Rapid Spaceback Courtesy Car

Took my Fabia in for its 40k service and mangaed to get a Rapid Spaceback as a courtesy car. Was a 105 TSi with 6 speed.

Car felt extremely tight as had only done a few miles. The dash was really nice although there were a lot more switches than I am used too.

The engine had plenty of torque although it didnt have the grunt of my Fabia. I drove in excess of 60 miles in the car on a good mixture of roads. Motorway, dual carriage way and A roads. I drove in the same style as I would my Fabia and achieved 42 mpg. In my Fabia that would have been around 56 mpg. The 6 speed gearbox felt good and was easy to go from 6th to 3rd into roundabouts.

The stereo was good quality and I was impressed with the Amundsen sat nav, although it didnt have a recent bypass near Ramsgate in the system. Stated I was "off road".

There has been criticism of the trim quality and it was no better than my Fabia, especially the door cards.

I have to say that I wasnt overly impressed with it, it didnt provide me with a "wow" factor. I`d have to drive a diesel version for a true comparison. I felt it didnt prove much of a leap forward from my Fabia with the exception of the Amundsen etc.

Would I buy one? Only with a big discount. Although it has been compared with the Audi A3 it is nothing like an A3 or the presence, but it doesnt cost A3 money.