John Kendall reports back on our new Škoda Scala long-termer.

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P11d (BIK): £22,055 (28%) MPG/CO2: 50.4-42.8mpg/128-149g/km Test MPG: 49.2mpg

Scala comes straight from the Škoda Playbook – a bit bigger than the Fabia, but with a cavernous interior for its size. There is plenty of leg room for a six-feet tall passenger to sit behind a six-feet tall driver while with all rear seats in use, Scala offers 467 litres of boot space, expanding to 1,410 litres. It will even carry a 3.2m long ladder in the boot. OK, it’s a telescopic ladder, but it fits neatly across the boot.

Our test car is a generously equipped Scala SE L, one step down from the range-topping Monte Carlo. Equipment includes 17-inch alloys, cornering front fog lights, privacy glass, electric folding door mirrors, LED rear lights with dynamic indicators, fabric/microsuede upholstery, dual-zone climate control, colour multifunction trip computer, keyless entry and start, rear centre armrest, satellite navigation with 9.2-inch colour touchscreen and virtual cockpit.

Our test vehicle also comes with just under £3,000 worth of extras, including full LED headlights with adaptive front light system, drive mode select, front and rear parking sensors and metallic paint.

In short it’s a brilliant family car, comfortably accommodating four adults on a long trip, while the 150hp TSI petrol engine delivers diesel-like fuel consumption, or sprightly performance. Now, if only there was a vRS version…