Second report: Our Skoda Scala hatchback hits the right record, mostlyScala is a hit. It's very spacious and suitable for driving, reasonably inexpensive to run, and has an excellent infotainment system. This is just a shame the DSG gearbox is not a little more responsive.
Mileage: 8,896
Economy: 41.0 mpg
Many things came to my mind when I read the word ' Scala ' behind Skoda Auto Express. The Chemical Brothers, Coldplay, The Killers, Deftones, Gorillaz, and Iggy and Stooges all appear in my head, because of the legendary cinema-turning-music-place at King's Cross London.
With so much genealogy and history behind him, the place of Scala seldom disappointed, and I found that the namesake managed to reach almost all the right notes as well. It's close to delivering a remarkable performance – although it might just be a little bit too boring to stay in a regular playlist.
As well as decent bands or artists, appearances, presence, and style are always an essential part of the package when selling yourself to the masses, and I feel Skoda has done a great job here. Even with a pure root brand, the DNA design of the remaining current range comes well, thanks to its sharp folds and shapes on the body. The big back window is one of my favorite details; I think that it helps to create the right attitude, especially when it moves.
The interior design is a continuation of the outside because it makes excellent use of the material though it is built for the budget. Overall feel minimal yet functional; It's simple, but smart, as Skoda might say.
That's the first part of the audition passed, then, but what about the drive? Like almost every car on the MQB platform that I've tried, the Scala is well sorted in this regard.
It's an excellent ride and exciting enough for me on a winding road, but unfortunately, Skoda hits a little bit of Bum's note with its DSG gearbox. It's not quite responsive and doesn't change quickly when you need a burst of speed. However, when that happens, you often have more throttle applied than you need, adding the pain to the Scala driving experience.
It is exacerbated by the stop-Start system, which is also slow to react. This makes pulling away from the intersection and a slightly cultivated roundabout – which is frustrating at times, especially on a long journey. You can use the manual mode to lighten the problem a bit, but if I change the teeth myself, I prefer having a manual gearbox (which is cheaper, too).
One thing I loved so far Infotainment. It has an excellent simple interface; Everything is easy to find and navigate through, Apple CarPlay loads fast, and the screen itself is responsive and sharp. This sometimes lags on the input, but Skoda publishes a software update soon; We'll see if this improves with the new version. The speakers at the Scala were decent, but nothing more – they certainly didn't remind me of the set-up music venue, but they weren't bad for an affordable little car like this.
The passenger room is a strong point at Skoda. I have found that there is enough room for four adults to travel comfortably on a long journey; At least, my friend didn't complain about anything.
Panorama Sunroof is also very helpful because it creates a more spacious nuance for anyone on the backbench. This is an unusual feature in a car like this, so it seems pretty classy. There is enough space in the cabin for essential travel items, and booting is one of the top-selling points for me. At 467 liters, it defeated the Volkswagen Golf 380 liter and the Ford Focus ' 375 liters. Those rivals are more expensive as for that as well.
This large luggage Area is excellent for carrying work-cameras, lamps, and tripod-I, but also during the Christmas holidays; it is ideal for transporting various bits between family and friends.
I have primarily used Scala to travel to and from photoshoots to Auto Express, so I often find myself alone in the car. However, it is always great to know that if I need to carry additional passengers, there will be no problem with space.
However, despite all the positive things Scala, I have no ties with it as much as you imagined. There is no doubt that this is a very competent car in every vital area, but it's just a little bit too anonymous – maybe even boring – to win me.
So does it give impressive performance? Well, it is not enough there, especially in the form of DSG. Lighter paint colors will also help.
First Report: Skoda Scala
All-New Skoda Scala Hatch will fight in a crowded class of rivals accomplishedMileage: 5,340
Economy: 40.0 mpg
This week we welcomed our ALL-New model to our test fleet. Unlike many of our cars that are currently running long term, Scala Škoda is in the first generation, so it has a lot to prove.
Just as the name suggests (Scala is from Latin for stairs or stairs) The Czech models not only need to prove it can fit the best in its class but also have to establish itself as a new name. You could say it has mountains to climb.
Our Scala is the most reliable model you can buy: the 1.5-liter gasoline unit with a turbocharger has 148bhp. It matches the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which helps the car get from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds. It's not bad, and Scala feels nippy, but we already manage 40mpg in normal driving. We hope that to rise when we add more miles of highway to Tachometer; The combined number claimed 45.6 MPG looks likely after our first month by car.
We are driving Scala in SE Trim, which is an entry-level car with this powertrain (there is a basic S model, but there is only one engine: 1.0-liter TSI). It's still very well equipped, and the eight-inch Bolero Infotainment system is one of the highlights. The large screen looks impressive even before you activate it, but the graphics that look modern and useful features are the best bits.
It's also responsive, which makes using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay (both standard) very easy. We are happy to use this smartphone-based system-they are very well designed and allow you to access the main functions on your phone, the most crucial navigation because Scala has no built-in system in SE specifications. That's not a problem for most of us in the Auto Express office, though, because we all have smartphones for the plugin.
Another modern touch in the cab is the USB-C port in front of the dashboard, with an adapter for the old USB connector. It's a small thing, but as more devices start using a new smartphone and a standard laptop, it doesn't help for future-proof cars.
Other standard equipments on SE Trim include LED lamps, AEB, track-constantly help, parking sensors, Auto lamps and wipers, air conditioning, and Cruise Control. There is even a spare wheel of Space-Saver, which we know many readers we prefer to fix the kit, as you will find in many of Scala's rivals. This adds a bit of peace of mind that you should take puncture.
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