Skoda Scala 2024 review
Photo: Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Skoda Scala has always been the quiet achiever of the family hatchback class, and the 2024 facelift sharpens that formula without diluting what made it good value. Revised front and rear aprons, a redesigned grille and optional LED matrix headlights give it a fresher face, while inside a standard 8-inch digital instrument display and updated 8.2-inch touchscreen bring the cabin up to date. At £22,095 on the road for the entry-level SE, it undercuts the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus by a useful margin while offering more interior space than both.
Where the Scala wins British buyers is packaging. At 4,362mm long it sits between the Fabia and Octavia, yet the 467-litre boot swallows family luggage with ease and expands to 1,410 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded. Rear legroom embarrasses many rivals, and Skoda's Simply Clever touches — an umbrella in the driver's door, an ice scraper in the fuel flap that doubles as a tyre tread gauge, phone pockets in the seat backs — make everyday life with the car that bit easier on the school run or the motorway.
The engine line-up is refreshingly simple: two versions of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI (95PS and 115PS) plus a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI with 150PS for those who want proper pace. The 115PS version with the six-speed manual hits 62mph in 9.8 seconds and returns an official 52.2mpg, while the 150PS car is a genuine 8.1-second hot hatch alternative without the running costs. A five-star Euro NCAP rating from the 2019 test and a standard 3-year/60,000-mile warranty complete a package that remains one of the smartest-value family hatchbacks on UK roads.
Related reviews: Skoda Elroq 2025 review · Skoda Enyaq 2024 review · Skoda Fabia 2024 review
UK price from: £22,095
Specifications
| Engine | 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI / 1.5-litre 4-cylinder TSI turbo petrol |
| Power | 95 PS / 115 PS (1.0 TSI) / 150 PS (1.5 TSI) |
| Torque | 175 Nm (1.0 TSI 95) / 200 Nm (1.0 TSI 115) / 250 Nm (1.5 TSI) |
| 0-62 mph | 9.8 seconds (1.0 TSI 115 manual); 8.1 seconds (1.5 TSI DSG) |
| Top speed | 119-137 mph depending on engine |
| Transmission | 5/6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy | 52.2 mpg WLTP combined (1.0 TSI 115); range 50.7-55.4 mpg |
| CO2 emissions | 115-127 g/km WLTP depending on engine and trim |
| Boot space | 467 litres (1,410 litres with rear seats folded) |
| Kerb weight | Approx 1,125-1,200 kg depending on engine and trim |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles (UK) |
| Insurance group | Group 12-20 depending on engine and trim (Parkers) |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (tested 2019; rating carries over to facelift) |
Features
- 8-inch digital instrument display as standard (10.2-inch on higher trims)
- 8.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB and Bluetooth
- LED headlights; LED matrix headlights available on top-spec models
- Rear parking sensors standard; reversing camera and Park Assist available
- Lane Assist and Front Assist safety systems fitted across the range
- Simply Clever details: door umbrella, ice scraper in fuel flap, ticket holder
- 467-litre boot expanding to 1,410 litres with 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- 16-inch alloy wheels from SE trim; cruise control and manual air conditioning
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake discs and pads set | £119.99 | Typical UK fitted-supply price; popular service item on the 1.0 TSI |
| Timing chain kit (1.0 TSI) | £89.99 | Genuine-equivalent kit; inspect guides when servicing |
| Oil filter | £8.99 | Replace at every 10,000-mile service interval |
| Cabin pollen filter | £14.99 | Every 20,000 miles or 2 years |
| Front wiper blade pair | £24.99 | Aero blades for the facelift windscreen |
| Spark plug set of 3 (1.0 TSI) | £21.99 | Every 40,000 miles on the three-cylinder TSI |
Pros
- Huge 467-litre boot — bigger than a Golf or Focus
- Generous rear legroom and genuinely adult-friendly cabin
- Efficient engines: claimed 52.2mpg for the 1.0 TSI 115
- Sharp UK pricing from £22,095 undercuts key rivals
- Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with strong adult occupant score
Cons
- Cabin plastics feel hard to the touch in places
- No hybrid or diesel option in the facelift range
- Ride on larger wheels can feel firm on rough UK roads
- Resale values trail the very best rivals slightly
