Toyota Yaris has been making waves in the auto industry even before its launch and the word is the dealers have already started accepting bookings for the Japanese debut in the segment. While the Toyota Yaris might not be as big a threat to Maruti Suzuki Ciaz but it certainly wants to place itself as a more luxurious offering on a budget, something the Honda City and Skoda Rapid have been doing too. While the Ciaz is a newer car in the segment, Honda on the other hand has been giving frequent updates to the City. Skoda too has launched a 2018 Edition of its entry level C-Segment Sedan Rapid to help it stay relevant when the Toyota Yaris launches in the market.
Skoda Rapid Gets New Features To Take On The Toyota Yaris
Skoda Rapid 2018 Edition is not exactly a facelift but certainly comes with added features over the existing model. Toyota Yaris is one desirable looking car and nobody can deny that. To counter the incoming competition the Rapid now gets a sportier looking stance. There are two color options available – Red and White both with a generous black inserts. The most prominently standing out change is the roof which is now blacked out along with the exterior side view mirrors. Another thing making it to the list are the new black alloy wheels which certainly make the potential Toyota Yaris buyers look this way.
Coming to the inside, the first thing you notice in the Skoda Rapid 2018 Edition is the steering wheel with a flat bottom which certainly feels sportier over the one we get in the Toyota Yaris. The red stitching helps take things a notch higher and definitely looks more premium. To match the stance on the outside the insides too get red inserts on the seats. The conventional touch screen with MirrorLink support has been upgraded with Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity. Although a more premium set of cars like Innova Crysta and Hexa have been giving this feature a miss we expect Toyota Yaris to come with all the bells and whistles.
Mechanically the Skoda Rapid will remain the same and will use the critically acclaimed 1.6-litre MPI petrol engine that makes 105PS of power. Unlike the Toyota Yaris, Skoda Rapid 2018 Edition will continue to offer the 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine which returns a power output of 110PS. Automatic options will be available on both the petrol and diesel power trains. Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Toyota Yaris all come with an option of automatic transmission.
Skoda Rapid Price in India
The new Skoda Rapid 2018 Edition has officially entered the Toyota Yaris territory with a price of 13.92 Lakh Rupees. To take on the competition Skoda is also offering the new Rapid 2018 Edition with zero down payment. This makes it a compelling offer combined with the 4% interest rate which makes the total EMI to 12,999 Rupees. The Czech Car Manufacturer has always had a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to financing the car. The Toyota Yaris on the other hand is expected to launch at a price of 9 Lakh Rupees going all the way up to 14 Lakhs in India.