Should I buy one?

A big step up from the old Rapid Spaceback it replaced, the Scala is an accomplished family hatchback that – although not a genuine VW Golf or Ford Focus rival – is a serious alternative to the cheaper options in the class. With its revamped 2024 load-out of styling, interior and engine upgrades, the Scala has become an even more appealing option. It majors in space, cabin quality, technology and safety kit, plus the Volkswagen Group connection could draw in customers looking for a cut-price Golf alternative.

Whether that is indeed what you’re looking for, or perhaps you just fancy an upgrade from a supermini, the Scala’s low list price – at the less expensive end of the range, certainly – makes it a surprisingly attainable and desirable option that you should strongly consider. Where its appeal feels less secure is with the pricier models – spending close to £30,000 buys an awful lot of talented alternatives and seems at odds with Skoda’s value-focused ethos. You’ll also find you’ll need to raid the options list for a few key items such as climate control in most models, pushing the price up further.

Our advice? As much as the SE L’s niceties appeal, it’s the mid-range SE that strikes a better balance, particularly when matched with the 1.0-litre 116hp TSI petrol engine and the smooth-shifting DSG automatic transmission. Pick yours in a bold colour at extra-cost and you’ve got a spacious, practical, comfy family hatch that still cuts a dash.

However, if you can afford to spend a little more for a proper family hatch rather than a stretched supermini, we’d advise looking at a Skoda Octavia or our 2024 medium family car of the year, the Honda Civic.