2008 Skoda Roomster 1.6 Review

RRP: $29,290 (auto)
Price as tested: $32,420 (metallic paint $420, panoramic roof $1690, roof rails $330, park distance control $690)
Crash rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP)
Fuel: unleaded
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 7.7
CO2 emissions (g/km): 167
Also consider: Mitsubishi Lancer ES Wagon, Renault Scenic, Volkswagen Caddy Life

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

Remember those 1980s-era concepts where you would purchase a cabin and powertrain then back up to a ute, van or people-carrying module depending on your immediate requirements? The Skoda Roomster looks like one, with the front section of a small passenger car plugged into a load module -- an impression reinforced by the long wheelbase, different side window line and the extreme rearward placement of the back wheels. Although this is its permanent state, this is the exact principle on which the Roomster is based.

It drives like the stretched light car that it is. But unlike the early Holden Barina van and the current VW Caddy, which look similar but have 'trailer' axles under their rear section, the Roomster at least drives as if both halves belong to the same car.

In fact, it is one of the few of its type that drives like a proper passenger car, and a good one at that.

Actually defining the Roomster's 'type' is not so easy as most manufacturers have abandoned the small wagon market. The closest in concept and layout is probably the old Renault Scenic. Instead of trying to disguise its utilitarian focus with a body that looks like a giant bubble, the Roomster celebrates its multi-purpose nature.

It has the look of a builder who forgot whether he was on his way out or going to work and pulled on a set of overalls over a white shirt and tie. After a week, the styling still looked discordant despite its quaintness.

It took some discipline not to assume that it would drive like this. As each kilometre mounted up over a 700km test, the Roomster soon had its occupants smiling as it is such a willing, practical and frugal performer. If an Australian family of five had to jump out of their Territory, Kluger or Prado and 'make do' with a Roomster, life could be worse. In fact, the Roomster really challenges preconceptions on how much resources actually need to go into purchasing and running a family truckster --especially when the Czech car comes with a five-star safety rating.

Rear seating consists of three separate seats, all of which can be folded or removed in various combinations. The centre seat back can be folded for a large central load platform that will double as a games or meal platform for children sitting in the outer positions.

Each rear seat has its own pull-out bungee strap to tie down luggage and there is a collection of luggage nets and an extendable plastic fence to stop objects flying around the large rear compartment.

When the rear seats are in their normal seating position, there is plenty of side and forward vision as well as abundant leg and headroom thanks to their cinema-style location and low side window line. The extreme rearward location of the rear wheels must contribute to extra crash protection and allows the centre luggage and rear seat section to exploit the full width of the vehicle free of any wheel-arch intrusion.

It is evident that some thought has gone into the whole design.

Skoda's careful upper location of the centre dash vents allows them to force air into the rear section unimpeded by the front occupants. The only criticism is the lack of seatback height for tall passengers in the rear seats.

The test car had some useful extras, some of which will be essential for certain buyers. Because of its family focus and its ability to swallow huge loads which would block rear vision, the parking sensors are a must. At $330, the roof rails are also essential if you intend to load anything on the roof as any roof rack mounting is going to be compromised without them.

As for the panoramic roof, forget about it in any state north of Tasmania. It doesn't open and is simply there to make the Roomster feel light and airy -- something that the bungalow-sized cabin doesn't need. Because the full glass roof is only covered by a sliding mesh shade, the radiant heat under Aussie UV levels is fierce despite the various coatings on the glass.

Once loaded and out on the road, the Roomster's dynamics and ability to handle most Australian roads are considerably better than its VW stablemates -- not surprising given that Czech roads have more in common with ours than Germany (read about our international launch drive in the Czech Republic here).

The variation between laden and unladen ride and handling is not as pronounced as most light cars with a load capacity as big as this one, so obviously some thought has gone into the design and refinement of the rear suspension.

A walk around the vehicle reveals better than expected protection for the large front intakes, although the huge expanse of unprotected sheet metal on the sides and large painted plastic bumpers have the potential to generate more 'acne' than a teenage chocaholic.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine is not the hindrance you would expect. It is quieter and more refined than any VW diesel driven lately and brought back good memories of the sweet 1.6 in early local Golfs and Passats.

It revs cleanly and willingly and belies its modest 77kW, thanks mainly to an outstanding six-speed auto that always keeps it on the boil. Unladen fuel consumption on the highway was staggering with 5L/100km easily achievable -- not surprising given the vehicle's easy, long-legged feel at 100km/h.

Load it up then try to keep up with a big Aussie car away from the lights and the Roomster won't cut it but this is not what it is about. Frugal and compact enough, it's the sort of car you could commute to work in everyday, yet unlike a Toyota Yaris or Hyundai Getz it can earn its keep 24/7 -- flat out over the weekends ferrying sports teams and equipment at minimal cost.

The extra $10,000 ask Skoda has placed upon the Roomster falls into perspective when the vehicle can do the work of at least two cars.

It is a very easy car to drive in congested city conditions. In fact, it is actually better suited to the relatively slow pace of heavily-regulated Australian roads than most of us would like to admit.

Safe handling, compliant ride over a wide variety of Aussie roads that is most un-European, great vision, ESP and enough European cachet for it not to be dismissed as a baker's van -- why wouldn't you buy one?

Parked outside a school flanked by Klugers, Territorys and Prados, it will look a little Mickey Mouse but that's not the car's fault. The Roomster actually challenges Australians to move beyond dinner-party lip service to Kyoto and live it.