Name: Skoda Scala (2019 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Skoda Scala
Rating: 65.0

Summary

The Skoda Scala is a mid-sized hatchback that replaces the Rapid in the Skoda range. It was unveiled in late 2018 before going on sale in early 2019. It is built on the same platform that underpins a lot of different Volkswagen Group models, like the similarly-sized VW Golf and SEAT Leon hatchbacks.

The Scala has received generally positive scores from the UK motoring media, but the level of enthusiasm has varied from mildly disinterested to wildly enthusiastic. Most reviews have praised the Scala’s practicality and spaciousness, but criticised the overall lack of refinement compared to its rivals and other Volkswagen Group cars built on the same platform.

In 2023, the Scala was given a small facelift, including a few minor cosmetic changes and an expanded standard equipment list. As of August 2025, the Skoda Scala holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 65%, which is a midfield score for this class.

Scala highlights

Comfortable with neat handling
Spacious rear seating and boot
Attractive pricing
Economical engines

Scala lowlights

Some cheap interior plastics
Rivals are more engaging on the road
Resale values are weaker than average
No diesel options

More Skoda Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £23,500 on-road

Launched: Winter 2018/19
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“Skoda’s family hatch offers a class-leading combination of space, quality, comfort and value.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 9 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Ellis Hyde, Max Adams

“The Skoda Scala offers loads of space and standard equipment for a keen price. If you value a fun drive there are better options, though.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Darren Cassey

More reviews

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol SE L
“The Scala is everything we’ve come to expect from a modern Skoda. It’s good to look at, hugely practical, comfortable and yet the firm’s long-lasting principle of value remains.”
Read review

Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.5 TSI DSG
Score: 7 / 10
“The addition of Skoda’s 1.5 TSI 150 engine and DSG gearbox certainly gives more choice in the Scala range, but even with SE Technology trim’s strong balance between kit and cost, there’s more affordability on offer elsewhere in the Scala line-up.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s easy to compare the Skoda Scala with the Volkswagen Golf, and indeed many will. In truth, however, it’s not a serious alternative. No, where the Scala belongs is as a higher quality, more spacious alternative to cars like the Vauxhall Astra or Hyundai i30.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Skoda Scala is more practical and less expensive than the similarly sized Volkswagen Golf.”
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic SE
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Scala almost feels like a return to the Skoda of old in terms of good, solid, practical and sensible cars, but the Superb and its SUVs do more to move the brand forward.”
Read review

Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SE L
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Scala is basically a VW Golf with another badge – and lots of bells and whistles.”
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Scala surprises little, but is a serious upgrade on the Rapid that went before. But thrilling? No.”
Read review

Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SE
Score: 7 / 10
“If you’re looking for a competent, reasonably efficient, spacious and good value hatchback, then the Skoda Scala could be your answer.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Are you looking for as much car as you can possibly get for as little cash as possible? That’s always been where Skoda has been able to trump most rivals, and so it continues with the Scala. This is one of the roomiest cars in the class, and also one of the most affordable.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“Some might argue that Skoda has perhaps played it a little too safe with the Scala, by producing a decent family hatchback that doesn’t excel or falter in any particular area. However, with the Focus being better to drive, and the Ceed getting the better warranty deal, the Scala feels a little too short on quality to trouble the best in the compact family class.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.5 SE L
“While standard equipment is on a par with rivals, it’s easy to go big on the options.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Another capable addition to the family hatchback class”
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The Sun

“Skoda Scala is a hit with fuss-free looks, value for money, versatile engine range and big practicality.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SE
Score: 7 / 10
“Cool, it is not. But you’ll have the satisfaction that it undercuts its rivals on price while coming with an impressive list of standard equipment, a smart cabin and acres of space.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual SE
Score: 8 / 10
“Sum the Skoda Scala up in three words? Sensible, sensible, sensible. Fun it ain’t, and nor is it particularly exciting, but it does offer space, comfort, easy-going driving manners, and a pleasing lack of pretension. Trouble is, the Octavia’s a better all-rounder, and not that much more expensive.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“A nicely judged hatchback from Skoda. No particular surprises, but then again, you probably weren’t expecting any.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 81%
Safety assist: 76%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of August 2025, the Skoda Scala has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	52 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	123 g/km	B
Diesel models	128 g/km	B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	15	A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£138	A
Year 2	£387	A
Year 3	£659	A
Year 4	£868	A
Year 5	£1,170	A
Overall	£3,222	A

The Skoda Scala is a pretty affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The petrol car’s fuel economy is very good, its insurance premiums are estimated to be quite low, and the Scala’s servicing and maintenance costs are predicted to remain fairly cheap over the course of five years of ownership.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of August 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Skoda Scala to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Scala, we’ll publish the score here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Skoda Scala

Overall ratingE17%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles

Skoda’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).

Buying a used Skoda Scala

If you are purchasing an ‘Approved Used’ Skoda Scala from an official Skoda dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Skoda Scala from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Skoda Scala from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Skoda Scala

2020

2019

Date: March 2020
Recall number: R/2020/086
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2019 to 02/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 3,782
Defect: Due to a fault of the software of the OCU control unit (Online Connectivity Unit), the e-call function may work incorrectly.
Remedy: An update of the software of the OCU control unit has to be carried out.

Date: November 2019
Recall number: R/2019/376
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2019 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 99
Defect: The functions e-call and Info/Service call may not work correctly due to a software fault.
Remedy: The OCU control unit has to be replaced in the affected vehicles.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been two DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Skoda Scala to address different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Skoda dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Scala, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.