Skoda Scala review

You rarely get something for nothing in this world, so while cars are becoming bigger and more sophisticated, they’re also becoming more expensive. Well, at least most of them are, because the Skoda Scala is looking like a potential exception to this rule.

It's a little longer than the Volkswagen Golf and is available with the VW Group’s latest tech. Yet it's priced to undercut not only the Golf, but also other big-name rivals such as the Ford Focus, Kia Ceed and Vauxhall Astra.

If you’re a little confused where that leaves Skoda’s Octavia, that’s perfectly understandable because it too is an attractively priced family car from the fabled Czech manufacturer. But, while the Octavia delivers unmatched interior space, the truth is not everyone wants something quite so big, so Skoda hopes the Scala will complement, rather than undermine, its bigger brother.

The Scala certainly looks quite different. By ditching the Octavia’s saloon-like profile for a proper hatchback silhouette, and gaining a prominent and aggressive front grille, it has a style of its own. What’s more, Skoda says it hasn’t skimped on kit and is offering the Scala with an extensive range of engines, including two 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engines with 94bhp and 113bhp, a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and a 114bhp 1.6-litre diesel. These drive through a six-speed manual gearbox, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is optional with all but the least powerful engine.

Over the next few pages we’ll look at everything you need to know, from what the Scala is like to drive to how practical it is, and we'll reveal whether you should choose one over its rivals. And remember, whichever car you settle on, you can potentially save thousands without the hassle of haggling, when you use our New Car Buying service.