Skoda Scala (2019) Review
Skoda Scala (2019) At A Glance
Insurance Groups are between 10–14
On average it achieves 88% of the official MPG figure
The Scala is one of the roomiest cars in the class, and also one of the most affordable. You might have to forgive a few iffy interior plastics, and forego some items of luxury kit, but the Scala is a really well-rounded performer in every other area. There is no shortage of excellent competition in the affordable family hatch sector - examples including the Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed, Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus, but the Scala offers buyers something rather different in terms of value.
Skoda is already represented in the compact family hatchback market by the excellent Octavia, so why introduce the Scala as well?
Well, this isn’t a car that’s trying to be a carbon-copy of its outstanding elder sibling. It has its own character, and it’s designed to offer something different. While the Octavia is - and continues to be - popular for providing limousine space for hatchback money, along with loads of luxury kit and a posh-feeling cabin, the Scala caters for different buyers.
Not everyone needs as much space as the Octavia provides, and not everyone cares as much about quality and kit as they do about the pricetag. With that in mind, the Scala is a smaller, more budget-focused offering to satisfy those people who might otherwise be drawn to a Kia Ceed or Vauxhall Astra.
Of course, when we say ‘smaller’, everything is relative. The Octavia is huge inside by class standards, and so the smaller Scala is still one of the roomiest cars in the class, both in the passenger compartment and in the boot.
Yes, you will see evidence of cost-cutting in a few other areas: the interior is trimmed with fairly dull-looking grey plastics, and while lots of equipment is offered, not all that much of it is standard. Still, what do you expect when the pricetag undercuts that of pretty much every rival?
Importantly, you won’t detect any signs of cost-cutting on the road. The Scala is an impressively comfortable and easy-going car to drive, with a comfortable ride, controlled handling and perky and efficient engines.
You’ll also enjoy the fantastic all-round visibility it gives you, the user-friendly nature of all the various controls and the peace-of-mind you get from its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. In fact, quality and kit list aside, the Scala is an exceptionally good all-rounder. And all for a bargain-basement price. If you like the finer things in life, it might not be for you, but when you stand to save thousands, surely it’s worth a look, right?