I've got a rapid today as a courtesy car while my yeti's air con gets fixed (again). I have to say I'm quite impressed, with one exception. The rear view visibility seems really restricted to me. I actually thought the parcel shelf was stuck too high but no it seems to be the way it is. 

 

So have any Rapid owners found this to be an issue? Interested to hear as I think the Rapid may be a contender next time I change car.

Compared to the Yeti it's worse as you sit lower, but to me it's similar to most modren family cars that have fairly big C pillars.

Yeah, I used to drive the new ford focus and it has the same "problem". It's a matter of getting used to it too, I think!

it's not the pillars, it was the boot or the high level of the bottom edge of the rear window. Just seemed like a tiny window.

From a low seating position it seems to have a high bum?

I think the Octavia hatch is even worse for rear visibility -you just get used to it and take extra time to check during manoeuvres, changing lanes etc.  

imho, this is the price for having a 5th door. if it was a 4door sallon the rear window would provide better visibility.

i find what you say to be a fact, but it doesn't bother me at all, especially since i was used in driving much more "claustrophobic" cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, it's not great in this respect - similar to the Octy1 I used to have except the Rapid has parking sensors which makes things somewhat easier.

 

The Spaceback maybe better in this area, including around the C pillars.

ditto RapidRonnie - the Spaceback version will be easier to see out of and judge the rear end. PS saw a red Rapid driving home today - looked stunning, especially from the rear and with the tail lights on.

I'd be astonished if the Spaceback didn't have a larger view port out the back.

 

It's definitely a restricted view through the rear view mirror but I can't say that it causes me any issues day to day (It is tempting to have rear parking sensors retrofitted though, as a just-in-case measure)

Gotta say, after the first few weeks driving the Rapid, I really wished I'd gone for parking sensors. That said, afte driving a jumbo panel van for City Link for a month, it put things into perspective, and in the end, you do get used to it and often develop a bit of a sixth sense when reversing with it.

Thank god for parking sensors

when I took it back to collect the yeti I sat in a Mk III Octy and it's not as limited as the Rapid. Probably just a bit of a contrast to the yeti that's all.

 

I have to say I was very impressed with the Rapid, though my wife described it as "naff" and "an old man's car". :think:  

'Thank god for parking sensors' - ditto - especially if a child runs out behind you in a supermarket car park. 'An old man's car' - not the red one with nice alloys I saw when I was driving home the other day - and we haven't even started on the Spaceback with tinted roof, hatch and black alloys....

The parcel shelf doesn't seem to lie flat but has a lift where it sits against the rear door.  I noticed that as soon as I test drove mine, thought it wasnt pushed down far enough  but it seems thats the shape of it.

Precisely what I thought was wrong. Mine was just a courtesy car though so I just took it home, ran a couple of errands and then took it back at the end of the day. I wouldn't buy one like that but am awaiting the spaceback with interest