Skoda Scala SE Technology gets extra petrol engines

• Now available with 1.0-litre petrol engines
• Only £400 more than SE trim
• No diesel or hybrid option yet

The Skoda Scala SE Technology trim level is now available with two 1.0-litre petrol engine options. Aimed at companies that run large fleets, the Scala SE Technology includes a lot of extra equipment over the SE spec on which it’s based.

The new, less powerful engines mean the SE Technology now has a lower starting price of £18,855, just £400 more than the SE. The P11D value starts at £18,625 and Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax starts at 27%.

Standard equipment includes the upgraded 9.2-inch Amundsen infotainment system with sat nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a year’s subscription to online features. Front and rear parking sensors also make the equipment list, alongside cruise control and LED tail-lights with scrolling indicators. Model-specific 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome window surrounds and a silver dashboard insert mark SE Technology cars out. Skoda says it includes equipment worth £2,100 over the SE trim, which makes it very good value.

The Skoda Scala offers a huge boot given its compact dimensions (467 litres) and it also comes with a range of practical touches, such as an integrated ice scraper in the fuel filler cap.

The newly available 1.0-litre petrol engine has been used extensively throughout the VW Group, and comes in 94 and 108bhp guises. Both manage 53mpg with a manual gearbox, while speccing a DSG automatic on the 108bhp engine sees fuel economy figures drop by around 4mpg.

The equally familiar 1.5-litre petrol engine is said to manage 51.5mpg with a manual, helped by cylinder deactivation that shuts down half the engine, and CO2 emissions are only a little higher. Automatic cars, again, are a little bit less economical, but many buyers will appreciate the convenience.

The Scala SE Technology arguably would be even more appealing to business buyers if it came with a hybrid option. A mild-hybrid 1.0-litre petrol engine can be ordered on the latest Skoda Octavia, and this posts lower CO2 figures despite the Octavia’s larger size. The Octavia is also available as a plug-in hybrid, resulting in very low BiK tax, but it’s much more expensive. It’s likely that the Scala’s platform means these engines aren’t compatible.

See where the Skoda Scala features on our list of the best family cars.