Czech the advantage

17 November 2024 | Paul Gover

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The Skoda Scala is light to drive, easy to park, and cheap to run. Photos: Supplied.

The Australian stampede to SUVs of all shapes and sizes has thrown some great cars into the shadows. The Ford Focus and Fiesta have fallen completely out of showrooms and the following for other baby cars, even the Suzuki Swift, is dropping dramatically. So, what about the Skoda Scala?

It’s the compact hatchback in the Czech range, and Skoda has not given up. It’s just had a significant update that includes new safety technology, which is essential for a 5-star ANCAP rating, and a reminder of what people are missing.

In the case of the Scala, it’s light to drive, easy to park, cheap to run, and – honestly – all that most people really need. It misses the big-box styling and sit-up-high driving position of an SUV, but ticks lots of the other boxes.

It’s best to think of it as a Czech-made Volkswagen Golf, since the two companies – Skoda and Volkswagen – are part of the same giant automotive empire and share most of their mechanical bits and pieces.

Skoda clears its own path with distinctive styling, a few ‘‘Easter eggs’’ including an umbrella in the door, and a seven-year warranty.

Pricing for the Scala is good and bad, with the basic car dropping $1100 to $32,90 drive-away, but the flagship Monte Carlo jumping up by $1900 to $43,990. Those numbers can seem a lot to people who grew up with, and were comfortable and happy with, a $19,990 bottom line. But times have changed and just the driver-assistance technology adds around $5000 to the price of any current car.

My drive time was in the Monte Carlo, in bright red, and it was relaxing and fun. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine is a four-cylinder with a reasonable 110 kilowatts and 250 Newton-metres of torque, well up from 85/200 in the basic three-cylinder turbo power plant.

Driving the Monte Carlo is relaxing and fun.

So the Monte Carlo gets along well, although it needs some stirring on uphill climbs, and the seven-speed DSG gearbox is sweet and responsive. The big bonus is claimed economy of 5.6 litres/100 km, although I managed to dip into the 4.8 range during touring.

What’s best about the Monte Carlo is the solid feed and plenty of equipment, including LED headlamps and high-output USB-C charging ports. The infotainment screen is big enough but not overwhelming.

The Skoda Scala interior is not short on space, with ample boot storage capacity while also allowing a smooth coupe-style roofline.

From a size perspective, the front seats have plenty of space and there is room for teens in the back. The shape of the Scala, more like a station wagon than a boxy hatch, also means plenty of boot space while also allowing a smooth coupe-style roofline.

For driving enjoyment, the Scala turns well, stops well and has a firm-ish ride to give it a sporty-ish feel. On the practical front, it is compact in the shopping centre carpark and there is an automated parking system.

It’s all clever stuff and it means the Scala is often overlooked but should not be forgotten. It might not have the styling of an SUV, but it is just as practical in real terms and more efficient and enjoyable. Even if the Scala is not for you, there is plenty of other SUV goodness on the Skoda roster.