We wave a fond adieu to the Scala as a six-month stay shows its budget-friendly capabilities.

Model: Škoda Scala SE Technology 1.0 TSI 110PS

P11d (BiK) £22,030 (29%) Economy 53.4mpg CO2 emissions 120g/km  On Fleet 43.3mpg

Report 6:

As our Škoda Scala departs us, I think it’s somewhat fitting that it’s proved an essential part of everyday life right to the end.

Duties in the last few weeks have included collecting a Freecycled dog kennel to house a hobo fox during the storms – it was a sizeable, cumbersome thing and the hardest part was lugging it to the car. Getting it in the boot was a doodle thanks to the ample space. Meanwhile, a last-minute tip trip following an impromptu garage clear-out was made easy thanks to the capabilities of the Scala’s boot.

Our Scala has taken all elements of family life over the last six months

Cabin space has remained a particular bonus too – not many cars in this price point and segment would have oodles of headroom left above lanky teenagers.

Our 110hp 1.0 TSI has continued to provide a balanced blend of performance and economy, able to hold its own when pulling away or on motorways. While my predominantly urban mileage means I’ve been getting combined figures in the 40s, it’s easy on more mixed journeys to get economy into the 50s, or higher if it’s mainly motorway usage. Longer stints behind the wheel have repeatedly shown that the driving experience is comfortable and relaxed while visibility is excellent.

Criticisms have been few and far between and on the petty side. The cupholders are still too small for my gym bottle or a Costa medium. And a Halloween family outing that involved a fumy traffic jam near Salisbury city centre led me to discover that you can’t have the air con on and the recirculation button activated simultaneously. It’ll do one or the other, but not at the same time. It’s the first time I’ve noticed this and it seems rather strange.

I also had the software update reminder on the infotainment system pop up again in the last few days, but despite actually pressing okay this time as I’d just literally arrived home, nothing happened. Over to you, Škoda technicians.

That aside, I’ve also been having a last-minute play with the top-spec Amundsen infotainment system and 9.2-inch touchscreen in our version of the Czech family car – I love the crystal-clear menus and the standout graphics that have made this easy to use on the move. And the fact that there’s physical dials and buttons for air con – and the fast-acting heated seats, which were suddenly been pressed into use, although the Simply Clever ice scraper was never brought out.

I think the thing that’s flabbergasted me the most is just how pristine the Scala is on leaving us. This is a car that’s taken all elements of family life over the last six months, from slimy dog kennels to muddy wellies and family holidays, and yet its hardwearing interior cleaned up well after its latest exploits and looked as good as the day it was delivered (well, almost).

Of course, its reliability, economy, practicality and hardwearing capabilities are key attributes for many a fleet car too and I’m only surprised that I’ve not seen more around, leading me to conclude that it’s a hidden gem, overlooked in the chase for crossovers and SUVs but well worth considering.

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The raked tailgate and sweep of glass help the Scala stand out in a packed family hatchback marketplace

A new car is always a trigger for seeing far more of that particular make and model out on the roads but in Lancashire there’ll be a few more Scala hatches out on the beat now following Škoda’s latest fleet deal.

It’s supplying the county’s police force with more than 90 Scala hatches as standard response ‘beat’ cars; part of a 120-strong overall Škoda order. All were chosen for being reliable, dependable cars that fitted the bill (if you pardon the pun) perfectly – the “right car at the right price”.

It’s something that’s been very much apparent during our test of the family hatch – and the online comments in response to our tests show that Scala drivers, as with many Škoda owners, are staunchly loyal to the model and brand.

Separately, the brand has announced a mid-life revamp for the Scala (and the Kamiq sister crossover model) this summer. It’s the first facelift for the Scala, which launched in 2019, and adds in new technology and typical mid-life styling tweaks, which I’m sure will go down well with most. The Scala isn’t the most flamboyant of models but I particularly like the raked tailgate and its sweep of glass, which do help it stand out.

Engine line-up is being carried over, including our mid-rung 1.0 TSI 110hp – a quick check with Škoda’s press office confirms that this is in fact the most popular engine, which makes sense given its balanced mix of efficiency and power, which have been proven again with some recent long-distance journeys.

Meanwhile, the recent heatwave gave me a sudden panic that the kids might not be getting the same benefit from the Scala’s excellent aircon as me – but they assured me it was reaching them just fine from the vents in the front centre armrest. And a few minutes sitting in the back on the driveway proved this. It also reminded me just how spacious the Scala is in the back. And practical – I hadn’t fully taken in the coat hooks on the B-pillars before. Which led me to look again at all the other versatile features such as the hooks in the boot. It honestly is like the gift that keeps on giving.

