Skoda Roomster

Ive been driving my roomster for half a year now, and I must say it has lived up to my expectations. Just last weekend, I decided to go Mountain Biking with some mates, but at the same my Wife needed me to help her bring some stuff to her baking class. So in went my mountain bike (only had to remove my front wheel), her delicately prepared cake and all her baking equipment. When I shut the doors, I realised that the car really has proved itself indespensible to our weekend activities.

For the price, I really can't complain. The Roomster is well built and has a lot of character to boot. Its strongest point is probably the amount of space you get for a car about the size of a Honda Jazz. I have transported 2 mountain bikes and 3 people in this car, a feat which would be much more difficult on other cars this size. Of course you are driving a volkswagen caddy or berlingo... etc, but then you would also have to put up with cheap plastics...

Although the Roomster's interior is quite tasteful, I wish that Harvest brought in the leather seat option. My black cloth seats are rather drab and depressing, plus they do not really hold up that well to wear and tear. I would have much preferred the beige interior I have seen sold in Europe.

The car's handling is superb considering it is a tall car. It corners with a lot of confidence and is very sure footed at North South Highway speeds. It is only a pity that the engine is a bit dated and sounds like it is about to dismantle itself anywhere above 4000 RPM. Sometimes I think thats why people say that get good fuel economy on this car, it scares you out of using more petrol.

Some people hate the styling of the car, but I really like it. Its exterior form is derived from function, and I think its brilliant. Only thing of course, is that its concept is not far removed from other euro vans thus you will encounter many uninformed road users that you are doing a delivery run.

By rights, the Roomster would do really well in its 1.2 TSI guise, but unfortunately the general Singaporean public has yet to look beyond Skoda's commie days.

Harvest really needs to work hard at changing this public perception (perhaps with more creative marketing that showcases the quality of the latest models), and please please please keep the prices reasonable, your korean competitors produce very good cars for the money too.

Just clock 37k km and 1 year old this 1st of June.

No problems at all. Been to service twice at 15k and 30k km.

Just changed a battery and a new set of tires and rims.

Car just gets better by the day and smoother engine.

Started with some vibrations but after a year, its just butter smooth.

Fabric seats get dirty easy.

I have so far driven the Roomster for 20k km.

No problems at all.

Great car. Can carry large amount of stuff. Feel very safe on the roads.

Does not handle like a tall and narrow vehicle.

Tested this little fellow last weekend.

I must say its "IMPRESSIVE".

The engine was quiet. Not so much bodyroll when turning. Cruising was smooth too, didnt realise I was actually running on 6th gear until salesperson told me.

This car can be better if it comes with option of 1.8L or even 2.0L with sunroof or even DSG... but the Tiptronic is also fine.

Overall, this is a great affordable family car that comes with VW engine.

We got the Polar blue Roomster 1.6l 6 speed auto gear with Tiptronics last week. It's a mix of Roomster 2 and 3 package as defined in Europe.

This is a car that uses VW engine, VW gearbox, VW platform, VW ECU, VW steering wheel which is assembled and badged as Skoda.

First impression.

It's really about the room space and flexibility. First off and most importantly, the driver's room. It's a mix of driving a hatch and MPV. You don't get that too low a feel and not too high a position like driving the bus. Just right.

2nd row seats

The rear seat will incline and slide front and back individually. Adult will find that the sitting position is like a sofa in the living room. Unlike sedan, where the knee have to be lifted up, not this one. Knee can best rest at 90 degree. Very comforting and relaxing.

Luggage compartment.

Monthly chores and goods from the NTUC/ShingShiong/Giants is a breeze and the space will swallow your whole month groceries and more. Or perhaps the weekends picnics of foldable table, cooler box, and what not picnic stuff is so easily tug away and a quick go. Hook points aplenty, thus keeping things in place and lock in is easy.

Great for up North holiday. Enough for luggage, mattress and pillow for the kids and shopping bags to bring back!

Space and room is thumbs up! Clever design.

Engine wise:

This is no hot hatch and yet still capable to spring some surprises.It's actually a very willing and nippy car.

The gearbox always ready to react, tap in the accelerator and response quickly, shift down to the right gear and did a breeze overtaking.

Once it hit the 6th gear and cruising, it's a silent beast in sheep skin.

Not a car for everyone.

But for those with family that need practicality, getting most out of their car, needing lots of space and flexibility to carry things around and finds that MPV are too big and no fun to drive, this could be the perfect car to be had.

Drives and turns like a hatch, perky and willing engine and with a space for the whole family.

It's agreat inclusion to the family.

I've never seen a Roomster till i went to the showroom to check it out today. It is about Jazz size, but it really impressed with its versatility and build quality. Soft touch plastics are everywhere in the cabin, whereas the Jazz has hard and brittle ones. The seats can be removed or folded flat or pushed forward or inwards (there are so many configurations). The exterior design is unique, but not immediately appealing. I like the front, inspired by a jet fighter. The rear is a bit Citroen Berlingo-like, but much more classy and well designed.

The drive was another surprise. I've never tested anything under the Volkswagen Group of cars before, but i've tested the Peugeot 207, Citroen C4, Honda Civic/Jazz, Fiat Punto, Mini Cooper and a few other cars before. And compared to them, this Skoda should really be a star. It corners so flatly that it inspires so much confidence when going around bends. The ride is so supple too. Bumps are soaked up really well, much better than a Jazz. The steering is also very accurate. The car is rather leathergic off the line, but once the torque comes in, it really is a big wave. This car should do really well on highways where it should waft on the torque. Refinement is splendid. And i just love the solidity. There was no rattling or whatsoever. It's built like a tank!

This car deserves to sell much much much better!

This car looks like a van, yet drives like a car. Ignore the exterior looks and you actually have a car thats spacious on the inside. Engine is different from the Octavia and is a 16 valve instead of 8 valve. Performance is decent, engine is silent. Gearbox is also smooth, 6 speed auto with tiptronic shifting. This car is the best selling MPV in Europe. However, if you want an engine that roars with that sporty sound, go for the Octavia.