2025 Skoda Scala Select review (video)

The Skoda Scala is a bit of a nonconformist in the Australian car market. Not quite a small hatch in the traditional sense, not quite a budget runabout, and definitely not something you see parked in every third driveway like a Corolla. But that’s kind of its charm – the Scala has carved out its own quiet corner of the road, appealing to drivers who want something a little different, a little roomier, and a little European.

Launched in 2019, the Scala filled the gap left by the Rapid and gave Skoda a proper entry into the small hatch segment. It brought with it a mix of European practicality and understated styling – the kind of car you buy when you want Volkswagen engineering without paying the badge premium. Built on the same MQB A0 platform as the Volkswagen Polo, it’s essentially a Czech-built stretched version with more space.

Fast forward to 2025, where crossover SUVs dominate showroom floors, and hatchbacks in the ‘small’ category are disappearing fast, the Scala is one of the few still standing. But how well does it actually hold up in a market that’s shifted around it? Not well. Just 36 units have been sold in the first three months of 2025, making it the lowest seller among the Corolla, Mazda3, Cerato, and i30 segment.

2025 Skoda Scala Select: Specifications

Engine: 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder
Output: 85kW@5000-5500rpm / 200Nm@2000-3500rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 17×6.5, 205/50
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1295kg
Power-to-weight: 15.23:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 5.4L/100km
Our consumption: 6.4L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 50L/95 RON

Power efficiency: 15.74kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.67 seconds*
0-100km/h: 9.88 seconds*
60-110km/h: 7.96 seconds*
1/4 mile: 17.53 seconds at 132.6km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.602g*
100-0km/h braking: 38.65m in 3.24 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.493g*
Decibel at idle: 38*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 78*
Starting price (drive-away): $33,990

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2025 Skoda Scala Select: How much does it cost?

The Scala 85TSI Select that we have spent a week with is yours for $33,990 (drive-away). It is the cheapest of just two variants. The other being the 110TSI Monte Carlo, which retails from $45,990. The pricing of the Select also sits between its smaller platform twin, the Volkswagen Polo’s Life variant ($30,790), and the Style ($34,790).

Comparing to other popular hatches in this small category, the cheapest Toyota Corolla hybrid is $32,110, cheapest Mazda3 is $31,310, and i30 is $36,000.

All Scalas are supported by an impressive seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and 12 months of free roadside assistance. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever occurs first). But servicing costs are above average for a small hatch. You can purchase a seven-year prepaid plan for $3650 – which also gives you an additional 24 months of roadside assistance. And you can purchase two-year top-up plans for $1000.

2025 Skoda Scala Select: Interior & packaging

Despite this current generation being originally released in 2019, the interior design still holds up reasonably well, thanks to some cosmetic updates. A grey fabric overlay across the dash adds some visual interest, and the front seats are superbly supportive, with decent bolstering and lumbar adjustment in both. A sliding centre console is a clever inclusion too, making customisable comfort.

And of course, Skoda’s trademark in-door umbrella hidey hole. There is a sunglasses holder above, but the centre cupholders are essentially useless for cups – better suited for holding maybe four hard-boiled twist-wrapped lollies if you’re lucky. Take the bigger bottle holders in the doors.

For a car that is related to the Polo, the rear row is surprisingly spacious. You have good legroom and headroom, and big windows provide an open and airy feel. And the presence of rear air vents and a centre armrest are a welcome surprise.

The Scala also punches well above its size further back. A massive 467-litre boot with the seats up, stretching to 1410L with them folded is a class standout. For comparison, the Polo gives you 351L, the Corolla hatch offers 217L, the Mazda3 hatch gives 295L, and the i30 offers 395L.

It’s enough of a difference to actually matter, especially when you’re trying to squeeze in a pram, weekly groceries, and that rogue beach umbrella that never quite fits. Cargo tie-down hooks are also thrown in to secure items down.

Tech-wise, the dual centre and cockpit screens are sharp, but compact, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are highly valued. You also get an eight-speaker sound system. But digital radio, a wireless phone charging pad or any fancy ambient interior lighting are all left out. Some of which are available in rivals.

