If you happen to know anyone who still makes jokes about Skodas please drag them into the 21st century.

It was 1991 when VW took control of Skoda and since then the Czech company has gone from strength to strength. The promise of great value, practicality and reliability has proven to be difficult to resist and sales are soaring. And no one’s laughing any more.

Production of the Rapid, which fills the gap between the Fabia supermini and Octavia, began in August 2012 and continues the theme of straightforward, honest, no-nonsense engineering.

From a design perspective that means few extravagances and, in basic trim at least, the Rapid is just on the wrong side of sensible. It was fortunate then, as I’m not a huge fan of sensible, that Skoda sent me the Rapid Sport 1.2 TSI which, in Candy White with black contrast mirrors, boot-lip spoiler and 17in diamond cut alloy wheels offers just a little more visual excitement.

Despite dwelling in the same class as its sister car from VW, the Golf, the Rapid sits on a development of the same platform that the Fabia sits on, rather than the MQB platform that underpins the Golf, Audi A3 and Seat Leon.

The interior is clean, inoffensive and solidly built. It’s clear that the focus was on functionality rather than fun but there’s an elegant simplicity to the cabin with its chunky controls, hard-to-the-touch plastics and large analogue dials that is oddly reassuring.

The sports seats are comfortable, the driving position adequate and the controls all within easy reach but, despite the budget appearance, be in no doubt that everything is built to last.

That doesn’t mean that the Rapid lacks the capacity to surprise. Walk round to the back of the car, pop open the boot and what you thought was a saloon turns out to be a hatchback. The big surprise, however, is the cavernous boot. It is massive. Huge. Buy one of these and there will be absolutely no need to leave the kitchen sink behind.

The large boot isn’t at the expense of passenger space either. There’s ample room for four adults to travel in reasonable comfort but carrying a fifth would be a bit of a squeeze.

It may have Sport in the name but, like its saloon-like profile, not everything is quite as it seems. The Rapid doesn’t quite live up to its billing with the 0 – 62mph dash taking 10.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 121mph.

The handling is middle of the road, safe and secure rather than edge of the seat thrills but the ride is comfortable and refinement is excellent for a car in this price bracket. Special mention goes to the gearbox, which is slick, accurate and belies its humble surroundings.

There’s a fair bit of kit included – Bluetooth connectivity, climate control and curtain airbags – but the sat nav is a £655 option and the tiny screen made it difficult for my fat fingers to hit the desired targets.

The special alloys and black contrast mirrors and spoiler add a little visual excitement on the outside, while the sports seats and generous equipment levels help give the interior a welcome lift. The handling is on the neutral side but the ride is quiet and comfortable and, of course, there’s the huge boot.

The Rapid Sport offers space and style at a price few rivals can match, and that’s no joke.

Skoda Rapid Sport 1.2 TSI

Price: £15,840

As tested: £16,925

Engine: 1.2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 104bhp

Torque: 130lbft @ 1,400rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Maximum speed: 121mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 10.3sec

Urban: 45.6mpg

Extra urban: 67.3mpg

Combined: 57.7mpg

Emissions (C02): 125g/km

For more information about Skoda cars click here.