Skoda Scala Review (2019-present)
Skoda Scala cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Roomy inside, with a particularly big boot
Great value for money
Comfortable ride
Cons
Boring to drive
No electric or plug-in hybrid option
Some of the interior plastics look a touch cheap
The CarGurus verdict
The Skoda Scala is one of the best small family cars you can buy. Space, practicality, and value are what this Czech hatchback are all about. Entry-level cars in particular are very affordable compared with most rivals. And even high-spec Scalas are priced to compete against mid-range models from other manufacturers.
The Scala has a great line-up of engines, combining decent performance with impressive fuel economy. If we have a criticism of the engine range, it's that there are no hybrid models. There are some hard-looking plastics here and there in the cabin, but it feels well screwed together and built to last. There's lots of space, too, with far more room in the back than you would find in a Vauxhall Astra. Boot space is generous, too.
What is the Skoda Scala?
If you're looking for a family hatchback, the Scala is possibly the sweet spot in Skoda's line up. The Fabia is too small for many families, while the Octavia is bigger than the norm for a Ford Focus or VW Golf rival. Most car reviews agree that the Scala hits the bullseye between the two.
It's shorter than the Octavia, so it's easier to squeeze into a small parking place. But it still offers more space than you'll find in most Golf rivals, particularly when it comes to rear legroom. And its a huge improvement over the Skoda Rapid Spaceback it replaces.
How practical is it?
It's shorter than the Octavia, so it's easier to squeeze into a small parking place. But it still offers more space than you'll find in most Golf rivals, particularly when it comes to rear legroom. And its a huge improvement over the Skoda Rapid Spaceback it replaces.
There's plenty of room in the front and the driving position is sound, and rear-seat space is among the most generous you'll find. Air vents between the front seats keep those in the back at a comfortable temperature.
Open the tailgate, and you'll discover there's lots of space for bags – the boot capacity is 467 litres. That's much more than you'll find in a Vauxhall Astra (370 litres) or a Volkswagen Golf (381 litres). The rear seats split and fold to leave a handy 1410 litres of luggage space, although there is a significant step to the floor, and no moveable boot floor to level off the step.
Being of a similar size to other midsize family hatchbacks from the VW Group, such as the Golf and the Seat Leon, you might expect the Scala to use the same platform, known as MQB. Not quite. The Scala actually uses a stretched version of the smaller MQB A0 platform that's used for the firm's supermini offerings, including the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo. Yet, it has more space than most rivals regardless.
What's it like to drive?
Skoda has kept things simple with the engine line-up. There are three petrol engines, and a solitary diesel.
The entry-level petrol engine has just 94bhp, but in such a small and light car it doesn't feel underpowered. There's a 114bhp version of the same three-cylinder 1.0-litre TSI engine which is our pick of the range, and a 148bhp 1.4 TSI if you want brisker performance. The diesel is a 114bhp 1.6-litre TDI.
The least powerful petrol engine comes with a five-speed manual gearbox. With the other engines, there's a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG auto.
Even the sporty-looking Monte Carlo version isn't the most exciting car to drive. The Scala handles neatly, but ride comfort is the priority. It smooths over bumpy roads more easily than a Ford Focus, for example. Sports chassis settings are available as an option with the SE L and Monte Carlo, but it still doesn't match the Ford for driver appeal.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
Buyers can pick from S, SE, SE L, and Monte Carlo specification levels. The S is relatively basic, making do with manual air conditioning and a small 6.5-inch touchscreen display. There's also just the one engine, the entry-level 1.0 TSI petrol.
Although the S is keenly priced, we think the SE trim is worth the extra. This spec adds an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, front fog lights, 16-inch alloys, cruise control and lumbar support for the front seats.
There are some worthwhile upgrades if the budget stretches to SE L. There's dual-zone climate control in place of basic air conditioning, a multifunction trip computer, a digital cockpit, and a 9.2-inch touchscreen with sat nav. The alloy wheels grow from 16 inches to 17, and there are chrome highlights to give the interior a lift.
The Monte Carlo is the top-spec, with sportier looks inside and out. Leather details, sports seats, and a panoramic sunroof are among the upgrades.
Skoda Scala running costs
The Skoda Scala is a very affordable car to run. If you want to keep your motoring costs down, the Scala is a good choice.
It may not have any mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, but the Scala is still a fuel efficient car with competitive mpg figures.
The diesel is the most fuel efficient. With a manual gearbox, it returns 54.3-60.1mpg on the combined cycle. The Scala has been tested to the WLTP standard, which is a lot more realistic than the old NEDC test, so the figures should be reasonably close to what can be achieved in everyday driving.
Choosing the DSG rather than the manual makes quite a difference, with official combined figures of 52.3-56.5mpg.
There's not a lot to choose between the two 1.0-litre petrol engines. The 94bhp version has an official combined figure of 44.1-50.4mpg, whereas the 114bhp engine returns 43.5-51.4mpg with a manual gearbox. As with the diesel, opting for the DSG over the manual worsens the mpg. Expect 41.5-47.9mpg, according to the official figures.
