Skoda Scala - Engines, performance and drive

The Skoda Scala occupies the same class as fellow MQB-platformed Volkswagen Group cars like the SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf, but is actually built on the company’s smaller MQB A0 platform – the same one that underpins the VW Polo, Audi A1 and SEAT Arona. Like the other cars it shares a platform with, the Scala uses torsion-beam rear suspension. This setup costs less to make and doesn’t impact rear boot space compared with more complex multi-link systems. Plus, cheaper versions of the Leon, Octavia and Golf use a similar setup anyway.

What is the Skoda Scala like to drive?

In town

The ride on the examples we’ve tried with 17-inch wheels can send shudders through to the interior when going over bigger pot holes, but it generally copes well with urban speed bumps. The ride with smaller 16-inch wheels fitted to entry-level SE Edition soaks up the bumps even better.

The Scala is easy to drive with light steering to help when manoeuvring into a tight car parking space. Good all-round visibility should mean you won’t have to rely as heavily on the standard-fit rear parking sensors and reversing camera as you do in the Mazda 3.

You may need to call on the slick manual gearbox quite often in the entry-level 94bhp 1.0-litre petrol, because it has just enough pace to keep up with traffic, but don’t expect to be winning the traffic light Grand Prix with it.

On A- and B-roads

The Scala’s suspension, when specced with 16-inch wheels, is very well judged at higher speeds and rides just as well as an equivalent Volkswagen Golf. The suspension makes a bit more noise over bumps than its German counterpart, but it provides an impressively comfortable ride for a car of this price.

It also provides greater control of body movements over undulating roads or during cornering than the softer Citroen C4. The springs and dampers of the Scala can even handle a mid-corner bump without losing its composure like its C4 rival, helping the Scala to feel stable and sure-footed at higher speeds. 

The light steering of the Scala feels precise enough for what most family hatchback buyers require. Those looking for more fun behind the wheel will be better served by the Ford Focus or Mazda 3, although you will have to pay more for that privilege.

We recommend upgrading to the more potent 114bhp 1.0-litre petrol compared with the 94bhp version, because the former has the extra performance needed to cope with a car load of people without having to work the engine or gearbox hard.

On the motorway

Stability is excellent at higher speeds, and refinement is up to the class standards. Following on from our earlier advice, we’d recommend going for the 114bhp 1.0-litre because it comes with a six-speed manual rather than the five-speed of the 94bhp version. That extra gear helps keep the revs down and further improve refinement.

The more potent 148bhp 1.5 has little trouble getting up to speed when merging onto a busy motorway and is flexible enough to pass slower-moving lorries without having to change down a gear.

Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed

The Skoda Scala has a fairly basic engine line-up made of two petrols, although the smallest 1.0-litre is available in two different power outputs: 94bhp or 114bhp. If you want the most powerful Scala, there’s the 1.5-litre with 148bhp. 

The lower-powered 1.0-litre version needs a lengthy 10.8 seconds to reach 62mph from a standstill and is only offered with a five-speed manual gearbox. The more potent 114bhp variant manages 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds, has a 126mph top speed, and comes with a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic. The 1.5-litre improves on those figures with an 8.2-second 0-62mph time and a 137mph top speed in both manual and automatic forms. 

Despite the punchier performance of the 1.5-litre petrol, we recommend the cheaper, yet still excellent 114bhp 1.0-litre TSI for most buyers. Performance is adequate for most everyday situations thanks to the engine’s decent torque and the Scala’s relatively lightweight.