Base spec economy hatch... why am I enjoying it?

[jimmy156]

I have been driving a Skoda Scala for a few days. This is a car I didn't even know existed. Its a golf sized Skoda but based on a Polo platform, apparently.

My car (MkVI GTi) is having a little work done and the garage have got a fleet of these that are literally brand new. sub 100 miles on the odometer brand new.

I was expecting to find it very white-goods like, but I am actually quite enjoying it... Whats going on?

The tiny petrol engine (i'm guessing 3cyl 1.0 turbo, but I don't actually know) is torquey enough at low speeds so that it feels like it gets out its own way, whilst returning 50+ mpg. The car handles fairly sweetly (although the steering is numb)

Interior actually looks quite smart. Nice screen in the middle with wireless car play (never used CarPlay before, definitely going to miss it) back up cameras, cruise etc LED headlights that put mine to shame. If this is what a base spec car is like in 2026, why would you need anything more!

Is it just thats its new and everything is "nice" and I have been driving what turns out to be quite a baggy golf (hence the weekend in the courtesy car) or is this actually a decent vehicle?

[languagetimothy]

some years ago by daily (I also had a cayman S) was a 1.2 psi polo its was reasonable as a daily. a few days it was in for a new timing chain and I had a brand new 1.0 Polo courtesy car probably about 90hp. very quiet and nippy round town, tho probably not on a motorway, easy to just get around and relaxing.

ive just changed my car but the previous one I bought new at the end of 2019 seat Ibiza FR sport manual 6sp 115bp 1.0 three pot. great fun. Chuckable, reasonable handling easy 45MPG and more on a run. its not all about power.

Now driving a new Cupra Formentor. 7sp flappy paddle. only 150Bhp different type of car but enjoying it just generally cruising around and occasionally pushing on a bit. "aah but iv got 400hp in my blah blah"... "ok good for you (pats their head) what you gonna do with that then"

Edited by languagetimothy on Saturday 13th December 22:43

[Pica-Pica]

The Scala is roomier than a Golf in the back, and a better car all round to my mind.

[legless]

My sister has a Scala, and to my eyes it's all the car that anyone would ever need.

It's a reasonably high spec 'Monte Carlo' one with the 150bhp engine, and it's got stuff like a panoramic roof as standard. I genuinely don't understand why you don't see more of them around.

[irc]

Base spec often has the real world advantage of pothole capable wheels - 17" wheels rather than 18" or 19" .

[LightweightLouisDanvers]

Currently sitting in the predecessor to the Scala, the Rapid, we have several of them in work with the 1.6 tdi engine. Great little cars and about 60 mpg in the diesels.

[bloomen]

I hired one in Ireland.

Real handbrake, real car key and a manual gearbox. I'm surprised they dared to offer it to the renting public.

I didn't mind it at all, but my arse started to die in a way that rarely happens in any car.

irc said:

Base spec often has the real world advantage of pothole capable wheels - 17" wheels rather than 18" or 19" .

There's no way I'd pay my own money for larger wheels if there are smaller ones available. If it wasn't available on that actual variation, I'd insist on it or no deal.

[njw1]

It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow..;

A hire car is the fastest car in the world...

Etc...

[raspy]

The mk6 Golf launched in 2009 was a mild facelift of the mk5 (which itself launched in 2004), so no wonder a brand new car in 2025 like the Scala felt different.

[Pica-Pica]

raspy said:

The mk6 Golf launched in 2009 was a mild facelift of the mk5 (which itself launched in 2004), so no wonder a brand new car in 2025 like the Scala felt different.

I sat in both a Golf and a Scala in showrooms as new cars at the same time. The Scala felt better.

[leef44]

I've never heard of these before. I've just looked it up and really like it:
manual handbrake
dials for speed and revs (pre 2025 model)
knobs for heating and vents
spacious
16" wheels are good for potholes and parking

eta: also under 1200kg so fun to drive

Edited by leef44 on Sunday 14th December 01:20

[Dusty964]

legless said:

My sister has a Scala, and to my eyes it's all the car that anyone would ever need.

It's a reasonably high spec 'Monte Carlo' one with the 150bhp engine, and it's got stuff like a panoramic roof as standard. I genuinely don't understand why you don't see more of them around.

That's exactly what my parents have.
Plenty quick enough, decent spec, 58mpg on a run.
Really good seats in that spec too.

[jimmy156]

raspy said:

The mk6 Golf launched in 2009 was a mild facelift of the mk5 (which itself launched in 2004), so no wonder a brand new car in 2025 like the Scala felt different.

I wasn’t surprised they were different, but with everything that is said about brand new cars being numb, lack of dials and generally boring I was surprised that I liked it!

[Road2Ruin]

I drove one as a loaner, it was awful. Cheap, gutless and looked council.

[Sheepshanks]

jimmy156 said:

I wasn t surprised they were different, but with everything that is said about brand new cars being numb, lack of dials and generally boring I was surprised that I liked it!

If it is the 115PS engine (6 gears, 95PS has 5) then it's the same as the one in daughter's old Ateca that we kept hold of when she got an EV. It's done 90K miles but drives amazingly well in what is a fair sized SUV. It's not going to win any traffic light Grand Prix but on the move fast A road overtakes are no problem.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Sunday 14th December 09:13

[PovertyPrince]

legless said:

My sister has a Scala, and to my eyes it's all the car that anyone would ever need.

It's a reasonably high spec 'Monte Carlo' one with the 150bhp engine, and it's got stuff like a panoramic roof as standard. I genuinely don't understand why you don't see more of them around.

Everyone with tits wants an SUV - they’re also wquite expensive last time I looked, significantly more than something like a Puma which is probably why they’re fking everywhere - they tick both boxes

[Sporky]

Road2Ruin said:

I drove one as a loaner, it was awful. Cheap, gutless and looked council.

Calling things "council" is frightfully gauche.

[Pica-Pica]

leef44 said:

I've never heard of these before. I've just looked it up and really like it:
manual handbrake
dials for speed and revs (pre 2025 model)
knobs for heating and vents
spacious
16" wheels are good for potholes and parking

eta: also under 1200kg so fun to drive

Edited by leef44 on Sunday 14th December 01:20

... and room for a spare wheel (a cost option).
That's rare nowadays.