Then safety, with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, nothing important is omitted. You get forward and rearward collision mitigation and warning with pedestrian monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking distance sensors, lane departure warning with active assistance, driver attention detection, blind-spot sensors, auto headlights, electric folding and heated side mirrors, tyre pressure sensors, and rain-sensing wipers.

Other notable features include LED front and rear lights, dual-zone climate control with a humidity sensor, and keyless proximity entry. But we’re sad to see no adaptive cruise control and a manual pull handbrake taking up valuable real estate.

Even though this generation was launched six years ago, visibly, it still looks contemporary and classy. It helps that it encompasses sharp creases in the panelling, crisp LED lighting all round with fiercely shaped headlights, a balanced blend of chrome and black design elements, and that endearing bubble silhouette not dissimilar to a premium class Audi A3.

2025 Skoda Scala Select: Powertrain & handling

Touted as the 85TSI, the Scala Select comes with the same 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine as the Polo, producing 85kW and 200Nm. Oddly, despite weighing 120kg more than the Polo, it hits 0-100km/h quicker, in a claimed 10.1s vs 10.4s. Magic? Just some Skoda fairy dust. Our 0-100km/h tests saw the sprint conquered in 9.88 seconds.

In everyday driving, its light on its feet and zippy from a stop. It doesn’t feel burdened by its modest engine in city traffic. It actually has a bit of pep. It’s also surprisingly quiet inside, which is rare in this price range. Push the engine hard and it responds with a raspy note that gives it stimulating character.

But all that goodwill takes a hit with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. At low speeds, it’s awkward and hesitant, particularly when inching forward in traffic or navigating tight carparks. There’s also noticeable lag when you’re already rolling along and ask for a bit more power, like pulling out from a side street. It holds a higher gear and requires a firm right foot before it downshifts, which is not ideal in those time-sensitive moments. There are selectable driving modes, and Sport mode helps matters a little. Sadly, manual gearboxes are no longer available. But at least there is no CVT.

The auto stop/start system is also clunky. It takes a fraction longer than rivals to resume, which might not sound like much, but when you’re in the middle of an aggressive Sydney green light sequence, every second matters.

Around town, the fuel economy is respectable. We averaged 6.4L/100km, which is well within the ballpark for efficient small hatchbacks. The official average is 5.4L/100km, which could be achieved on the highway where the Scala settles into a smooth cruise. Though, it does demand the more expensive 95 RON petrol at a minimum. And thanks to a bigger body than the Polo to expand things, the fuel tank grows from 40 to 50 litres, meaning fewer pitstops.

Handling in the Scala is composed and soft-riding, which makes it a comfortable commuter. Tall sidewalls on the 205/50 Nexen tyres help absorb bumps, avoiding the crashy feel of oversized rims. When pushed through twisty bits, the Scala holds on fairly well, but its softer suspension leans more toward comfort than corner-carving aggression. The MacPherson struts and coil springs up front, and the space-saving torsion beam rear axle is carried over from the Polo. Still, for a car this size, it’s sporty enough to be fun, and easy to thread through tight city streets or multi-level carparks.

2025 Skoda Scala Select: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Massive boot: With 467L in the back, the deep boot swallows more than most small SUVs, making it one of the most practical small hatchbacks on the market.
• Refined cabin insulation: The three-cylinder engine is whisper-quiet at cruising speeds, and surprisingly punchy in tone when pushed.
• Zippy around town: Acceleration off the mark feels light and responsive, making it well-suited for city driving.
• Fuel efficient: We saw an average of 6.4L/100km, which is excellent for a petrol hatch.
• Typical Skoda practicality: It’s the little things that win hearts over sometimes; a slidable centre armrest, rear air vents, a sunglasses holder, lumbar support for both front seats, and Skoda’s famous door umbrella hole.

2025 Skoda Scala Select: Key considerations before you buy

• Ageing model: At six years old, the Scala might be nearing the end of its generation lifecycle – and it’s starting to fall behind fresher rivals.
• No radar cruise control: It’s 2025. Such tech is normal now in this price range.
• Powertrain lag and clunkiness: The DSG can be jerky at low speeds and slow to react on the move, and then add in the start/stop system, the whole powertrain is not as smooth as some rivals.
• Lack of variants and options: It’s the Select or the Monte Carlo. That’s it.

2025 Skoda Scala Select: Video