170mm
45mm
10mm
Centre
1990mm (with mirrors)
3590mm
Typical parking space width (2400mm)
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36 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 3 1 JULY 2019
INTERIOR
AAAAC
In a similar vein to its exterior, the
s upp o s e d l y ne w-a ge de si g n of t he
Scala’s cabin doesn’t represent a big
departure from what we’ve come to
expect from Skoda. Functionality
and utilitarian appeal continue to
b e pr ior it i s e d , how e v e r, a nd t he y
are epitomised by familiar ‘Simply
Clever’ features such as the umbrella
holster in the door and the ticket
holder on the driver’s side A-pillar.
This focus on convenience has long
been a big draw for the brand, and no
doubt it will be for the Scala too.
The 8in touchscreen of our test
car’s Bolero infotainment system is
the standout attraction in what is
an otherwise minimally populated
c a bi n. It s t a nd s f r e e l y t ow a rd s t he
front of a central recess in the dash
fascia, within easy reach of the
driver. The fascia itself is finished
in textured silver panelling, which
extends to the door panels and
helps to inject a degree of colour
i nt o w h at i s a n ot he r w i s e de c ide d l y
monochrome driving environment.
Ambient lighting in various shades
of colour are offered as optional
extras and would be well worth
having for the additional aesthetic
l i f t t he y ’d i nt r o duc e. E l s e w he r e ,
simple dial controls for the manual
air conditioning system sit towards
the base of the centre stack, above a
decently sized storage cubby that’s
also home to two USB-C ports.
That extended MQB-A0 platform
pays dividends when it comes to
i nt e r ior s pa c e , t o o. A lt hou g h t he
Scala’s 2.65m wheelbase is shorter
than that of the Ford Focus, Skoda
has nonetheless been able to liberate
an impressive 770mm of rear leg
room – a figure that trumps the
Focus by 70mm while bettering the
shor t e r G ol f b y s ome 80 m m.
In a testament to Skoda’s nous for
smart interior packaging, the Scala
a l s o of fe r s s up e r ior b o ot s pa c e: w it h
the 60/40 split-folding rear seats
i n pl a c e , t h i s s t a nd s at 4 67 l it r e s ,
e x t e nd i n g t o 1410 l it r e s w it h t he s e at s
folded down. By comparison, the Golf
and the Focus come up short, with
respective seats-up storage capacities
of 380 litres and 375 litres.
PERFORMANCE
AAAAC
You’d expect few bargain-hunting
Scala buyers to stump up for the
car’s range-topping petrol-auto
powertrain combination, but those
who do won’t get less value for money.
It’ll be the 1.5 TSI’s role within the
wider Scala engine line-up to be
the refined, slick, unobtrusive and
well-mannered option in the range.
L e s s s o i n t h i s c a r, p e rh ap s , w i l l it b e
required to set a particularly sporting
mark for outright acceleration –
although an authoritative turn of
speed clearly won’t hurt.
The range-topping Scala fulfils
that remit pretty well, while even
punching a little above its weight ◊
Pedals are sensibly spaced
for a comfortable driving
position which isn’t affected
by th e s l i g ht r i g ht- h a n d of f s e t
of the steering wheel. Good
adjustability in seat and
steering column, too.
HEADLIGHTS
Test car came with basic
automatic LED headlights
and tail-lights as standard.
Unfortunately, we didn’t
get the chance to test these
lights after dark.
PARKING
DIMENSIONS
z Spacious cockpit hits all the right notes in terms of ergonomics but doesn’t feel
quite as plush as Skoda would have set out to achieve with the new design.
z Scala’s wheelbase isn’t particularly long, but it bests both the Golf and the Focus
for rear leg room – and by a considerable margin, in fact.
Typical legroom
770mm
Height 580-800mm
Width 1020-1300mm
Length 810-1630mm
z At 467 litres, boot volume is right at the top of the class and again comfortably
betters that which rivals from Ford and Volkswagen can manage.
2649mm
Kerb weight: 1200kg
4362mm
(^14)
7
(^1) m
m
843mm 870mm
108
0 m
m^ m
ax
77
0 m
m
9
50
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10
20
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m
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ax
467-
1410 litres
0.31
WHEEL AND PEDAL
ALIGNMENT
Weights and measures