Skoda Scala review

Prices start from £20,120 for the 1.0-litre petrol with the lower output that you don’t want, and £20,920 for the upper powered variant that you do. You’re looking at a £22,395 for the 1.5-litre four pot, if that floats your boat.

Monthly payments start at around £225 for the 1.0-litre petrol, with the higher output variant only £10 a month extra. The range-topping 1.5-litre starts from around £255, on a four-year agreement with a £5k initial payment.

WHAT TRIM LEVELS ARE AVAILABLE?

With manufacturers still prioritising higher profit options amidst partsageddon, your current available trim levels consist of SE, SE Technology, SE L, and the highest-spec Monte Carlo. 

That means that even in its most basic of specifications the Scala comes pretty well equipped, with highlights including 16-inch alloys, an eight-inch touchscreen, cruise control, rear parking sensors, and a ‘jumbo box in the front centre console’, whatever that may be.

The SE Technology – aimed at business drivers – gets chrome window surround details, rear LED lights, the top-spec 9.2-inch infotainment system, and front and rear parking sensors, while the SE L adds 17-inch alloys, electric door mirrors, privacy glass, digital dials, dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera and a smattering of chrome detail to the dashboard, door panelling, gear and handbrake.

The range-topping Monte Carlo edition, aimed at ‘stylish’ younger buyers, introduces black 18in alloy wheels, 10.25in digital instrument cluster, a panoramic glass roof and extended tailgate glass design, plus black roof spoiler, radiator grille and Skoda tailgate lettering.

WHAT’S THE BEST SPEC?

The Scala really is best suited to modest specification and fitness-for-purpose, anything else is just gilding the lily. We reckon your best bet is the three-pot 1.0-litre with the higher output (112bhp), six-speed manual in the mid-range SE L trim, which gets you the better infotainment screen and handy rearview camera.

That hits the market at £23,085. Sounds a little pricey, but there’s plenty of standard kit, and it’s the best compromise for ease-of-use and general goodness. Nice.