However, while I first said that it wasn’t too far to access the handbrake (located nearest the front passenger as a hangover from right-hand drive markets) a few long journeys with portly passengers have made me realise it’s a bit awkward to reach over to.

I seem to have well and truly got used to the lane assist though, despite having thought it was a bit OTT at first. On the whole, it seems to walk the fine line between under- and over-intrusive and is more subtle than some. In fact, it’s one of the first times I’ve genuinely thought the feature helpful in a car. However, I’ve admonished it a few times when it’s told me to drive in the centre of the lane when I already am, although it’s always on roads with vague or non-existent centre markings.

One tiny niggle – the infotainment screen keeps telling me that a software update is needed. But it’s always when I’m driving and when I press the button to accept it, it tells me it can’t be done on the move. By the time I’m stationary, the alert has gone and I’ve forgotten all about it until the next time it pops up on the move…

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The annual Middleton holiday is always a handy test of the family credentials of any car.

Three generations, excessive luggage packing (partly to save any unnecessary trips once we’re there) and lots of ‘killing two birds with one stone’ in a good way, seeing friends and family while in the local area.

We’ve subjected many Škodas to this trial by jury over the year – and all have performed highly thanks to the brand’s omnipresent combo of practicality, handy onboard features, good levels of equipment, robust interiors and capacious space; regardless of model.

This summer it was the Scala’s turn – and, as I’d already expected, it proved more than up to the task.

First to face the ultimate test was boot space. Now, with 467 litres up to 1,410 litres (VDA) of luggage room, the Scala is no supermini and it actually trumps many family hatch rivals, but we don’t travel light: 2x suitcases, 2x holdalls, 1x wheelchair, 1x walker, various boxes of food, plus presents to deliver.

This even stumped me and I thought at one point that I might have to leave the 60:40 seats folded down on the smaller side and see how much my children can actually tolerate each other, but some half an hour later of luggage shunting, I fitted it all in by removing the parcel shelf and shoving a suitcase between the kids’ seats, Berlin Wall style. I even made use of the cubbies in the boot behind the wheel arches. These are always a godsend and the Scala’s removable dividers help keep things secure but I did miss the removeable boot torches seen in other models. All in all, a big thumbs up to the Škoda for storage.

Cabin space was also put to the test too; all of us, not just the kids, seem to be growing wider but the Scala accommodated everyone well and I remain impressed by its leg and headroom in the rear, even in the middle rear seat where it’s more limited.

The 9.2-inch touchscreen in our top-rung Amundsen infotainment system is clear to see and quick to use, which was much appreciated when needing to double-check relatives’ navigation instructions quick. As mentioned before, the physical dials for the air con are also a godsend.

On the many country roads we travelled, the Scala rode well and cushioned the impact from rough surfaces and potholes. We also found visibility excellent, even to the rear despite thickish B- and C-pillars.

But perhaps the best bit was that the Škoda, despite its ordeal, came out looking unscathed thanks to its hard-wearing interior.

Over the whole trip, we averaged 50.6mpg across mixed routes despite being well laden for a lot of it; only a smidge under the official 53.4mpg and further reinforcing the Scala’s eco focus.

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With prices starting from £20,800, the Scala may be budget-focused, but the interior doesn’t feel low rent in terms of quality or equipment.

There is a mix of plastics; look lower down and there’s some harder materials but the dashboard is soft touch and generally condition feels good and robust. Design is low key but with some flourishes. The seat upholstery is lifted by panelling and contrasting stitching and there’s plenty of chrome detailing including a full-width dashboard bar – it’s not got the standout factor of some but it’s certainly not bland. The seats are supportive and comfy too. It all feels like it could easily keep pace with everyday work/family life – in fact, it already is.

The equipment list also comes with a fair amount of goodies. Our SE Technology model is very much aimed at fleet drivers and gets the top-spec Amundsen infotainment system with 9.2-inch touchscreen and satellite navigation, voice control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, cruise control, manual air con with pollen filter, front and rear parking sensors, 16-inch alloys, leather multifunction steering wheel and lane assist. There’s the odd surprise, such as no keyless ignition, but otherwise it’s all very sound. Much to my happiness, there’s a space saver spare wheel too.

As with a growing number of cars these days, the Scala only comes with USB-C ports, but Škoda helpfully provides an adapter and the ports are handily located just in front of the gear stick. There’s two of them too, which is a big help.

The infotainment system is easy to use and pleasingly there’s physical dials located under for air con – which are well used at the moment!

One thing I’m not sure of is the gesture control on the radio – I couldn’t work out why the radio kept changing stations every time I got to the end of my road and indicated. I thought I must be hitting the steering wheel controls without noticing and was confused for a bit but eventually put two and two together. It is, however, proving a hit with the kids to show their magical powers to friends.

