Volkswagen Vento diesel auto vs Skoda Rapid Diesel auto comparison

We are being asked with increasing frequency about the Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid and which of them is the better buy. Indian customers have grown wise to these badge-engineered cars and know that the cars themselves are not really all that different, and that their choice, as a result, is 90 percent subjective. But what about that 10 percent? Because consumers have wisened up, Skoda and VW have had to make sure their cars stand out from each other. So while the mechanicals may be the same, there are a number of subtle differences which, well, could make the difference when it’s time to sign that cheque. Today we’re going to see what those differences are, and what better time to revisit this pair than now – each has been given a light update as well as a new diesel engine paired to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. 

 

In the showroom

 

First, here’s a quick timeline of what’s changed with these cars recently. Skoda updated the Rapid last year with a new steering wheel, new badging, new bootlid and the addition of projector headlamps. As a result, the only changes to this year’s car are the new engine and gearbox, and a bit more equipment. There’s also the ‘Black Pack’ equipped on our test car that paints the headlamp and fog lamp enclosures, grille and wing mirrors black, and gets new black alloy wheels too. The Vento is a little more complicated, as this is actually its second facelift since launch. The last one brought blackened headlamps, new alloy wheels and the brilliant 1.2 TSI variant. This time around, things are more comprehensive. Aside from the new diesel engine, there’s new trim colours, steering wheel, headlamps, trip computer and alloy wheels. 

 

If you were able to wrap your head around all of that, let’s see how it all actually comes together on the cars. While the Rapid (especially in red paint with the Black Pack) looks sportier, it’s the Vento’s new look that is more upmarket. The new alloy wheels and headlamps are classy, the subtle use of chrome works really well and in this shade of brown especially, it looks more like a mini-Jetta, and that’s a good thing. 

 

 

It’s more of the same when you step inside, and VW has managed to give its interior the more premium look. In here, the design of almost every single element is almost exactly the same, but it’s the subtle differences in colour and materials that set one apart from the other. For instance, Skoda has given the Rapid chrome door handles and surrounds for the air-con vents, whereas in the Vento, they’re a softer brushed aluminium. Both cars get a dual-tone, brown and beige dash; but while the VW gets a neat matte-silver finish for its centre console, the Skoda sticks with dull grey plastic. Then there are the steering wheels – the Rapid’s new, three-spoke wheel feels chunky and great to hold, but VW’s new flat-bottomed wheel, with its dull chrome and black plastic, just feels that little bit nicer. We even prefer the Vento’s metal-clad gearlever to the Rapid’s rather plain plastic one. All this is strictly up to your preferences, though. What’s more objective, however, is the equipment lists on these top-spec cars, which also have subtle differences. Skoda has one-upped VW by offering cruise control on the Rapid, which can be handy out on the expressway and the projector beam headlamps are a nice premium touch too. However, the ticket holder on the dashboard isn’t as good to use as it looks and seems a bit of a gimmick. 

 

 

In comparison, buying the top Vento gets you leather upholstery, which fits with its more premium image; the Rapid is fabric-upholstered only. Interestingly, Skoda seems to have done away with the lever on the front passenger seat that allows rear passengers to free up more legroom, while the Vento still has it. Staying on the subject of seats, they are, of course, the same in both cars, but Skoda’s fabric-only seats seem to be just slightly more softly cushioned than the Volkswagen’s.

The seats themselves are very generous and supportive with good legroom all round, but can’t match the Honda City, which is the current benchmark for seat comfort.