JUST when you thought Skoda could do no wrong, up comes the Roomster.
The VW-owned Czech car builders have defied the critics with a series of excellent cars backed up by slick marketing and publicity.
Now it has produced arguably the most practical, value-for-money effort to carry the Skoda badge - but to me it has the visual appeal of Postman Pat's delivery van.
It has been said elsewhere, but the Roomster really does look like two different cars welded together - a front end not dissimilar to the new Fabia and the back end - well, judge it for yourself.
Maybe a bit harsh, but they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and on nearly every other count, the Roomster is very good indeed.
It offers the practicality of an MPV with van-like cargo space and an engine, particularly the 1.4-litre version, that just sips the fuel while delivering decent grunt.
It also drives well and is a relative snip with the entry level priced at just £9,920 rising to £14,050 for the flagship 1.9 TDI Roomster 3.
Good levels of specification are also available with the base model offering CD player that can link with MP3 or IPod players, ABS and six airbags, reach and rake adjustable steering and immobiliser.
Further electrics, air con and alloys come with higher spec models, as does remote central locking and colour-coded bumper and door mirrors.
Despite my reservations about the exterior looks, the Roomster is all about interior space and practicality. It is the first Skoda built on its own platform and offers a longer wheelbase than the Octavia.
This means that the clever VarioFlex seating system really comes into its own.
This offers 20 combinations of seating positions where the rear seats fold, slide, fold flat and can be removed.
This creates immense space, 1,780 lires, and this is complemented by various other storage compartments and the centre rear also folds down to create a table.
Add the optional interior bike carriers and two adult bikes can be carried with ease inside the car.
The bonus of the car/van set-up also means that rear passengers can see plenty out of the rear windows and the extra light gives a lighter and airier feel to the interior.
Even the boot space with all the seats in place is generous and has a low loading sill, making it particularly useful for mothers with pushchairs, the elderly with heavy shopping bags or bringing bulky stuff home from the local DIY.
An adjustable parcel shelf and intergral roof rails, add to the versatility.
On the road, the 1.4 petrol unit is a willing if slightly raucous beast that has to be worked hard. It is mated to one of the slickest and most precise gearboxes on the market and this, together with the nicely weighted steering, makes for an agreeable drive.
Considering how tall the car is, handling is sharp with little wallow on corners.
The car offers three petrol and three diesel options. All are frugal, on the test model the gauge moved reluctanly over the course of the week, with more than 40mpg easily achievable.
They are also cheap to insure and for the carbon conscious offer low CO2 emissions.
It's a fine practical car even if the looks are not my cup of tea.
FAST FACTS
Skoda Roomster Level 2 1.4
Price: £11,510
Mechanical: 85bhp, 1,390cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 13 secs
Combined mpg: 41.5
Insurance group: 4
CO2 emissions: 162g/km
BiK rating: 19%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 10yrs anti-rust