I’m also not a fan of the speedo. It’s set with 20mph markers and goes up in 4mph increments in-between – which means it’s hard to see 30/50/70mph at a glance and I do find myself going past speed cameras in built-up areas and motorway roadworks on a bit of a wing and a prayer.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Škoda without a handful of quirkily useful Simply Clever features – there’s the familiar A-pillar ticket holder and integrated umbrella but the traditional ice scraper in the fuel filler flap now gets a tyre tread depth gauge and there’s an integrated funnel in the lid of the windscreen washer tank.

All of which will be put to the ultimate test with a Middleton family holiday next week.

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Forget range anxiety, I think I have boot space anxiety. It’s a problem exacerbated by years of carrying around excess gubbins, in case we suddenly need a picnic blanket, swimming stuff or a bucket and spade. And also down to years of covering for every eventuality on family holidays – the year that I triumphantly produced a hitherto unused kite on a cold and windy beach in France being a case in point.

Ahead of our switch from the long-term Karoq SUV to the Scala, I had visions of having to jettison the boules set, spare fleeces or the badminton racquets and a subsequent slight panic. But no such problem! First glances from when the car arrived showed that stowage wasn’t going to be an issue and, in fact, I’m positively revelling in the onboard space; as mentioned in the first report, the Scala’s 467 to 1,410 litres of boot space rival many in the sector. Fold the 60:40 rear seats down and there’s a slight step up but they’re quick to activate. The Scala also has a plethora of bag hooks and tie down points to stop boot contents rattling around, plus the cubbies behind the wheel arches, which have proved a godsend in the past. Drivers can also opt for an optional variable boot floor.

The cabin has plenty of storage too; a total of 26 litres in fact. One slight niggle is that while it’s great having two cupholders, they’re the same size and too small for some cups/water bottles that we’ve tried them with. I have to put my gym water bottle on the front seat. The handbrake is also located over on the front passenger side too, albeit not far to reach over.

We remain impressed by the space in the rear seats. I sat in the back of the Skoda for a brief spell the other day, much to the confusion of a teenager passing by me on the pavement, and found there really is knee and head room to spare, even for my teenage son who seems to grow an inch a week at the moment.

Our 110hp 1.0-litre engine continues to prove its value at the fuel pumps, achieving consumption in the 50s on longer journeys with little effort. Our 41.3mpg average economy is short of the 53.4mpg average but that’s with a 28mph average speed in predominantly urban conditions. And a lot of onboard clutter too…

The Scala sits between the Fabia and Octavia, and delivers on space, value and practicality

Report 1:

Following the departure of the Karoq midsize SUV, we’ve stayed with Škoda but switched to the C-segment for our Scala long-termer. And as with all our Škoda test drives of late, it’s proving a pleasant surprise already.

Launched in 2019, the Scala sits between the Fabia and Octavia, replacing the Rapid to bring a more direct challenger to main players such as the Focus and Astra. Since then, it’s won plaudits and awards aplenty for its space, practicality and value – all of which have been clear from the start of our test.

It’s based on the MQB-AO platform, an evolution of the modular MQB architecture used for the VW Golf and Škoda Octavia in the same class as the Scala but actually developed for smaller vehicles such as the SEAT Ibiza and VW Polo. Despite this, the Scala is actually larger than many of its C-segment rivals – delivering boot space of 467 litres up to 1,410 litres (VDA) with the rear seats folded. Rear leg and headroom are also benchmarks in the segment – six-footers needn’t worry about space here.

Such attributes are of course key components of the Octavia proposition too but the Scala is positioned to sit nicely under its larger family car sibling – both in terms of size and price – to provide a complementary compact option. It’s also only available as a hatchback, unlike the Octavia. OTR prices start from £20,800 – slotting it above the £18,600 entry point of the smaller Fabia and below the £24,540 of the Octavia hatch but also positioning it very attractively compared to rivals.

Engine line-up focuses solely on conventional petrols; there’s no hybrids nor a fully electric option and the sole diesel at launch has since been dropped. The three petrols are familiar Volkswagen Group units and span a 1.0 TSI three-cylinder with 95 or 110hp and a four-cylinder 1.5 TSI motor with 150hp.

Ours is the 110hp three-cylinder married up with the six-speed manual that comes as standard, rather than the optional DSG. It’s a combo that we’ve tested in other models and found to nicely straddle the line between economy and performance. Official fuel consumption is 53.4mpg.

We’re also in the fleet-focused SE Technology spec, preceded by the SE and topped by the Monte Carlo and bringing a lengthy list of equipment.

Already the Scala has shown that it’s a competent, comfortable and likeable addition to the fleet, delivering many merits to support six months of work and family transport.