Skoda Roomster 2 1.9 TDI

August 2006

	Access to the boot is excellent, and although it can’t compete with the huge load space offered by the Berlingo, the Roomster still provides a very useful luggage area – 450 litres with the seats up

Unfortunately, the proportions don’t quite work – and the end result is that the rear of the car looks taller than it actually is. The Skoda is also the longest of the three models on test, although thanks to short overhangs and a wheel-in-each-corner design it hides this well.

The L-shaped rear door allows lots of headroom, while there are plenty of useful storage cubbyholes throughout the cabin. Access to the boot is excellent, and although it can’t compete with the huge load space offered by the Berlingo, the Roomster still provides a very useful luggage area – 450 litres with the seats up. Stowing the chairs frees up a maximum capacity that’s more than triple this figure, and doing so is a very simple process thanks to the clever VarioFlex system. This sees the seats fold with one handle and then tumble with the pull of another.

The two outer rear chairs slide as well, so we think it’s unusual that the centre one is fixed in place. However, the benefit is that with three passengers in the back, shoulder room is in plentiful supply. Rear occupants will find the Roomster the most comfortable of our test trio.

Up front, the driving environment is equally good. You sit low and the steering wheel offers adjustment for both reach and rake. Our biggest gripe concerns rear visibility – the huge D-pillars make reverse parking a challenge, and it’s easy to lose cyclists behind them.

The materials used on the dashboard raise the quality benchmark in this sector, and the fit and finish are good enough to rival premium brands. The only minor criticisms are the flimsy door handles and clumsy heater controls, but overall the interior is streets ahead of the competition.

What’s more, despite its supermini-MPV looks, the Skoda is the most car-like vehicle to drive. It feels reassuring and the wide track ensures it has predictable steering and excellent stability on the move. It rides better than the Note and Berlingo, while the steering set-up offers the most feedback here. Performance won’t exactly set pulses racing, yet it’s adequate. The well proven 1.9-litre TDI engine isn’t the most modern oil-burner on the market – the fact that the Skoda was the loudest car during our noise meter tests is the biggest giveaway. But at the test track, the Roomster was the quickest in the sprint from 0-60mph and had the best in-gear flexibility times. This makes it an excellent motorway cruiser – even with a full com­plement of people and luggage aboard.

At £13,050, the Skoda is £55 more expensive than the Note, so it’s priced competitively against the other contenders here. And although it’s costly when compared to the Berlingo, the difference in quality between the two is enormous.

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