Skip advert
Advertisement

Skoda Roomster 1.6

Terrible name, weird looks, surprisingly good car

Evo rating
RRP
from £11,855
  • Great ride, surprising handling
  • No FSI engines, image issues

There are are two reasons why you’re reading about the Roomster in evo. And neither is that there’ll be a vRS version, even though Skoda is using the Roomster as a car to ‘sharpen and emotionalise the Skoda brand’. Reason one is that the Roomster represents the evolution of the car. Sales of regular saloons and hatches are sliding because people want more useful cars to fit their changing ‘lifestyles’. The Roomster is extremely useful, with three sliding/foldable/removable seats in the back, lots of legroom, stratospheric headroom and an ample boot. It’s also very well finished and equipped. Reason two is that the Roomster is unexpectedly good fun to drive. The wide rear track keeps roll low and turn-in quick, and the choice of springs and dampers should be perfect for our desperate British roads. Gutsiest is a 1.9-litre turbodiesel with just 105bhp, the same power as the more engaging petrol 1.6.

Specifications

Engine4-cyl, 1598cc, 16v
Max power105bhp @ 5700rpm
Max torque114lb ft @ 3500rpm
0-6010.9sec (claimed)
Top speed114mph (claimed)
On saleSeptember 2006
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Save £24,000 on a new BMW M4 Competition – massive discounts on M’s flagship coupe
BMW M4 discounted
News

Save £24,000 on a new BMW M4 Competition – massive discounts on M’s flagship coupe

If you've thought about buying BMW's M4 coupe now might be the time. Current discounts make them as cheap as an M2
3 Mar 2026
Audi RS5 review – Audi Sport's super estate eyes the BMW M3 Touring
2026 Audi RS5
Reviews

Audi RS5 review – Audi Sport's super estate eyes the BMW M3 Touring

Hybrid power provides Audi’s new super estate with a class leading 630bhp, but it comes at a price. Well two actually
2 Mar 2026
Renault 5 GT Turbo (1985-1991) review – the ultimate foil for Peugeot's 205 GTI
Renault 5 GT Turbo
Reviews

Renault 5 GT Turbo (1985-1991) review – the ultimate foil for Peugeot's 205 GTI

They don’t make them like the Renault 5 GT Turbo anymore. Reacquaintance with the 850kg hot hatch is a pallet cleanser
3 Mar 2026