Skoda Roomster Scout Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Skoda Roomster Scout range
Prices: £12,510-£14,070 - on the road
Insurance Group: 3E-5E [est]
Emissions: 137-169g/km
Performance: [1.9TDI] 0-60mph 11.5s / Max Speed 113mph [est]
Fuel Consumption: [1.4TDI] (combined) 52mpg [est]
Safety: ABS, front, side and curtain airbags. WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Height 4219/1659/1650mm

SCOUT’S HONOUR?

Our Rating: 7.3 / 10

Scouting for a good deal on a rugged yet stylish small MPV? Look no further than the Skoda Roomster Scout. Andy Enright reports

The collection of van-based MPVs that are out there - think Citroen Berlingo Multispace, Fiat Doblo or Renault Kangoo - have enjoyed high levels of success thanks to their generous interior space, competitive pricing and general simplicity. The problem is that they’re all ultimately scuppered by their rough ‘n’ ready commercial vehicle origins. In the Roomster, Skoda have a vehicle that displays the key advantages of a van-based model but without the drawbacks of harsh ride, poor refinement and an industrial interior. The latest Scout model extends that ‘lifestyle’ element a little further.

Van-based MPVs haven’t been around too long but their evolution has been rapid. The first examples appeared back in the late 1990s when some bright spark caught sight of an ordinary small van and noticed that its spacious load bay, robust construction and affordable price would make it a decent foundation for a no-nonsense people mover. This formula rapidly became popular and many manufacturers tried their hand with varying degrees of success. Then Skoda came along and changed the rules. The Czech maker didn’t have a small van to convert so, not wanting to be left out, they built the Roomster – the first van-based MPV-sector competitor that isn’t, well, based on a van.

Despite its 4x4-style looks, you won’t have the benefit of all-wheel drive with the Roomster Scout. Still, it does feature a more imposing air given that its 14mm longer, 11mm wider and, most importantly, fully 43mm taller than a standard Roomster. It’s available with four engines for buyers to choose from and these are equally split between petrol and diesel. The petrol range opens with an 85bhp 1.4 and also features a 105bhp 1.6. The entry-level 1.4 has 132Nm of torque output at 3,800rpm which is enough if you’re not loaded to the gunwales. The 1.6 feels more muscular still with 155Nm produced at the same engine speed.

The diesels with their superior fuel economy are where a lot of the smart money will go but, as always, they’re priced at a sizable premium, so make sure you’re going to cover enough mileage to recoup this extra outlay at the pumps. Many will also prefer the more relaxed driving characteristics of the oil-burners, however, with the 80bhp 1.4-litre three-cylinder option producing a torque figure of 195Nm. The range-topping engine is the 1.9-litre TDI and here you get 105bhp and a sizable 240Nm torque rating. All the engines get a 5-speed gearbox with an optional six-speed auto ‘box available for the more powerful petrol versions.

Despite the high roofline at the rear, all Roomsters resist body roll admirably and the general ride quality is far superior to van-based MPV rivals. It stays nice and quiet when you’re on the move as well, with only limited wind and road noise finding its way inside.

The Scout is fairly easy to differentiate from the standard Roomster models due to that raised ride height and also the side body mouldings, roof rails and fog lights. Thankfully Skoda hasn’t been tempted to really go overboard with the 4x4 styling cues which would have lent this car something of a bogus appeal, the Czech company staying just the right side of the line in this key regard.

There’s quite a bit of space to stretch out in the Scout. The roofline steps up, allowing the rear seats to be mounted 46mm higher than those in the front: this boosts the space available to passengers. Leg and headroom are both extremely generous and there’s a light, airy feel to the space thanks to the large windows. An optional panoramic glass roof increases this effect, with Skoda pointing out that children become bored more quickly if they don’t have a good view of the scenery.

The rear seating has also been thoughtfully designed. All three sections of the rear bench are individually foldable and removable. They also recline as well as sliding fore and aft so that owners can choose