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In-depth reviews

Skoda Scala hatchback - Interior & comfort

“Good quality materials and a slick touchscreen impress”

Carbuyer Rating

4.3 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Interior & comfort Rating

4.0 out of 5

As Skoda is a budget-focused brand, the interior of the Scala isn’t the last word in quality, but it is well built. It is worth mentioning, however, that interior quality is markedly better than in the old Rapid because Skoda has placed cheaper materials lower down, so you don’t notice them as much. The main touchpoints, like the door armrests, are made of a more luxurious soft-touch material. Facelifted models from 2023 onwards have further improved in this regard. 

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There’s a lovely strip of trim that spans the whole width of the dashboard, and in our test car it was finished in a light brushed metal effect. The ‘floating’ touchscreen gives the interior a more modern look, and all the controls are exactly where you want them. They’re instantly familiar if you’ve ever sat in another VW Group car and all operate with a satisfying solidness.

The Scala comes with lots of kit as standard – all models offer an infotainment screen, but the entry-level model gets a smaller system along with a smaller digital gauge cluster and no sat nav, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features across the range. Skoda has sensibly decided to keep buttons for the touchscreen shortcuts and the climate controls – aside from certain functions such as the fan direction – so you don’t have to navigate through menus just to change the temperature like you need to in some cars.

Infotainment and navigation

Skoda’s latest model does fairly well on the tech front. Its standard-fit eight-inch digital dashboard (increased to 10.25 inches on higher-spec models) wasn’t even an option in the old Octavia, and the infotainment screen on SE L and above is generously sized at 9.2 inches, with built-in sat nav (entry-level SE gets a simpler eight-inch unit). All models get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, so you can use your phone’s apps for music and navigation if you wish.

Equipment

In terms of equipment, the Scala performs strongly. Choosing the old entry-level SE model doesn’t leave you bereft of kit because you’ll still enjoy 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, LED headlights, cruise control, rear parking sensors and the aforementioned eight-inch screen with solid smartphone connectivity.

Upgrade to the SE L spec and Skoda will throw in 17-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, full LED rear lights with dynamic indicators, front fog lights with a corner function, and some styling upgrades such as chrome window trim.

Monte Carlo trim adds lots of black exterior trim and a sportier look, plus a few red accents inside. There’s also keyless entry, a rear-view camera, panoramic roof, matrix LED headlights and sports seats.

Key features

SE

  • 16-inch alloys
  • Basic LED headlights
  • Eight-inch touchscreen display
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Rear parking sensors

 

SE L

(SE plus…)

  • 17-inch alloys
  • Rear LED lights
  • 9.2-inch touchscreen display
  • Sat nav
  • 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster

Monte Carlo 

(SE plus…)

  • 17-inch alloys
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Matrix LED headlights
  • 9.2-inch touchscreen display
  • Sat nav
  • Sporty styling upgrades

 

 

Options

There's a wide range of colours and alloy wheels to choose from, plus a selection of Skoda lifestyle accessories like roof racks, a reversible boot floor and pet guards. Wireless phone charging and a panoramic sunroof are options, and you can choose the virtual cockpit on SE models for an additional cost. Extra safety features, like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, are also available in the options list.

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Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.0 TSI S 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £17,225

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.0 TSI S 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £17,225

Fastest

  • Name
    1.5 TSI SE Technology 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £24,205

Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

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