ONE colleague described it as the Popemobile, another sidled up to the side and asked for an ice cream.

Whatever you think of the Skoda Roomster's unusual looks they achieve something - they get people talking, but have a practical purpose.

I'm still unsure about the quirky looks, but the Roomster does live up to its name. The front has the look of the nose and front doors of a Fabia, but as you go back along the car it looks like somebody has bolted on the back of a van.

The interior is truly cavernous and is made to feel even bigger by an optional full length panoramic glass roof. In fact, its so capacious that Skoda refers to the back as a living room.

The real benefit of the rear is the practicality which means the floors, seats and parcel shelves can be folded, lifted and twisted into a variety of different space creating combinations.

One of the most impressive claims is that you can slide full size adult bikes into the back and stand them upright on their wheels.

The headroom is obviously not a problem for drivers or passengers and there is also plenty of cubby holes spaces.

The oversized back doors open to reveal a low-to-the-floor body, which also makes passenger access easy - particularly the young and elderly.

Like all other Skodas the Roomster is well built and the test car's Scout trim had all the creature comforts you would expect from a range-topper.

All the controls are well designed simple to use and well laid out. The cockpit is mostly filled with sturdy plastics and chrome - apart from the door handles, some of the trim and the flimsy looking split level glove box.

The extras are reasonably priced and it will only cost you £150 for heated front seats, £105 for roof rails and £160 for cruise control.

The panoramic roof is more expensive, at £560 while the rear parking sensors will set you back £250.

What made no sense to me was that it will cost you £55 for a third centre passenger headrest on a top spec model and £45 for a spare wheel, for a car that costs more than £15,000.

A real triumph of this car (apart from the obvious space) is the superb 1.6-litre diesel, which is very economical and  feels extremely lively.

My personal challenge was to move the electronic fuel gauge. It took more than 100 miles to knock the first block off and the fuel seemed to go on and on, with a 500 plus mile tank range. But floor the pedal and there is decent acceleration on tap. The handling is also surprisingly good for a high-sided vehicle.

In the safety stakes the Roomster is a very good performer. It has achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP rating for adult passenger protection, four stars for child safety and two stars for the pedestrian test.

It also comes equipped with three-point seat belts with pre-tensioners, six airbags including driver, passenger, side and curtain and triple reinforcement on the door sills, pillars and doors themselves.