When you hear or read the name of this car, the first question you may ask might be along the lines of ‘what the heck is a Spaceback?’ Well, the Skoda Rapid Spaceback is designed like a hatchback, but confusingly, the standard Rapid is also technically a hatchback… which looks like a saloon.

However, while the original Rapid has a saloon-esque shape to it, the back of the Spaceback arches in a way that makes it look more like a traditional hatchback, though you could argue it looks more like an estate. Still, rather than being compared to the likes of the Mazda3 fastback or Volkswagen Jetta, the Spaceback is more comparable styling-wise to big-hitters like the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

Taking on the likes of the Focus, Astra and Golf is no enviable task, and although the name may lead you to think otherwise, the Spaceback is actually less practical than the original version of the Rapid.

So what does the Skoda Rapid Spaceback bring to the table then? Well it’s still one of the most practical family hatchbacks on the market for starters. Also, if you pick the range-topping SE Sport trim which we tested, you also get a distinctive panoramic glass sunroof which covers nearly all of the top of the car.

Performance

We tested the Rapid Spaceback SE Sport with the 89bhp 1.4-litre TDI diesel engine. It’s one of three engines available when picking the Spaceback in this particular trim. A DSG automatic gearbox is available for this specific unit but we tried the standard five-speed manual ‘box instead. This is no issue though, because like other modern Skodas, the gear changes feel slick.

But what about the engine itself? Well, it’s a three-cylinder unit which might sound a bit scary for a 1.4-litre diesel, but it’s a decent little unit. From a standstill it can feel a little reluctant and grumbles a fair bit, but once you’re up to speed the 230Nm of torque kicks in and it feels quite perky.

The 0-62mph sprint time of 11.6 seconds is unremarkable but pure speed isn’t likely to matter to family hatchback buyers.

Ride and Handling

On rougher roads, the Spaceback doesn’t soak up large bumps as well as some other hatchbacks, but small bumps barely register.

The suspension set-up of the Rapid Spaceback delivers a generally smooth ride that feels well suited for motorway travels. On rougher roads, the Spaceback doesn’t soak up large bumps as well as some other hatchbacks, but small bumps barely register. Steering is both light and precise, but it could do with having a bit more weight before we’d feel comfortable driving it in a more enthusiastic manner. In terms of grip and handling, this car certainly feels competent but it’s not as engaging as class-leading hatchbacks like the Golf, Astra or Focus. But if you’re just looking for gentle family transport, then you may not even care about this last point.

Interior and Equipment

The Rapid Spaceback comes with an ice scraper stored in the fuel tank flap, which is protected from theft as it can only be accessed when the car is unlocked.

We mentioned earlier that the Spaceback isn’t as practical as the original, saloon-like Rapid, and that’s referring to the boot space which has been reduced from 550 litres to 415 litres. But that’s still pretty big and convincingly beats the established hatchback names. Skodas don’t have the fanciest of interiors and the Spaceback is no exception. However, the SE Sport trim does offer some neat detailing on the seats and steering wheel and the layout of the whole interior is logical and user-friendly. Head and legroom is decent for front and rear passengers and with the SE Sport you also get a large tinted panoramic glass roof which makes this car stand out more from the competition. It gives you a clear view of your surroundings when you’re reverse parking and it can make the view more interesting for passengers in the back. As it’s the range-topper, this particular Spaceback comes with loads of kit including sat-nav, DAB radio, cruise control, climate control, sport seats and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Cost

It emits just 94g/km of CO2, meaning free Vehicle Excise Duty, and the official combined fuel economy if 78.5mpg. Getting over 60mpg is realistic in real-world driving.

If running costs are a major concern, then this three-cylinder diesel is the engine to go for in the Spaceback’s range. It emits just 94g/km of CO2, meaning free Vehicle Excise Duty, and the official combined fuel economy if 78.5mpg. Getting over 60mpg is realistic in real-world driving. The Spaceback starts at just under £14,000 but the range-topping SE Sport bumps the price up to nearly £17,000. That sort of pricing is only a little more than an entry-level Focus or mid-level Astra and undercuts a similarly-equipped Golf by a few grand.

Our Verdict

Like a lot of other Skodas, the Rapid Spaceback looks quite understated, but the big glass roof and sporty alloy wheels found on the SE Sport version do add a bit of character. Even if those details don’t leave much of an impression, what matters is that this car does everything you’d expect from a family car. It’s practical, well-equipped (especially in this trim), frugal and drives comfortably in most situations. What holds this car back is its lack of fun-factor, which is more apparent on rivals like the Focus and Golf. If this doesn’t bother you though and you’re looking for a competitively-priced option, then the Rapid Spaceback should not be overlooked.