Skoda Roomster SE Plus 1.2 TSI 105ps 5dr Car Review - February 2012

One of the issues that is naturally a concern when you see an upright car such as the Roomster is the amount of lean in the corners, and while steering is accurate there is quite a lot of lean when going around the bends. The handling is reasonably good, with the ride on the open road being quite good and responsive, but it can feel a little too sensitive to drive when going around town. The driving position in the Skoda Roomster is easy enough, as there is plenty of adjustability in the seat, but visibility is impacted by the thick windscreen pillars.

There is no doubt that the engine of the Roomster isn't designed for top performance, with the 1.2 litre TSI only able to accelerate from 0-62mph in 12.6 seconds. The top speed for the car is 107mph, and while this is ample for motorway use, it really isn't tearing up any trees in terms of its performance either.

The rise from the front of the car to a larger rear is reminiscent of the old Citroen Dyane vans, and the large headlight clusters and the grille is actually quite a nice front end. There is no doubt that the Roomster is a little angular, and the flat back door does nothing to dispel the practical style, but the plastic skirting that goes all the way around the car does give it quite a nice look. Inside the car the two-tone plastic is reasonably efficient, but it isn't a spectacular car by any stretch of the imagination.

The SE Plus level of trim is one of the nicest available, and has 15 inch alloy wheels and climate control included on top of the rest of the equipment. The CD stereo will be good enough for all but the most ardent of music fans, and the panoramic sunroof is another feature that is very welcome on the Roomster.

Although some people may be reminded of a hearse when they see the Skoda Roomster, there is unsurprisingly plenty of space to be seen in the car. Legroom and headroom in the front and back seats is good, and the boot also offers ample space. Skoda are also known for creating very reliable cars, and so far the Roomster has been living up to that reputation.

In terms of the safety of the Roomster it has been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test, and this is because of the range of airbags that are available to drivers and passengers to help them in a collision. However, it is disappointing to see that ESP is only an optional extra, rather than a vital safety feature in the car.

People who are considering buying a Skoda Roomster may find that the list price of £14,335 difficult to justify with what the competition can offer. Although there are other cars that are very practical, they will usually be a little more expensive than this one.

The running costs for the Roomster similarly to many other Skoda's is really very low, with the fuel efficiency delivering an average 49.6mpg, which is good for a car of this size with a petrol engine. The insurance group is very low, and the Roomster is also supplied with a three year warranty and a roadside breakdown policy for three years too.