Review of the new Skoda Roomster Range

One day, back in the late 1990s, some bright spark caught sight of an ordinary small van. He noted its spacious loadbay, considered its robust construction and appreciated its affordable price. Then he wondered what would happen if such a van were converted into an MPV. With that spark of inspiration, the van-based MPV was born. It became a popular format too, many manufacturers tried their hand with varying degrees of success and then Skoda came along. The Czech maker didn't have a small van to convert so, not wanting to be left out, they built the Roomster - the first van-based MPV-sector competitor that isn't, well, based on a van.

It's an interesting tactic but it makes sense when you think about it. The collection of van-based MPVs that are out there - think Citroen Berlingo Multispace, Fiat Doblo or Renault Kangoo - have enjoyed high levels of success thanks to their generous interior space, competitive pricing and general simplicity but they're all ultimately scuppered by their rough 'n' ready commercial vehicle origins. In the Roomster, Skoda have a vehicle that displays the key advantages of a van-based model but without the drawbacks of harsh ride, poor refinement and industrial interiors.

In fairness to the Roomster, it's considerably more than a mere van-based MPV. Skoda have recognised the strengths of this commercial vehicle derived genre and designed a purpose-built product around them. The Roomster is a car of two halves - or 'rooms' as the Skoda PR machine would have us refer to them. The 'Driving Room' is the area occupied by the driver and front passenger and it feels very much like that of a conventional family hatchback. The driving position is comfortable, with a good degree of adjustment and much less upright than in most MPV products. Quality materials have also been used and build quality is strong.

As you progress rearward, you enter the Roomster's 'Living Room' and it's here that the vehicle's van-like silhouette pays dividends. The roofline steps up, allowing the rear seats to be mounted 46mm higher than those in the front: this boosts the space available to passengers. Leg and headroom are both extremely generous and there's a light, airy feel to the space thanks to the large windows. An optional panoramic glass roof increases this effect with Skoda pointing out that children become bored more quickly if they don't have a good view of the scenery.

"To go with its car-like driving position, the Roomster also delivers impressively car-like handling"

The rear seating has also been thoughtfully designed. All three sections of the rear bench are individually foldable and removable. They also recline as well as sliding fore and aft so that owners can choose either to maximise passenger legroom or to bump up capacity in the extremely generous boot behind. This boot is accessed through a large tailgate which lifts to reveal a capacity of 450 litres. Then, depending on the position of the rear seats, owners have the option of increasing that cargo space right up to a truly van-like 1,780 litres - which is achieved when all three seats are positioned in the garage at home. All this helps to open up a wide range of potential interior configurations for the Roomster - a real strength when it comes to meeting the varying needs of modern families.

Skoda have laid-on six engines for buyers to choose from and these are equally split between petrol and diesel. The petrol range opens with a 70bhp 1.2-litre unit, then there's an 85bhp 1.4 and a 105bhp 1.6. The three-cylinder 1.2-litre is more capable than you would expect given its size and will be quite adequate for many family buyers. If you plan on undertaking longer journeys, the 1.4 may be a better option with its 132Nm torque output at 3,800rpm. The 1.6 feels more muscular still with 155Nm produced at the same engine speed.

The diesels with their superior fuel economy are where a lot of the smart money will go but, as always, they're priced at a sizable premium, so make sure you're going to cover enough mileage to recoup this extra outlay at the pumps. Many will also prefer the more relaxed driving characteristics of the oil-burners, however, with the 70 and 80bhp 1.4-litre three-cylinder options producing torque figures of 155Nm and 195Nm respectively. The 80bhp model can also manage a superb 54.3mpg average fuel economy return. The range-topping engine is the 1.9-litre TDI and here you get 105bhp and a sizable 240Nm torque rating. All the engines get a 5-speed gearbox with an optional six-speed auto 'box available for the more powerful petrol versions.

To go with its car-like driving position, the Roomster also delivers impressively car-like handling. Despite the high roofline at the rear, it resists body roll admirably and the general ride quality is far superior to van-based MPV rivals. It stays nice and quiet when you're on the move as well, with only limited wind and road noise finding its way inside.

There's no doubt that, with its composed handling and clever interior, the Roomster is a far more sophisticated proposition than your typical van-based MPV but it's priced accordingly. The basic price of around £10,000 for a 1.2-litre model in base Roomster 1 trim looks attractive enough but the range-topping Roomster 3 car stretches to over £14,000. All derivatives look well-equipped, however, with air-conditioning, front, curtain and side airbags, body-coloured bumpers and an MP3-compatible CD stereo. The top Roomster 3 derivatives really pile it on, adding the panoramic glass roof, parking sensors and cruise control amongst other items. The other option is the Roomster Scout which piles on the off-roader design cues to create a more imposing air. It's not four-wheel-drive though.

Skoda has never been a byword for design innovation but the Roomster certainly stands out amongst the well-engineered but rather ordinary models that make up the rest of this manufacturer's line-up. The van-based MPV concept has always had definite strengths as well as some pronounced drawbacks but the Roomster manages to retain the positive aspects while smoothing over the rough edges and adding a generous dose of extra versatility. The unorthodox styling and clever cabin mean that, at last, we could be looking at a Skoda that you buy with your heart as well as your head. Taking the van out of the van-based MPV equation could prove to be a masterstroke.

TOP 5 ROOMSTER DEALS

The results below show the top ROOMSTER deals on buyacar

Skoda Roomster 1.4 TDI PD 80 SE 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £12,195 Click for a Roomster Review	Save £1,700
Skoda Roomster 1.9 TDI PD SE 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £12,722 Click for a Roomster Review	Save £1,793
Skoda Roomster 1.4 16V S 5dr Estate
Price £10,202 Click for a Roomster Review	Save £1,343
Skoda Roomster 1.9 TDI PD Scout 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £13,270 Click for a Roomster Review	Save £1,890
Skoda Roomster 1.6 16V S 5dr Tiptronic Estate
Price £11,154 Click for a Roomster Review	Save £1,506