THE Skoda Scala proves that new-car motoring is a possibility for families on a modest budget.
Renowned for building cars with Tardis-like dimensions, the Czech marque has done it again. Although the Scala is built on the same platform as other superminis in the Volkswagen group, its size is more akin to mainstream family hatchbacks.
Yet its pricing is more in line with smaller cars – starting at £16,595 for a Scala S powered by a 95PS 1.0-litre petrol engine and topping out at just £23,315 for an SE L 115PS 1.6 diesel automatic.
I’ve recently been testing the mid-spec SE with the three-cylinder 1.0 petrol unit tuned to produce a healthier 115PS and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Priced from £18,585, I think this could well be the model many buyers will plump for and it certainly won the approval of my family. My wife liked its handsome looks, including the striking grille, sleek LED headlights, dynamic creases along the body and slimline tail lights.
In addition, the test car came with eye-catching chunky 16in Hoedus Aero black alloys costing £420 and a £1450 exterior design pack providing a panoramic glass roof, smart extended tailgate glass and uprated LED lights.
On a day trip from our home south of Glasgow to Edinburgh, my teenage daughter and her pal remarked on how comfortable and spacious the back of the car was – and we certainly had no complaints up front.
My wife and I found the contemporary cloth seats very supportive and admired the aluminium decor strip on the dashboard and door panels.
There were plenty of storage compartments, with drawers under the front seats, a cooled glovebox and glasses case in the roof liner among them. And the sensibly shaped 467-litre boot puts many larger cars to shame.
The SE comes with the kind of goodies that most drivers and passengers will be looking for – chief among them the Bolero infotainment system with eight-inch colour touchscreen.
This set-up includes DAB radio, Bluetooth, two USB-C ports (so you’ll need an adaptor for older USB cables), Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, as well as eight speakers.
We found it easy to use the mobile phone maps app so we could negotiate the back streets of Edinburgh city centre and it’s also possible to access a variety of vehicle functions via the screen.
Other features of note include cruise control, auto lights and wipers, very good manual air con, electric windows and door mirrors, a brolly in the driver’s door and an ice scraper under the fuel filler cap.
Safety is also well taken care of, with an emergency call service, lane keep assist, front assist to help prevent accidents, hill hold control and rear parking sensors.
The powertrain and suspension also proved well up to the job whether negotiating the capital’s cobbled streets or travelling at speed along the motorway.
I had expected the performance to perhaps be a little unrefined given the three-pot under the bonnet but it was incredibly smooth and quiet. The Scala proved willing for both motorway cruising or overtaking – and that’s backed up by the stats as 0-62mph takes 9.8 seconds and the top speed is 125mph.
Nicely weighted steering helped us negotiate city traffic and stop/start technology ensured we were in the zone of the official average of 44.8 to 49.6mpg – CO2 levels are 113g/km.
Finally, a wide range of reasonably priced options allows buyers to personalise their Scala, adding further to its appeal.
Factfile:
- Model: Skoda Scala SE 1.0 TSI 115PS
- Engine: 1.0-litre petrol
- Power: 115PS
- Top speed: 125mph
- 0-62mph: 9.8 seconds
- Average mpg: 44.8-49.6
- CO2 emissions: 113g/km
- Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles
- Price: £18,585
