Skoda Roomster test drive since 2006 -

All photos of Skoda Roomster since 2006

Such a different marketing

Meriva a niche product of calculating Germans from Opel. Roomster Funny Skoda picture, revived in metal and plastic.

Pragmatism or fantasy, dry calculation or fruit of the imagination can penetrate the trust (and then garage) of a person looking for a vehicle of the XXI century?

True, does Opel Meriva resemble a hamster? Puffy, round, with tiny legs and it also looks like Corsa, with which a lot connects them. If not for chrome and not dimensions, it would be hard to distinguish between Meriva from the smallest Opel.

Roomster does not look like anyone else from the line of its own creator, Skoda. About seven to eight years ago, he would successfully act as a movie hero of a futuristic action movie or thriller. Its rounded corners of the windows and rear doors without handles would be perceived as a new word in automobile design. So it, in fact, was: at least in the history of Skoda.

After the success of the Roomster concept, Skoda decided to develop a model for mass production. At the beginning of the century, Opel thought about Meriva, when the gap between the compact Agila and the Zafira mini-owan began to seem too impressive and required urgent substitution.

Both cars were created literally from what was at hand. For Skoda Roomster, they took a suspension, motors and the steering mechanism from Fabia and attached to this the rear suspension from Octavia. Similarly, it came out with Meriva: the steering, engine, gearbox and suspension from Corsa, and the rear half -dependent suspension with tied levers went from Astra.

But Meriva is a typical representative of the family, with recognizable family features both outside and inside. Roomster is a completely different topic. He added colors to the Skoda line, making it clear that the Czechs are not afraid of new ideas and forms.

ery or black and white?
Inside Meriva in a spirrel gray; In the cabin, only the correct forms and, mostly, straight lines triumph. Roomster's colors are black and white. From dark plastic, the upper part of the torpedo, the steering wheel, the radio, the climate control panel, and the white sparkles everything else: from seats to the lower glove compartment. Yes, there are two of them, and they are above each other; Where in Opel (and in other cars) there are a glove box and a passenger airbag.

In a strict Opel interior, you feel free. At least problems with ergonomics: the first inconvenience was caused by double front window frames and small windows: turning to the left, you have to stretch out the neck to make out a hindrance.

The second difficulty was caused by the adjustment of the seat in height simply was not there. Roomster is deprived of these problems: here the chair is rising, letting in, and there are no windows in the windows. However, Skoda is closer: her relationship with Fabia affects. I wonder how Opel managed to hide Corsa's genes?

And I also have great doubts that white plastic in the doorway and the central tunnel of Roomster will remain so for a long time. However, this no longer depends on the car.

Skoda Roomster

The basic Roomster with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine costs $ 15,490. ABS, MSR, driver’s airbag, steering wheel, rudder, and immobilizer are included in standard equipment. A car with a 1.4-liter 87-horsepower engine and a five-speed mechanical checkpoint will cost at least $ 16,790. And together with a 1.6-liter 105-horsepower engine, you can order an automatic transmission. True, such a Roomster will cost at least $ 21,290.

Opel Meriva

With a 90-horsepower engine of 1.4 Meriva will cost $ 15,790. The standard equipment includes a package for dusty roads, a package for countries with cold climate, a steering wheel, an immobilizer adjustable in height, a driver’s security pillow and a front passenger, ABS, Brake Assistant, Central Castle with D.U., a car with a 1.6-liter 105-horsepower engine and a mechanical gearbox will cost $ 17,490, and with a semi-automatic transmission Easytronic from $ 18,090.

Supplement and rule
Each of the cars of the test participants is not enough. And they completed each other remarkably if they could combine their merits. Meriva agitating for dynamic riding reacts very sharply to changing the steering wheel, but the effort on it is minimal and unpredictable. Opel also staggers from side to side, if you suffocate it with sharp restructures: a high center of gravity makes itself felt.

Roomster lacks that acuteness in management, but the steering wheel will be poured with a more informative effort, and you can forget about the rolls. But, again: the car itself does not inspire the races rather the opposite: on a comfortable smooth ride. Especially with a 1.4-liter 86-horsepower engine.

For the urban engine driving, it is quite surprising that Skoda believes that it is this motor that will be the most successful. The engine quickly reacts to gas and exactly pulls up to 6,000 rpm.

... It turned out dishonest! We went to the test with a 1.6-liter 105-horsepower engine (similar in volume and power will stand on Skoda) while Skoda had a 1.4-liter. Therefore, to tell which of them faster makes no sense.

Nevertheless, the Meriva engine left a very good impression that we are in a hurry to share. It is quiet and economical, while quite a cut and burden. Special thanks to the mechanical gearbox, which is optimally suitable for requests of the motor, allowing you to effectively realize its entire potential.

Instead of conclusion
Both compactwenes have their advantages: so, Opel captivates with its accessibility, and Skoda is with originality, and the bright interior of Roomster confronts the strict Meriva salon.

If a compact wan is needed for a useful space and work, if you need a greater result at lower costs, we recommend that Opel. If you want the car to surprise you every day, please and stand out from gray everyday traffic jams to you to Skoda.

Cars were provided by Atlantm Baltika and Autocenter on Engels by official dealers GM and Skoda

Text: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Roman Ostanin