Skoda Roomster test drive since 2006 -

Two rooms on wheels

Due to the features of the work, it often has to listen to different marketing fairy tales that scatter like a house of cards, it is worth getting into the car and drive a couple of kilometers on it. Some promise a sports sedan, which in practice is controlled as a cart, others promise a spacious salon, in which it turns out that passengers with elbows propagate each other, etc. Against the background of all this, Skoda Roomster pleasantly surprised between the marketing strategy and internal content. Crossing the front to the back seat really seems to be moving from one car to another, or from one room of the apartment to another.
The high window line around the driver and the front passenger, the rounded side windows involuntarily create the impression of the cabin of the aircraft, and you experience a similar feeling only in Saab cars. At the same time, with visibility, there are no problems the front racks have a minimum thickness, and the low -cut off the rear window and large side mirrors help to navigate both on the highway and in parking. Everything is different from behind, huge side windows with low window sills are significantly higher than the front, and given the optional hatch in the roof that our car was equipped, Roomster turns into almost the aquarium. This is one of the few cars where a four -year -old child, sitting in a children's chair, perfectly sees everything that happens around him, including not only road surroundings, but also the sky. Of course, it would be great for greater pleasure that a huge glass roof would be opening, and in the parking lot you can ventilate the car and lean out, but this, alas, is from the category of science fiction.
The only drawback of a two -room layout is the silhouette of the machine. A torn window line gives the impression that the car is incorporated from two halves: in front - Passenger Saab, and at the back - Renault Kangoo. But as they say, taste and color.
The quality of the assembly of the salon is high in German, however, the plastic of medium quality itself. Only a narrow strip at the top of the front panel is made of soft material. The light bottom, as well as the decoration in the area of \u200b\u200bthe windshield is hard, but still pleasant to the touch. Two glove boxes are provided on the front panel, though they both have a fairly modest volume and even put an A4 folder in them was problematic. The traditional instrument panel with two large speedometer and tachometer scale with a marking circle requires addiction. Between the two circles there is a large display, where the readings of the on -board computer, the odometer, and the fuel supply in the tank are displayed. The temperature sensor is replaced by control lamps, probably for reducing the price.
Tough chairs were comfortable, in addition, a reserve of adjustments in all directions is very wide, which allows drivers of very growth to feel at the wheel of driving. A solid supply of fresh air and light remains above the head in any case. However, the sensations in the Roomster salon are a matter of habit, but the landing itself is convenient and allows you to drive for more than one hour, which is an undoubted plus of a family car, which also cannot boast of outstanding dynamics. Here, even more interesting, and even a comfortable but boring shape, contrasts with stylish door handles and spectacular arrows on the instrument panel.
The rear passengers were even more advantageous, their visibility is not limited in any direction. Due to the fact that the rear sofa is located slightly above the front, passengers can look through the driver's head forward, as well as successfully inspect the surroundings on the sides or monitor the movement of the sun or stars through the panoramic hatch. The rear sofa is divided into three independent chairs, each of which has its own longitudinal adjustment and can change the back tilt. If there are not three of them from behind, then the back of the middle chair can be folded by turning it into a table with the cup holders, or you can completely remove it from the car, and the side seats can be rearranged closer to the center, although the place is width and the length and so enough with the reserve. If necessary, all the rear seats can be folded or completely removed from the passenger compartment, which increases the volume of the trunk from standard 450 liters to impressive 1780.
From a 1.4 -liter motor with a capacity of 87 hp It was difficult to expect impressive dynamics, but the engine was very interesting. If you are not rushing anywhere, then Roomster can move in the last fifth gear in a speed of 40 km/h and even slightly accelerate. At the same time, the motor does not publish any parasitic vibrations and groans, however, with an increase in speed, the speed pace does not increase very much. Up to 3000 rpm of the motor, the engine is minimal, although he tolerates all the burdens of life absolutely meekly and almost silently.
The most actively engine behaves in the range from 3,500 to 5000 rpm, then its thrust worships, and there is no point in bringing momentum to the restriction of the limiter. The dynamics of the motor allow you to quickly accelerate to 100 km/h in the first three gears. The mechanism of switching in folkvagenovsky is clear and allows you to switch transmissions with high speed and great pleasure. But it is worth it to relate to further acceleration, guided by the old Russian proverb - you go quieter - you will continue. On the highway, it was possible to accelerate only to 150 km/h, after which the capabilities of the motor and the aerodynamic resistance of the high body were equal.
The engine works absolutely silently at idle, but after 3000 rpm, its rumble in the cabin becomes very intrusive. With active driving around the city with frequent gear shifts, the sound of the motor pleases with sports lever notes. However, when driving along the highway, when the speed exceeds 120 km/h, talking in the cabin, you have to increase the voice. Formally, an advanced radio was supposed to fight with an automatic volume control depending on the speed of the machine, but this leads to the fact that at high speed in the cabin it becomes so noisy that it is easier to turn off and talk only if necessary.
To lay out 25 thousand dollars (approximately as much was worth the tested Roomster equipped with almost all possible options) for a family car with such modest dynamic characteristics, this is perhaps too much, and the external design does not excite too much. Although the happy eyes of the child and his words that this is the best car in the world, because the sky is visible from him, made me think. Perhaps it is worth paying attention to the 102-horsepower version with a 1.6-liter engine of its maximum speed is already 184 km/h. In the Sport or Comfort configuration with air conditioning, electric packets, two pillows, 16-inch alloy wheels, central remote control and heating seats, such a Skoda Roomster costs $ 19,990, which is only $ 700 more than a version with a 1.4-liter engine. Fulfillment 1.6 with an automaton will cost $ 21290 well, a very reasonable price for albeit simple, but still compactwane. For comparison, Renault Scenic with a 1.6 -liter engine in minimal configuration costs 21,550 dollars. For Roomster, it remains to pay another $ 800 for the most necessary element of a glass roof, and the remaining options like parking and high -quality radio can be put a little later, because they do not affect the convenience of the salon and its visibility.
Formally, a turbodiesel version of 1.9 TDI with a capacity of 105 hp is most suitable for distant voyages, which in dynamics is not inferior to gasoline, but should be significantly more economical. However, the price of such a rumster begins with a mark of $ 24,890, which at the current prices for fuel and dubious quality of Russian diesel fuel makes it a very dubious idea.
Those who want to really save money can recommend the basic version of Skoda Roomster with a 1.2 -liter engine with a capacity of 65 hp. Such a car costs from $ 15,490, but this price includes only ABS and a driver's pillow. Air conditioning and other options will have to be ordered separately. I am afraid to imagine the dynamic characteristics of such a car, especially since the fuel consumption on the highway will probably be quite high. However, those who are in need of a spacious and affordable city car, which, if desired, can be used as a truly van, such a version will probably be a successful acquisition, because Skoda is almost Volkswagen.

Leonid Pavlov
 
 
      
 
 

Source: Carclub.ru