The front is the "driving room", the passengers make themselves comfortable in the "living room", the furniture can be moved around and everyone gets a good view of the outside world.

It is a clever concept which pulls together the best bits of an MPV and a hatchback and really works.

Roomster also takes the Skoda model range into a new era. Skoda has never done anything like this before but has clearly got it right first time.

The unusual styling, which hints of van conversion, is not going to be to everyone's taste but no-one will argue about it being solid, well built, agile on the road and sensibly priced.

The standard Roomster, launched in the autumn, starts at under £10,000 and steps up to around £14,000 for the model with the biggest engine and the best spec.

The range stepped up a notch a few weeks ago with the launch of the Roomster Scout, chosen for my road test, which is a few millimetres longer, wider and taller than the standard model and looks more rugged and chunky with its bigger wheels, side body mouldings and roof rails.

Starting from around £12,000 it is also marginally more expensive, but the 1.9 diesel can still be driven out of the showroom for just over £14,000.

That compares favourably with similar models from rivals. But a word of warning. Don't be taken in by the beefy appearance. The Scout might try to look like a sports utility vehicle but it is still two-wheeldrive so best resist any temptation to go off-road.

In every other respect it is the ideal family car with an interior like a Tardis. There is loads of head and legroom and the back seats can be folded, moved backwards, forwards and sideways or taken out altogether.

In situ, the seats are in a raised position and there is acres of glass so everyone in the back gets a great view. The two people in the front seats don't fare quite so well. The front screen is huge but the front
pillars are thick and the bonnet dips down out of sight.

With the full quota of people, the Roomster still has a generous amount of luggage space. With the seats down, or out altogether, the boot volume increases to 1,780 litres – plenty of room for suitcases and a couple of mountain bikes.

There are map pockets, cubby holes, bottle bins, cup holders and plenty of storage spaces, although the glove boxes are small.

Skoda has not skimped on home comforts or on safety features and has fitted six front, side and curtain airbags as standard and, cleverest of all, curved headlights and cornering fog lights which give the driver a wide-angled view and pick out hazards in the roadside.

The interior finish is sitting room functional rather than drawing room plush and the ride is firm but not uncomfortable.

The diesel version has a top speed of 113mph and the all-important fuel
consumption averages out at 51mpg which earns it extra Gordon Brownie points in the family budget.

Skoda has done a good job and conjured up a mobile home with a difference that will appeal to families on the move.

Roomster Scout and the rest of the range can be seen at local
Skoda dealers, ALS Lock, based in Little Downham, Ely.