Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
Engine, 0-60mph and gearbox
The Skoda Scala engine range starts with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that comes in two states of tune: 94bhp (TSI 95) and 109bhp (TSI 110). The TSI 95 is fine, but in a car this size, it can feel a little flat. We recommend the TSI 110, which is a cracking engine. It has enough low-end shove to keep up with the flow traffic with relative ease, plus decent overtaking power (0-62mph takes 10.1sec). It has the pace over the 1.0-litre Kia Ceed and is our pick of the Scala range.
If you have a bit more money to spend, we'd completely understand if you stepped up to the 148bhp 1.5 TSI 150 petrol. For those looking to carry lots of people and luggage, its added zip will be just the ticket. It really is quite quick, with 0-62mph in just 8.2sec.
For absolutely the best ride in this class, you'll need a Volkswagen Golf with optional adaptive DCC suspension. That combo is way more expensive than the Scala, though.
Handling
The Scala delivers more grip, come rain or shine, than the Mazda 3, and that grip is better balanced front to rear than it is in the Ceed.
There's a fair amount of body lean, so while the Scala handles tidily, it never flits through bends as keenly as the Focus and Seat Leon – the benchmarks for enthusiastic drivers.
Still, there's a sense of precision to the Scala's steering and it builds weight progressively, giving you the confidence you need when guiding it along tight and twisty country lanes. Again, it just lacks the Focus's delicate and intricate sense of connection to the road.