Despite its performance advantage over the rest of the range, the 1.5 TSI certainly isn't thirsty. The manual achieves 42.2-47.9mpg in official tests, compared with 42.2-46.3mpg for the DSG auto.
With decent fuel economy across the board, it follows that CO2 emissions are pretty good as well, making the Scala an affordable option for company car drivers.
Insurance bills should be as modest as the fuel bills. The entry-level petrol is in group 10 of 50, rising to group 11 in SE L spec. There's a bit of a jump to group 14 for the 114bhp 1.0-litre TSI. The diesel is in group 13, while the range-topping 1.5 TSI is in group 18-19, depending on the spec.
Skoda allows buyers to choose between fixed and flexible service intervals. The fixed interval is every year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is recommended for drivers who mostly tackle short journeys. Variable servicing is aimed at higher-mileage drivers, with sensors in the engine detecting when a service is needed. A service light will show after between 9000 and 20,000 miles or once every two years.
Skoda Scala reliability
Skoda usually finishes close to the top of reliability and owner satisfaction surveys. So although the Scala is too new for any definitive judgement to be made, there's no reason to expect it to be less reliable than any other Skoda model.
If there is a problem, it should be covered by Skoda's three-year/60,000-mile new car warranty. Buyers can pay to upgrade the warranty so it lasts for five years or 100,000 miles. This brings it into line with the cover Toyota offers on the Corolla a standard, and just short of the five-year/unlimited miles warranty on the Hyundai i30. It's still a lot shorter than the seven-year/100,000-mile warranty package that's included in the price of every Kia Ceed.
Some Scala models have been recalled to correct a safety fault. The seams of the seat covers can be defective, impairing the effectiveness of the side airbags. This can increase the risk of injury in an accident. Cars affected by this recall were made between February and September 2019. Almost all cars should have had the necessary fix by now, but you can check with a Skoda dealer or by entering the car's reg number into the recall checker on the gov.uk website. It's worth knowing that the Skoda Approved Used scheme comes with a 12-month warranty.
- The Scala is highly rated by the safety gurus at Euro NCAP. The Czech car scored five stars when tested in 2019, with an adult occupant protection score of 97%, and a child protection score of 87%. Euro NCAP scored pedestrian protection as 81%, and the Scala scored 76% for its safety assistance systems. Lane assist is standard on all spec levels, while a blind spot detection system, which warns the driver of vehicles they may struggle to see in their mirrors, is available as an option. Another extra is high beam control for the headlights, which automatically dips the lights if there is traffic coming from the other direction.
- Skoda likes to include what it calls 'Simply Clever' features in its cars. These are little touches that make life with a Skoda that bit easier or more convenient. In the Scala, these include an umbrella tucked inside the driver's door, and a parking ticket holder on the windscreen. There's also an ice scraper under fuel filler cap, which also acts as a tyre tread depth gauge. If you've ever cursed under your breath when spilling windscreen washer fluid, you'll be pleased to see the integrated funnel in the lid of the windscreen washer tank.
- For an affordable car, the Scala comes with some impressive tech. The Virtual Cockpit replaces conventional dials with a 10.25-inch digital display on SE L and Monte Carlo models. The driver can choose from a number of different views, including one which shows a large colour map directly in front of the driver. It's useful when following sat nav directions. The top-spec Amundsen infotainment system has a 9.2-inch touchscreen, and a 64GB hard drive for map storage. As an optional extra, the system can act as a wi-fi hotspot.
- If you're buying used on a budget: go for the 94bhp 1.0 TSI S. The spec may be relatively basic, but that's reflected in the price. You still get the same comfortable ride, roomy cabin and big boot that make the Scala such a practical small car. And the engine is more willing than you'd expect from its modest capacity and power output. The Scala received a facelift and an update in late 2023, so the S is no longer on sale.
- If you want the best all-rounder: choose the Skoda Scala SE (pre-facelift) or, if you're buying new, SEL Edition with the 114bhp 1.0-litre TSI engine. For a little more than the basic S spec (pre-facelift models) or SE (which is the entry-level trim in the current range), your money buys some worthwhile equipment upgrades. What's more, the more powerful of the two 1.0-litre petrol engines is more at home on A-roads and motorways than the entry-level petrol. Why spend more?
- If you want a sporty Scala: pick the 148bhp 1.5 TSI Monte Carlo. The range-topping petrol engine is the quickest Scala by some margin. What's more, the Monte Carlo's styling changes give the car a lot more personality than the anonymous-looking standard car. Thanks to clever cylinder deactivation technology, the 1.5 TSI is only slightly thirstier than the less powerful petrol models.
- If you're a high-mileage driver buying used: choose the 114bhp 1.6 TDI, which was only available with pre-facelift models. Diesel may be out of favour these days, but it's hard to beat for fuel economy on the motorway. The 1.6-litre diesel is strong enough for respectable performance as well as excellent fuel economy. Stick with the manual gearbox rather than the DSG auto for the best mpg.
