2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Why the Roomster is not called Fabia Kombi is something that only those responsible in marketing at Skoda know. The space vehicle is definitely more clever and practical than its brand colleague.
From Jürgen Wolff
If you see the two cars side by side from the front, you will find it difficult to tell the difference. The true qualities of the Skoda Fabia and the Skoda Roomster only become clear in the side and rear view. One comes as a tame notchback version from the B-pillar, the other as a spacious mini-van. The front end is the same for both: headlights, radiator grille, front bumper in body color with integrated fog lights, the bonnet and even the windshield are practically identical. Only if you look closely will you notice the different roof finishes or the roof rails on the Roomster. Even under the bonnet, the same units work in principle - from the 1.2-liter gasoline engine with 70 hp and three cylinders to the 1.9-liter TDI diesel with 105 hp and one more cylinder. Only the very small 60 PS petrol engine is reserved for the Fabia and does not have to struggle with the 100 kilograms extra weight of the Roomster.
Largely identical
Consistency also in the interior - at least included up to the first row. Fittings, steering wheel, gear knob, even the floor mats. As is usually the case with the double ?? koda, it is advisable to choose the slightly more sophisticated equipment. The seats alone are better cut and offer more lateral support - overall you just feel more homely. But you won't get cheap food either way: The materials in the tidy cockpit appear robust and appropriate to the vehicle class. The engineers have been thinking, down to the very last detail - for example with the two-part glove compartment that can be cooled down below or the fixed holders for 1.5-liter bottles in the doors. Both are equally easy and intuitive to use.
There is also plenty of space for passengers in both - especially in the front of the Fabia. Up to a height of 1.90 meters, the driver's seat and steering wheel can be easily adjusted to one another. In the Roomster, the individually movable rear seats also ensure plenty of space at the back - even two tall people can find enough space, even upstairs. The all-round view is only moderate with both ?? koda, especially in the Roomster the rear window posts disturb. And even at the front, when parking, you can only guess where the end is.
Porter or not
The differences between the two brothers start at the B-pillar - not exactly a surprise for a station wagon version. The idea that the Roomster is actually a Fabia with a backpack is almost inevitable with this rear end. The window line does not result, as usual, from the continuation of the front end - it appears to be added later and not from a single cast. It is precisely this design break that gives the Roomster a pleasant, individual look - not a smoothly ironed design but its own character. The Fabia has only an average cargo space for its class: 300 liters are fully seated, 1163 with the rear seat folded down. Not lavish, but just as sufficient for everyday use as with VW Polo or Renault Clio. What bothers something is the relatively high side wall.
The Roomster, on the other hand, is sufficient at least for the small household. It manages 450 to 1780 liters. The immediate competitors consistently offer less storage space: The Fiat Idea has between 320 and 1420 liters, the Ford Fusion has 337 to 1175 liters, the Opel Meriva 415 to 1410 liters. Even the washing machine can be found in the Roomster when the rear seat is folded. Which can be done easily and without great effort in a few simple steps. Thanks to the large flap, the cargo space itself is easily accessible and easy to use. This is also due to the rear seat: it can be slid, folded and removed in parts, thus ensuring a high degree of variability in the usable storage space - Skoda calls the system VarioFlex. It continues very practically in the rear compartment: storage compartments,Hooks and the simple and effective plastic “basket” ensure that small parts and carrier bags are well secured. The «basket» is also available in the Fabia. With both Skodas you need a lot of momentum to close the tailgate with the idiosyncratic rubber clapper - since you often have to follow up, there are just as often dirty hands.
100 kilos more weight for the Roomster
The 1.4 liter engine with its 63 kW / 86 PS is sufficient for everyday use in the Fabia. But if you order the Roomster, you should order it with the 1.6-liter gasoline engine or even the 1.9-liter diesel - both have 19 hp more, which on the one hand offsets the 100 kilos extra weight and makes overtaking much more lively and driving on the mountain. The "small" engine often showed itself without momentum and slow to accelerate. In terms of consumption, the difference is small: with officially 7.0 liters of Super per 100 kilometers, the 105-hp petrol engine swallows just 0.2 liters more. In reality you can add another two liters to both engines.
In terms of driving safety, the Fabia is a bit ahead of the Roomster. No wonder: its taller design ensures more movement in the body when cornering at the same speed. The side tilt is clear - but it never became threatening with the Roomster either. Similar to directional stability. Normally, both stay on track without a lot of steering corrections - but because of the larger attack surface, the Roomster is a bit more sensitive in cross winds. Both of them have precise steering and good contact with the road. The just as precisely guided manual gearshift requires little effort, the gradation of the gears fits well with the characteristics of the respective engine.
Lack of flexibility
The Roomster (from 12,990 euros) is a Fabia in a station wagon version - turning it into an independent model range is like Mercedes letting its station wagons run under its own label. However, the Roomster is the better Fabia for us - the 1750 euro price difference to the notchback is definitely worth it. There is a no less lively and agile car with plenty of space and smart features - even the somewhat idiosyncratic design is more fun than annoyance. Seen in this way, the surcharge is still cheap. In addition to the lower price, the Fabia (from 9,990 euros) is supported by the fact that not everyone likes to travel with a “delivery van”. It's simply the fresh, but more “civil” version. Rather everyday, inconspicuous - but also more boring and far less flexible.
