Cobalt II vs Rapid I: which is better?
Chevrolet Cobalt II (2011–2016) vs Skoda Rapid I (2012–2020): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Skoda Rapid ISpecifications
| Chevrolet Cobalt II | Skoda Rapid I | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2011–2016 | 2012–2020 |
| Body | sedan | liftback |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 1.5 (B15D2) | 1.6 |
| Power, up to | 106 hp | 110 hp |
| Torque, up to | 134 Nm | 155 Nm |
| Gearbox | manual | automatic |
| Drive | front-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| 0–100 km/h, from | 11,7 s | — |
| Consumption, from | 6,5 L/100 km | — |
| Length | 4 479 mm | 4 483 mm |
| Width | 1 735 mm | 1 706 mm |
| Height | 1 514 mm | 1 461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 620 mm | 2 602 mm |
| Ground clearance | 155 mm | 170 mm |
| Curb weight | 1 168 kg | — |
| Fuel tank | 47 L | 55 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 8 650 ₸ | ≈ 13 675 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Chevrolet Cobalt II
Pros
- Local assembly: Uzbekistan
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- GM B15D2 engine (1.5, Cobalt/Nexia): valve cover gasket leak
- GM 6T30/6T40/6T45 etc. gearbox: 3-5-R clutch pack wave spring failure (6T40/6T45)
Engine (GM B15D2 (1.5, Cobalt/Nexia)): valve cover gasket leak; timing belt wear; hydraulic lifter tapping when cold.
Gearbox (GM 6T30/6T40/6T45, etc.): broken wave spring in the 3-5-R clutch pack (6T40/6T45); jerks when the valve body wears.
Skoda Rapid I
Pros
- Japanese Aisin automatic
- Local assembly: Russia
Cons
- Engine VW 1.6 MPI (CFNA, CWVA): cold piston slap
- Gearbox Aisin 09G (VW 6-speed automatic): harsh 2–3 and 3–4 shifts
Engine (VW 1.6 MPI (CFNA, CWVA)): piston slap when cold; oil consumption on early engines.
Gearbox (Aisin 09G (VW 6-speed automatic)): shocks on 2–3 and 3–4 shifts; valve body and solenoid wear.
Which one to choose
- Cobalt II — if you care more about: wheelbase, kz tax 2026.
- Rapid I — if you care more about: power, torque, ground clearance, fuel tank.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Cobalt II or Rapid I?
Cobalt II: up to 106 hp, Rapid I: up to 110 hp.
Which has more ground clearance?
Cobalt II: 155 mm, Rapid I: 170 mm.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Cobalt II — about 8 650 ₸, Rapid I — about 13 675 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.