Skoda Roomster vs Volkswagen Golf Plus. Above the ordinary

Skoda Roomster. Price: from 399,000 RUB.
VW Golf Plus. Price: from 531,700 RUB.

Oleg Kalaushin, 37 years old, automotive journalist, 18 years of driving experience. Personal car: Renault Logan

Skoda Roomster

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus
© Photo: 5 Koleso

Roomster appeared on our market not so long ago, but immediately attracted attention. With its extravagant and daring appearance, it literally turned ideas upside down and caused confusion among those who had already made their choice. However, how good is it really? Maybe there is nothing more behind the unusual exterior? To thoroughly understand this, we arranged a head-to-head comparison with a more renowned rival in this class. And not just anyone, but Skoda's "big brother" — Volkswagen. In our opinion, the Golf Plus is a quite suitable "ordinary" car for such a test.

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus
© Photo: 5 Koleso

Traditionally, we start with the exterior. As already mentioned, the Roomster is an extraordinary personality in this regard. We haven't seen such a wayward design for a long time. It seems as if its appearance was approved spontaneously and in a hurry. It features traits of a minibus, a small truck, and even an airplane. However, if we recall that the Roomster was assembled literally from available means — the Fabia and Octavia platforms — there is nothing surprising about it. Moreover, the shock from the appearance passes quite quickly, and over time the car even begins to please. What's even more appealing is that this design will most likely not become outdated for many years.

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus. 2008 Skoda Roomster
© Photo: 5 Koleso

Inside, the Roomster pleases with quality materials and decent equipment, but it is far from the Volkswagen interior — it lacks polish. However, this is perhaps the only thing where the "Czech" yields to the Golf Plus. In everything else, it differs little from the "German," and in a number of parameters even surpasses it. Take, for example, the trunk organization. Let's start with the little things: the rear shelf can be installed at different levels. The second row of seats in the Roomster is not two asymmetric chairs, as in the Golf Plus, but three full-fledged places. Each of them can be shifted or folded, which opens up wide possibilities for transforming the interior. And if necessary, they can be completely removed from the car, obtaining a cargo compartment with a volume of 1780 liters — 330 liters more than the competitor. By the way, this is a serious achievement, because the Roomster, although not by much, is shorter and narrower than the Golf Plus. It turned out taller. This did not affect the interior volume at all: it is no more cramped than in the Golf, and there is even more space in the back. The secret is simple: the Skoda's wheelbase is longer than the Volkswagen's. And an extra millimeter of wheelbase, as is known, gives several additional centimeters of living space and greater stability on the road.

Having successfully combined their two bestsellers — the Skoda Fabia and Skoda Octavia — the Czechs brought to the market something that will stir the minds of potential owners for a long time. The car is interesting not only for its design, but also for its functionality. Moreover, the price is quite adequate.

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus. 2008 Skoda Roomster
© Photo: 5 Koleso

Driving
A car that is successful in almost all driving indicators. Of course, it doesn't reach for the stars, but no negatives were noted either.

Interior
Spacious and functional, the only complaint can be about the excessive modesty in its decoration.

Comfort
At a good level and fully corresponds to the car's class. In the maximum configuration, there is even a panoramic roof.

Safety
In the basic configuration, only one airbag.

Price
Adequate to the "amount" of the car.

Volkswagen Golf Plus

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus. 2008 Skoda Roomster
© Photo: 5 Koleso

Volkswagen is much more restrained in terms of appearance. And it's not in its status to flirt with the public. Just the Golf badge on the trunk lid is enough to make it desirable. Moreover, the calm design allows it to be appropriate in any company — from a youth hangout to the "Grandma's Joy" club. Now imagine how you would look arriving at such an event in a Roomster... At the very least, you wouldn't be understood, and at most, you wouldn't even be let past the barrier.

The Golf is also solid and expected inside. Quality and again quality — that's what catches the eye first. Perfectly fitted elements, pleasant-to-touch textures, exceptional ergonomics — these are the components without which a German car is unimaginable today. Now multiply this by the desire to make a truly convenient car in all respects — and we get the Golf Plus. And although it hasn't gone far from the regular Golf (the platform is the same), it has more functionality. Take, for example, the fact that due to a more upright seating position, there is significantly more space. The trunk also does not suffer from a lack of space. Moreover, it can be increased by moving the rear passengers closer to the front row. Longitudinally moving seats allow this to be done without difficulty. If a larger area is needed, the seats can be folded, freeing up as much as 1450 liters of volume for loading. By the way, their kinematics are such that they allow obtaining a completely flat cargo surface. In general, it's convenient and practical.

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus. 2008 VW Golf Plus
© Photo: 5 Koleso

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus. 2008 VW Golf Plus
© Photo: 5 Koleso

On the road, the Golf Plus and Skoda Roomster behave approximately the same. Except that the Volkswagen responds slightly more briskly to the driver's commands. However, this manifests itself only in modes close to extreme. Normal measured driving puts these cars practically on the same level. Their dynamic characteristics are similar.

But sound insulation, oddly enough, is better in the Roomster. In the Golf Plus, it also corresponds to the car's class, but the noise level, as it feels, is slightly lower in the Skoda. Moreover, the main source of noise in both cars is the rear wheel arches.

So what to prefer? An unambiguous answer, as you understand, will not be possible. Undoubtedly, the Golf Plus is more prestigious than the Roomster, and if this is an important factor for you, then, of course, it's worth taking a closer look at it. Golf is Golf, especially if it's also with a plus. After all, quality elevated to a cult is worth a lot. And if you are primarily interested in practicality and originality in a car, then the Roomster is definitely your option. Especially since the price with a configuration similar to the Golf Plus will be significantly lower.

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus. 2008 VW Golf Plus
© Photo: 5 Koleso

Driving
Despite the fact that the car has grown in height, in terms of handling and predictability it practically does not differ from the regular Golf.

Interior
Materials and build quality are at a high level. Everything you touch is pleasant.

Comfort
Cozy and spacious. The only drawback is the weak sound insulation.

Safety
Six airbags and ABS with ASR in the base. More than enough.

Price
Given the rich basic configuration, it is acceptable.

Our verdict

Skoda Roomster vs VW Golf Plus. Oleh Kalaushyn
© Photo: 5 Koleso

After completing the editorial tests, we came to an unambiguous conclusion: the Golf Plus is a solid German car that wins with its quality assembly, confident road behavior, and generous standard equipment. Still, when it came to choosing, our sympathy was on the side of the Roomster. The Czech wagon managed to combine almost everything you expect from a practical car — and it's not just about the well-thought-out cabin layout, but also the overall level of execution. An especially weighty argument is the more affordable price tag, which favorably distinguishes the Skoda from the Volkswagen Golf Plus.