Skoda Scala review

In terms of an innocuous, practical family hatch, the Scala does a very solid job. It rides well on its smaller wheels and goes, stops and steers exactly as you’d like it to. It’s quiet enough, the steering is light (albeit slightly numb), the brakes are strong.

It’s even pretty good fun if you want it to be (in context, people), though none of the engines or suspension options are really set up for on-the-limit thrills, even with the Monte Carlo trim’s Sport chassis electronics package which can fettle damping, throttle and engine response. Money pointlessly spent, that. In its more dynamic mode the ride arguably becomes too tough anyway.

Which engine is best?

The 148bhp four-cylinder is the blunt answer to that question and allied to the DSG automatic (a £1,350 option) it feels brisk and really rather fun if you opt to flap through its seven gears yourself. It stops short of being a wannabe hot hatchback, a vRS-lite, but it proves the VW Group's MQB platform has always been one with decent dynamics in mind. But it’s not really the point of something like the Scala, adding cost and complexity to a relatively simple recipe.

Thus we reckon the best variants in the range are the three-cylinder options, particularly the larger output that gets you a six-speed manual gearbox (with DSG a tempting option we’d not begrudge you). The manual itself is ridiculously easy to use and the engine is gently characterful and with enough muscle to potter around reasonably effortlessly: 0–62mph in 9.5 seconds is respectable and you get decent flexibility.

Overtakes and slip roads don’t call for riotous downchanging, thankfully, and 45mpg or so is achievable over a tank of fuel. Think 35-40mpg around town, and then mid-40s or slightly higher on a motorway cruise. As long as you're not wearing your heavy shoes.

While the Monte Carlo spec car looks great, saving money with base SE spec also snares you smaller wheels and better ride quality.

So, no other engine options?

There used to be a 1.6-litre diesel which proved to be well insulated noise-wise and added around 10mpg to everyday driving. However, it’s gone due to a lack of demand and the vastly changing marketplace around it. But no hybrids or electric options have stepped into the space it’s vacated: expect a small, fully electric Skoda to land in 2025 wearing a different badge entirely.