wrong. Skoda Rapid NH, a 75% Skoda Octavia. Skoda Rapid NH, the official car of the self-employed taxi driver.

Launched in 2012 because Skoda got tired of serving only two cars on the menu, the Skoda Rapid NH was an instant success. Like when you go to a restaurant and see a new dish on the menu that reminds you of the past, of better times. Skoda Rapid NH, the mushroom stew of the automotive world – an old recipe, reasonable in price but damn good.

The Skoda Rapid is part of that category of new cars with an old-fashioned feel. I’d put in the same category the Citroen C-Elysee and the Fiat Tipo, cars built in 2019 to 2004 standards. Nothing complicated, nothing fragile, everything is practical. And this is especially noticeable in the base versions.

Why choose a Skoda Rapid over a Skoda Octavia?

If you don’t have a huge family, the Skoda Rapid NH makes more sense. It’s cheaper, has smaller engines that perform much better than in the huge Octavia, it’s more agile, and offers almost the same space. Plus, it’s the only car in the trio that comes in a hatchback version, so you can also carry wardrobes with it. You don’t have to be Albert Ignatenko to see why this car is preferred by self-employed taxi drivers who want a more comfortable car than the Logan to take care of because only they will drive it and not share it with another 2000 colleagues.

Skoda Rapid NH Engines

Petrol

• 1.0 TSI EA211 of 95 and 110 horsepower – Launched in 2017, the 1.0 TSI engine has proven to be reliable but oil dependant. It’s perfectly capable in urban traffic, but it shows its limitations on b roads or when carrying wardrobes.


• 1.2 MPI EA211 of 75 horsepower – If you’re afraid of turbocharged petrol engines and the newest piece of technology in your house is a 2004 printer, then the naturally aspirated 1.2 MPI is for you. Atleast it’s slow enough so you won’t be able to keep up with the times. And make sure to stock up on oil and coil packs.


• 1.2 TSI EA111 and EA211 with 85, 90, 105, and 110 horsepower – Now that it has switched to a timing belt, this engine has become the favorite of taxi drivers. Issues are few and occasional, especially targeting the turbocharger, but the fact that this engine survives the taxi gauntlet says enough about its reliability.


• 1.4 TSI EA111 and EA211 of 122 and 125 horsepower – The 122 horsepower version is old-fashioned and comes with a timing chain and chain tensioner issues . In 2015 however the spectacular 125 horsepower version with a timing belt arrived because the Germans realized they weren’t good at timing chains. So, the 125-horsepower version is the one you want.

Diesel

• 1.4 TDI EA288 of 90 horsepower – The old 1.4 TDI receives the common-rail treatment and is more adapted to our days. Just as robust, just as economical, just as reliable. Pay attention, though, to the diesel particle filter.


• 1.6 TDI EA189 and EA288 of 105 horsepower – What was intended to be the successor to the 105 horsepower 1.9 TDI has turned out to be a relic of bygone days. Very sensitive to urban driving and decent in extra-urban conditions, if this engine covers more than 100 meters in the city it will have issues with the EGR valve, turbocharger, diesel particulate filter, and injectors failing. Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI – the official car of taxi drivers turned sales agents who aren’t good enough yet for an Octavia. Oh and the EGR can only be replaced, you can’t clean it.

Skoda Rapid NH Reliability Issues

• The DSG automatic gearbox re-enters the scene with various issues that range from the Mechatronic unit to not respecting the oil and filter change interval at 37,000 miles / 60,000 kms. Concerns are especially valid for older models.


• The simplicity of the interior plastics brings extra robustness but less comfort. Many people complain about the buzzing noise from the dashboard and the squeaking of the plastics, but maybe they’re just oversensitive people who don’t understand that for this money, you’ve got a robust workhorse, not a luxurious chariot. Anyway, take a ride in the car and see if the noise bothers you or not. 

Skoda Rapid NH Verdict

Skoda Rapid, Citroen C-Elysee and the Fiat Tipo show that you can still build old-fashioned cars in a modern world. These three cars show that there are still people who want something simple, robust, cheap, and no frills. And for them, these three cars are ready to offer the most spartan and hardworking cars on the market. Be careful though with the options list as the price could increase very quickly, especially with Skoda.

Which engine do I recommend? For petrol power I would recommend the belt-driven 125 horsepower 1.4 TSI engine, but most people have bought the 1.2 TSI engine and its successor, the 1.0 TSI, all three being quality engines but the 1.0 TSI does chugg down on oil. Unfortunately, us europeans know how to say “TDI” before saying “mom,” so most models come with the 1.6 TDI. Be careful with this engine because it’s more fragile in urban traffic than the self-esteem of a freshly graduated student who enters the job market for the first time and realizes that just a bachelor’s degree is not enough nowadays.