For 50k Extra, The New Skoda Rapid Rider Plus Is A Steal For What It Offers!

Note: Image used for representational purposes only

• Skoda Rapid Rider Plus is Rs 50,000 more expensive than the standard Rider.
• It now features a touchscreen infotainment system, and body decals.
• Offered in two new colour options: Brilliant Silver and Toffee Brown.
• Powered by the 110PS 1.0-litre TSI engine with a manual gearbox.
• Pricing puts it in the ballpark of sub-4 metre sedans and premium hatchbacks.

Most of you eyeing the Rapid Rider must be put off that Skoda has halted bookings for this variant. Its price tag undercut various cars from the lower segment, therefore racking up incredible demand. Now though, the carmaker has surprised us with the new Skoda Rapid Rider Plus edition which is priced at Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom), making it Rs 50,000 more expensive than the standard Rider edition. Here’s where it sits in the Rapid’s lineup:

*Introductory pricing

The Rider Plus is priced Rs 50,000 more than the standard Rapid Rider. However, it’s still Rs 2 lakh cheaper than the Ambition and a full Rs 3.8 lakh less expensive than the top-spec Monte Carlo variant. 

Before we jump into the details, let’s get a point clear. This variant will not replace the base-spec Rider edition. Moreover, if you’ve booked a Skoda Rapid Rider edition and are waiting for your new car, you can upgrade to this new Rider Plus variant. 

So how does the Rider Plus differentiate itself from the Rider?

For starters, it gets minor cosmetic enhancements such as body decals on either sides and a trunk lid garnish. You also get two new colour options to choose from: Brilliant Silver and Toffee Brown along with the existing Candy White and Carbon Steel options. 

Note: Image used for representational purposes only

Inside, the Rider Plus features a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other new features include scuff plates. Carryover features from the base-spec Rider include climate control, remote locking, power windows and electrically-adjustable ORVMs. Safety features consist of dual airbags, ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors. 

Powering the Skoda Rider Rider Plus is the familiar 110PS 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine which comes paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. You can read how it performs in our first drive review. 

The Rider Plus still misses out on features like projector headlamps, steering mounted audio controls, alloy wheels and a few leather interior bits, all of which are found in the Ambition variant (Rs 9.99 lakh). But for Rs 2 lakhs less, this variant is incredible value for money and still undercuts vehicles from a segment below. You can also use that extra money to build your Rapid with aftermarket alloy wheels or performance upgrades. That said, if you still had your eyes set at the Ambition variant, Skoda is currently running an exchange scheme where it’ll offer this particular variant at a lower price. 

Note: Image used for representational purposes only

Though the Rapid Rider Plus sits in the compact sedan segment rivalling the Honda City and Hyundai Verna, its pricing puts it in the ballpark of subcompact sedans and premium hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Ford Aspire, Hyundai Aura, Honda Amaze, Tata Altroz and Maruti Suzuki Baleno.