Should we buy a Skoda Roomster or KIA Soul 2 for a Motability conversion?

My wife is disabled, and we use a Motability car. She is due to change her car early next year, and must order later this year. We have shortlisted two cars as being very suitable for her needs; the Skoda Roomster SE and the KIA Soul CRDI 1.6 Automatic. With the Skoda we were thinking of the 1.2 TSI engine with the DSG transmission. I have just read your review of the Skoda Roomster, and I saw that you report problems with the TSI engine. I was also a bit doubtful myself about the DSG transmission, because of it's newness and complexity. I wonder if you could be more specific, and offer us some advice on the better car to choose. She is not a wheelchair user, but ease of access to the car is essential, as is an economical automatic transmission.

Asked on 14 July 2010 by jimmo

Answered by Honest John
The 1.2TSI does not seem to be as economical as promised and yes, there are still doubts about the 7-speed DSG. The Soul is less roomy than the Roomster, but the 1.6CRDI does not have a troublesome diesel particulate filter and the standard 4-speed torque converter auto is very well proven.
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