THE Skoda Scala is the new representative of the Czech brand for the C-segment, where cars like the Ford Focus, Renault Mégane or even the “distant cousin” Volkswagen Golf live. It takes Rapid's place, though it doesn't directly replace it — Scala is firmly planted in the C-segment, whereas Rapid is positioned further down.
But isn't Skoda's C-segment the Octavia? Yes, but… The Octavia, due to its dimensions (much larger than the average) and format (two and a half volumes), ends up not “fitting” in the middle of the army of hatchbacks (two-volume bodies) that are the essence of the segment. It's even common to read and hear that you're between two segments — that kind of doubt disappears with Scala.
Intriguingly, the Skoda Scala, based on the MQB A0 platform — a first for the manufacturer — uses the same foundations as the SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, from the segment below.
The generous third side window makes the Scala look like the missing link between the two volumes (hatchback) and the segment's vans.
But Scala is not deceiving. Its dimensions are clearly from the “Golf segment”, as the 4.36 m long and 1.79 m wide attest, or the 2.649 m wheelbase let you guess — it is 31 cm longer than the Polo ( with which it shares the MQB A0), but 31 cm shorter than the Octavia.
What the Scala's more compact dimensions don't let you guess is the space on board — this is very likely the most spacious car in the segment. They sit in the back seat and even if the 1.80 m tall pass “at will”, the Scala has plenty of room — the perception that one gets is that we are in a bigger car.
One of Scala's strongest arguments lies in the space on board. The trunk has a capacity of 467 l, one of the highest in the segment.
The legroom in the back is referential, equivalent to Octavia; there is no lack of height space, even when equipped with the optional panoramic roof; and the trunk, at 467 l, is second only to the largest Honda Civic, but only by a mere 11 l (478 l).
Seated at the front, there is a mix of newness and familiarity. The dashboard design is new to Skoda, but the controls or the infotainment system are easily linked not only with Skoda, but with other products from the immense Volkswagen group. What you lose in individuality, you gain in ease of use and interaction, not requiring great “mental efforts” to know where everything is and reducing levels of distraction.
Interior tending towards the conservative side, but difficult to criticize when it comes to ergonomics.
At the wheel
Time to hit the road, with approximately 200 km separating us from the destination, between Lisbon and Mourão, in Alentejo. Opportunity for the Skoda Scala to demonstrate its skills as a roadster — much of the route would be by highway.
And a good estradista was what Scala turned out to be. Seat and steering wheel (in leather) have adjustments wide enough to find a driving position that suits us, the seat proved to be comfortable even after a longer driving “shift”.
At higher cruising speeds — 130-140 km/h — note for rolling and aerodynamic noise, which remains at acceptable levels. It is not a “Lord of the Autobahn“, but it allowed us to realize that it is more than suited for the long journeys that take place in this vacation period, thanks to the good levels of comfort and refinement.
If you want a sharper and more exciting driving experience, you'd better look elsewhere, but Scala doesn't compromise. Not only is the feel of the controls in a very good plan, revealing adequate weight, very good precision and progressiveness, but the behavior has always proved to be precise and predictable, guaranteeing high levels of confidence at the wheel.
At our disposal were two of the three engines that the Scala will have (for now) in Portugal, the 1.0 TSI of 116 hp and the 1.6 TDI of 116 hp . Both with the very good six-speed manual gearbox — accurate, but with different equipment levels — Style, the highest level, in the 1.0 TSI; and Ambition for the 1.6 TDI. The only thing missing from the call was the 1.0 TSI of 95 hp, an engine that will serve as access to the Scala range.
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In this version of 116 hp and manual gearbox, the 1.0 TSI has revealed itself, for now, in the most interesting proposal. The Volkswagen group's ubiquitous three-cylinder turbocharger is one of the best on the market, almost looking like a higher-capacity naturally aspirated engine. Linear delivery, it does its best in medium regimens, guaranteeing Scala minimally decent benefits for family use.
It's more refined and quieter than the 1.6 TDI I drove back, and it even allows for reasonable consumption, with this trip having stayed with the 6.5 l/100 km , even considering that pro-consumer driving was not practiced.
As the Style, it came equipped with 17″ wheels — 16″ for the Ambition — so what we lost in comfort (not much), we gained a little more in dynamic sharpness.
For consumption, the 1.6 TDI is unrivaled, of course — 5.0 l/100 km , for the same type of driving — and as a “background runner”, especially for the long runs on the highway, it proved to be the ideal partner.
Less pleasant is the experience when the paces slow down and we need to rely more on the snare drum — it's more audible and less pleasant to listen to than the 1.0 TSI, and the apparent lack of torque below 1500 rpm makes its use on urban routes more hesitant.
Of course, the Scala has no lack of "Simply Clever" details, such as the umbrella built into the door...
In conclusion
A robust entry by Skoda into the heart of the C-segment. The Skoda Scala presents a set of strong arguments, above all in terms of space, comfort and price, revealing itself as a mature and homogeneous proposal, without any notable weaknesses.
It is already on sale in Portugal at competitive prices, starting in the 21 960 euros for the 1.0 TSI of 95 hp. The 116 hp 1.0 TSI and 1.6 TDI that we had the opportunity to drive have prices starting at the 22 815 euros and 26 497 euros , respectively.
